How much of that is supply and demand and how much of that is regulatory capture making the industry a misshapen pyramid where the few license holders at the top can just rake in the money?
Their rates for other stuff (e.g. refill refrigerant, service AC, replace compressor) were much more reasonable.
They actually connected all the wiring after I ran it for 1/10th of the cost of running it, despite taking the same amount of time as I did to run it.
But I also don't doubt that many people (high COL area) will just end up paying the price.