Quick answer: Commercial HVAC for a tenant improvement in Los Angeles typically costs $8–$25 per sq ft installed, depending on whether you’re reusing existing rooftop units or installing new ones. A 3,000 sq ft retail or office space usually runs $30,000–$75,000. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) coordinates HVAC as part of commercial build-outs across Greater Los Angeles.
HVAC is one of the most consequential line items in a commercial tenant improvement — it drives permit timeline, energy code compliance, and whether the existing rooftop equipment can be reused or has to be replaced. Getting the HVAC scope right early prevents the most common cause of TI schedule slips: discovering mid-project that the existing system can’t support the new occupancy.
The standard for retail, office, and light-industrial spaces. Self-contained heating and cooling in a single rooftop unit, ducted down into the space. Most cost-effective when an existing RTU can be reused or right-sized rather than replaced.
Indoor air handler with an outdoor condenser, used where roof access or structural loading limits a rooftop unit — common in ground-floor retail in older buildings.
Used for spaces with varied zone needs — medical and dental offices, multi-tenant office suites — where different rooms need independent temperature control and precise ventilation.
Before pricing new equipment, we assess whether the existing rooftop unit can serve the new use. Three things typically force a replacement rather than reuse:
| Space Type | Typical Cost Range | Key Driver |
| Standard retail/office (reusing existing RTU) | $8–$14/sq ft | Ductwork modification, controls |
| Standard retail/office (new RTU) | $15–$22/sq ft | New equipment + install |
| Medical/dental office | $18–$30/sq ft | Higher ventilation and filtration requirements |
| Restaurant/commercial kitchen | $20–$35/sq ft | Makeup air, exhaust hood coordination |
| Warehouse/light industrial | $5–$12/sq ft | Larger volume, lower conditioning demand |
See our guides to medical & dental office build-outs, restaurant & commercial kitchen build-outs, and warehouse & light-industrial build-outs for the full scope on each space type.
Any new or replaced commercial HVAC system in Los Angeles requires a mechanical permit and must meet Title 24 energy code, including minimum efficiency ratings and, in many cases, economizer requirements for larger units. Change-of-use tenant improvements often also trigger a full mechanical plan check rather than an over-the-counter permit. APLA handles the full permitting process, including LADBS coordination.
HVAC is frequently the long-lead item on a commercial TI. New rooftop units can have 4–8 week manufacturer lead times, so we order equipment as soon as scope is locked — before permits are even approved — to avoid it becoming the schedule bottleneck.
Sometimes, if the new use has similar or lower ventilation demands and the equipment is in good condition and under roughly 15 years old. We assess the existing system’s capacity against your specific occupancy during the estimate.
For a straightforward RTU replacement, 1–2 weeks once equipment arrives on site. Factor in 4–8 weeks of equipment lead time if new units are required — we start that process early to protect your overall TI schedule.
This depends on your lease’s TI allowance and HVAC responsibility clauses. Many commercial leases place base-building HVAC on the landlord and tenant-specific modifications on the tenant. We can help you understand what your scope covers once you share your lease terms.
Yes. Commercial kitchens require dedicated makeup air systems coordinated with exhaust hoods, in addition to standard space conditioning — a different scope than a typical retail or office TI. See our restaurant build-out guide for details.
Yes. APLA Construction holds California Contractor License #1136359, covering commercial HVAC installation as part of general contracting and tenant improvement work.
APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) coordinates HVAC as part of commercial tenant improvements across Greater Los Angeles — retail, office, medical, restaurant, and light-industrial spaces under 10,000 sq ft.
Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359