It is the logistical question every homeowner asks: “Do I need to take the whole day off work?”
At Integrated Trade Services, we respect your time. Whether you are squeezing air conditioning installation in between school runs or taking a rostered day off to oversee the project, you need a clear timeline.
While every home in Brisbane is unique, we can give you a very accurate estimate based on the type of system you are installing.
The Quick Answer (Estimated Timelines)
| Installation Type | Typical Duration | Staff on Site |
| Standard Split System (Back-to-Back) | 3 – 5 Hours | 1–2 Technicians |
| Multi-Head Split System (2–4 Rooms) | 1 Full Day | 2 Technicians |
| Ducted Air Conditioning (Single Storey) | 1 Full Day | 2–3 Technicians |
| Ducted Air Conditioning (Double Storey) | 2 Days | 2–3 Technicians |
| Switchboard Upgrade (If required) | + 4 Hours | (Done concurrently) |
Split Systems: The “Half-Day” Job
For most standard bedroom or living room units, the process is surprisingly quick.
The Scenario: You are installing a single wall-mounted unit in a single-storey home. The outdoor unit is being placed on the ground directly behind the wall where the indoor unit sits (a “back-to-back” install).
The Timeline:
- 0–1 Hour: Site check, laying down drop sheets, and drilling the main hole through the wall.
- 1–3 Hours: Mounting the indoor unit, running the copper pipes and drain, and setting up the outdoor compressor.
- 3–4 Hours: Electrical connection (this is where our dual-trade license speeds things up) and vacuuming the lines to remove moisture.
- Final Hour: Testing, demonstrating the remote control to you, and cleaning up.
Verdict: You can usually work from home with minimal disruption, or take a half-day off.
Ducted Systems: The “Major Project”
Installing ducted air conditioning is a construction task, not just an appliance install. It involves working in your roof cavity, cutting holes in ceilings for vents, and running significant electrical cabling.
The Scenario: A full-home ducted system in a standard Brisbane low-set brick home.
The Timeline:
- Morning (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM): The team arrives. We load the equipment into the roof space (often removing roof tiles to get the main unit in). The electricians begin upgrading the power supply while the installers cut the vent holes in each room.
- Mid-Day (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM): This is the noisy part. We are running flexible ducting through the ceiling spiderweb and mounting the return air grille.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): The outdoor unit is connected. We perform the “commissioning” process—balancing the airflow to ensure the baby’s room isn’t freezing while the lounge room is hot.
Verdict: Plan for a full day. For large double-storey homes where we have to run droppers through wardrobes or wall cavities, this will extend to a second day.
The “Hidden” Time Killers
Sometimes, a 4-hour job turns into an 8-hour job. Here are the most common reasons why:
The Switchboard Surprise (+2 to 4 Hours)
If your switchboard needs an upgrade to handle the new load, this adds time.
- Competitor Approach: They stop work, tell you to call an electrician, and leave. You are left with a half-installed air con for days.
- The Integrated Trade Services Approach: Because we are licensed electricians, we can often perform the switchboard upgrade on the same day as the install. We simply allocate more time to the booking.
Difficult Access (+2 Hours)
If your outdoor unit needs to be mounted on a high wall bracket (requiring ladders/scaffolding) or if the roof space is extremely tight (common in flat-roof extensions), everything takes longer.
Rain (Reschedule)
We can work inside during the rain, but we cannot legally or safely do electrical work on the outdoor unit in the wet. In typical Brisbane summer fashion, if a storm rolls in at 2 PM, we may need to return the next morning to finish the final outdoor connections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the power be off the whole time?
No. For a standard split system, we usually only need to isolate the power for about 20–30 minutes while we connect the new circuit to the switchboard.
Note: If you are getting a full switchboard upgrade, the power will be off for roughly 4 hours. We will warn you well in advance so you can charge your devices and keep the fridge closed.
Do I need to be home?
We prefer you to be there at the start (to confirm exactly where you want the indoor unit and outdoor compressor) and at the end (so we can show you how to use the controller). You are welcome to pop out during the middle of the day, provided we have access to the site.
Can you install on weekends?
We understand that taking time off work is hard. We do offer limited weekend installation slots, though these fill up quickly in summer. Ask us about availability when you request your quote.
We Don’t Rush, We Plan.
The fastest installation is the one done right the first time.
We might take an extra 30 minutes to vacuum your carpet or ensure the conduit is perfectly straight, but we won’t cut corners on safety or the vacuuming of your refrigeration lines (which ensures the unit lasts).
Want a precise time estimate?
When we quote your job, we give you a fixed price and a realistic time window.Get a quote today and get your cool comfort scheduled.