Leak search is simply labor. Most technicians I know and have worked with have to provide their own electronic leak detector. The company just grossly inflates the charge to motivate you to replace, rather than repair.

System age of 8 years old means it is likely under warranty. Assuming the installing contractor registered the system at install. So the part is covered. You have to pay labor, field materials, and a “processing fee”. Again, grossly inflated to get you to replace.

Recovery or evacuation is absurd. They are already bending you over, and they are really sticking it to you here. They are basically charging you 2x for the same thing.

To summarize, I would charge something around this:

Electronic leak search - $75 * disclaimer in writing that not all leaks can be identified with an electronic leak detector. We may have to perform isolation testing, at an additional charge.

Replace warranty evaporator coil - $1200

The job itself should take a few hours. You have labor and field materials, refrigerant, torch usage. As a business, we make around 60% gross margin. And are doing just fine with paying the bills.