Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
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AfterAmeristar Construction in Reno, CA | Barrett & Sons Construction
We provide independent Ameristar service across Reno, from rooftop curb replacements to full condenser swaps. What makes our Ameristar work different here is simple: we’ve been pulling these units apart in 4,500-ft elevation sun and hard frost since the mid-2010s, so we know exactly which components fail first and why. Call (877) 610-1318 for a free estimate. We’re local, we’re licensed, and we answer our own phone.
Why Reno Residents Choose Us for Ameristar Service
Tom Barrett started this company in 1998, and his sons run the crews today. We’re not a franchise dispatching strangers to your door. When you call about our Ameristar services for a condenser that’s short-cycling or a roof curb that’s leaking, the person who shows up carries the Barrett name and stands behind the work with our written 90-Day Done Right Promise.
We’ve worked on Ameristar residential and light-commercial builds across our Reno service area‘s boom-and-freeze cycle, from the first wave of North Valleys stucco subdivisions to mid-century remodels in Old Southwest. We’re an independent trade partner, not an Ameristar-authorized dealer, which means our recommendations are driven by what actually survives Intermountain West weather, not by factory sales targets.
Every price change arrives on a written change order before work happens. Permits get pulled, inspections get signed, and nobody hands you a surprise invoice at the end. Ask anyone on your street, or look up the license number yourself.
Common Ameristar Construction Problems We Solve in Reno
- UV-brittle caulking and flashing sealant failure around Ameristar roof curbs. Under 300+ sunny days a year, the sealant on curb adapters breaks down after six to eight years. Water finds its way in at the roof penetration, and by the time you see a ceiling stain, the sheathing’s already wet. We strip the old sealant, re-flash with UV-rated materials, and test before we leave.
- Freeze-thaw cracking in concrete equipment pads under Ameristar condensers. In North Valleys and Lemmon Valley, overnight lows dip below 25°F repeatedly all winter. Standard concrete mix heaves and cracks, the pad settles unevenly, and the condenser vibrates itself into refrigerant leaks. We pour frost-resistant pads with proper drainage.
- Improper gasketing on Ameristar curb-mount package units. Commercial buildings in Reno with rooftop package units take a beating during summer construction dust storms. Bad gaskets pull grit into the air stream, clog filters fast, and drive up utility bills. We re-gasket with OEM kits and seal the curb correctly.
- Rust and corrosion on Ameristar gas furnace heat exchangers. Older mid-century homes in Midtown and Old Southwest often have damp crawlspaces. Fluctuating temperatures and that moisture cycle eat at the heat exchanger, which quietly becomes a carbon monoxide risk. We inspect, and if the exchanger’s compromised, we say so plainly.
- Refrigerant leaks at copper-to-aluminum coil joints. South-facing walls in Reno get hammered with UV and thermal cycling. Ameristar’s aluminum coils expand and contract differently than the copper lines, and the joint is the first place to weep. We pressure-test, locate the exact joint, and replace with OEM coils when it’s structural.
Ameristar Service in Reno: What Local Conditions Mean for Your Equipment
There’s a code reality in Reno that doesn’t exist two miles away, and it changes every Ameristar rooftop install. Any new residential or light-commercial permit in the North Valleys, Lemmon Valley, or eastern foothills now falls under Nevada’s Wildland-Urban Interface fire codes. That means mandatory Class A roofing, ember-resistant soffit vents, and ignition-resistant siding. If you’re mounting an Ameristar curb or packaged rooftop unit on one of those builds, the entire roof assembly has to be non-combustible or Class A rated. The curb flashing, the underlayment, the penetrations, all of it has to work with that system. Central Reno permits don’t carry that requirement. So a curb replacement in Lemmon Valley is a different job than the same curb replacement off South Virginia Street. We detail both correctly, because we’ve passed the WUI inspections and we know what the inspector in the North Valleys is going to look for.
We also spec OEM Ameristar curb adapters, gasketing, and gas valve kits when structural integrity or safety is involved. Aftermarket curb kits often fail under Reno Kitchen Remodeling conditions and freeze-thaw roof movement. For wear items like capacitors, contactors, and fan blades, we use quality aftermarket parts rated for 4,500-ft altitude, and we tell owners straight if a 10-year-old Ameristar condenser is worth a $1,200 repair or a full replacement given the local UV exposure.
Ameristar Models & Products We Service in Reno
Our crews work on Ameristar by American Standard residential HVAC systems, including the Silver 14 SEER split-system air conditioners and the M4AC series condensers. For commercial buildings, we service Ameristar roof curb and curb adapter kits for packaged rooftop units, along with the gas furnaces those package units typically pair with.
When a curb adapter needs replacing on a metal roof, the flashing details are completely different than on shingle. We stock common OEM curb kits for fast Reno turnaround, and we order specialty adapters through our independent parts network when the roof profile demands it. That’s the difference between a one-week fix and a three-week ordeal.
Last fall our crew pulled an Ameristar M4AC 3-ton condenser in Old Southwest that had a slow refrigerant leak at the copper-to-aluminum coil joint, likely accelerated by the UV load on a south-facing wall. We ordered the OEM coil replacement, rebuilt the concrete pad with frost-resistant mix, and re-flashed the roof curb on the adjacent packaged unit as part of our Reno Bathroom Remodeling expertise. The system held 410A at proper subcool and the homeowner’s July electric bill dropped noticeably.
Ameristar Service Pricing in Reno
Here are the current price ranges for Ameristar work around Reno. These are line-item ranges from our written estimates, not vague ballparks.
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Roof Repair | $400-$1,800 |
| Roof Replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Metal Roof Installation | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Emergency & Storm Damage | $400-$1,800 |
What drives the cost in Reno specifically: roof access and pitch, the condition of existing curb flashing, whether WUI codes apply to your property, and whether we’re pulling a permit. Every estimate includes a written scope, written allowances, and no trip charge inside the county. Call (877) 610-1318 for an exact quote. Estimates are free.
Serving Reno, NV - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Reno area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs - Ameristar Construction in Reno
If your project requires a permit in the North Valleys, and most curb replacements on commercial or multi-family properties do, then yes. The WUI fire code applies to the roof assembly as a whole, not just the roof covering. We’ll confirm with the building department before work starts, and we’ll write the curb replacement to integrate with your existing Class A or fully non-combustible assembly. Call (877) 610-1318 and we’ll tell you exactly what your property requires.
The elevation. At 4,500 feet, UV intensity is significantly higher than in Las Vegas or Phoenix, and Reno gets 20 to 30 hard-freeze nights per winter. That combination, hot sun all summer followed by genuine frost heave, stresses condenser coils, pads, and electrical connections in a way lower-desert climates never do. We adjust our installs for altitude, from pad mix to refrigerant charge.
We won’t, and here’s why. If the roof under the curb is old built-up roofing with no modern underlayment, you’re creating a weak point in the roof assembly itself. The curb adapter will be sealed to a failing membrane. We’ll recommend reroofing that section first, pulling a permit, and then setting the new curb on a proper substrate. It costs more up front and leaks less later.
At 4,500 feet, a gas furnace needs the burner orifice and gas pressure adjusted for altitude or the combustion is wrong. In a mid-century home with a dirt crawlspace, we also address venting and crawlspace moisture at the same time, because that moisture is what’s eating your heat exchanger. We’ll do a combustion test and a crawlspace inspection and give you a written report on both. Call (877) 610-1318 for a free estimate.
Yes. Metal roofs in Reno’s higher-wind zones move differently than shingle roofs, and the curb adapter has to allow for that thermal expansion and contraction. We spec different flashing details, different gasketing, and in some cases a different curb height for metal. Aftermarket universal curb kits are the worst offenders here. We use OEM Ameristar adapters matched to the roof type.
Service Areas Near Reno
Our work pulls us across northern Nevada, but the Reno service area is home base. If you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Jose and need Ameristar service, our crews can coordinate with trusted local partners there. We also serve Fresno and the Paramount area through our extended network. If you’re outside Reno proper, call and ask, we’ll tell you straight whether we can get a crew to you. We also handle Ameristar service in Houston and Ameristar service in San Antonio through our national referral network.
Book Your Ameristar Service in Reno Today
If your Ameristar unit is acting up, or if you’re planning a build that needs a curb and rooftop package unit done right, call us. We’ll do it right the first time, or we’ll come back and make it right. Free estimates, written change orders, permits when they’re needed. Call (877) 610-1318 today.
Written by Tom Barrett, Owner at Barrett & Sons Construction, serving Reno since 1998.