Step 1 — Normalise the price  

Divide the annual price by (number of indoor units × scheduled visits). That single calculation removes most of the apparent difference between quotes and usually reveals that the cheap quote simply included fewer visits.

Quote C looked cheapest and is the most expensive per unit of work delivered. Figures are illustrative.

Step 2 — Align the scope

Put both per-visit checklists side by side and mark any item present in one and absent in the other. The items that matter most in Dubai: drain pan and line flushing, evaporator coil cleaning, condenser coil cleaning, refrigerant pressure measurement, electrical testing, and recorded temperature differential. Use our inclusions checklist as the reference list.

Step 3 — Check the six numbers

• Scheduled visits — a number and a calendar, not "up to"
• Units covered — indoor units counted and listed
• Response time — stated window for breakdowns, including peak season
• Out-of-scope labour rate — AED per hour, in writing
• Parts discount — percentage, in writing
• Contract term and notice period — length, cancellation, renewal

Step 4 — Check the provider, not just the paper

A quote is only as good as the company behind it. Verify the trade licence covers AC works, confirm technicians are in-house, and ask for the workmanship warranty period. Our nine-point guide to choosing an AC maintenance company covers the full due-diligence list.

Step 5 — Sanity-check against the market

Compare your normalised figure against current market ranges, which run roughly AED 800–2,500 per year per unit in Dubai depending on system type and visit frequency. A quote far below that band is signalling reduced scope, and one far above it should come with a clear reason — ducted access, central plant, or a commercial SLA. Full ranges are in our AC maintenance contract price guide.

A one-page comparison template

Build a simple table with one column per quote and these rows: annual price, indoor units, scheduled visits, price per unit per visit, drain line flushing, coil cleaning, refrigerant check, electrical testing, service report, response time, labour rate, parts discount, term, notice period, licence verified, warranty. Fill it in before any sales call and the decision usually makes itself.