AC ductwork costs about $2,000-$7,500 for a typical whole-home installation or replacement, with an average near $4,500. The final price depends on the home’s size, duct material, number of runs, access, labor rates, and whether old ducts need removal or repairs.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-home ductwork | $2,000 | $4,500 | $7,500 | Typical accessible home, installed |
| Installed ductwork per linear foot | $10 | $20 | $35 | Varies by material and access |
| Small duct repair | $150 | $400 | $1,000 | Sealing, patching, or reconnecting |
| Old duct removal | $300 | $800 | $1,500 | May cost more in tight spaces |
What a typical home AC duct replacement costs
A contractor may charge $2,000-$7,500 to replace ductwork in a 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot home with standard access and a conventional layout. A straightforward project often lands around $3,500-$5,500. New duct installation where none exists, or work involving difficult attic or crawl-space access, can exceed $8,000.
Installed pricing commonly runs $10-$35 per linear foot. Flexible duct generally costs less than rigid sheet metal, while insulated, custom-sized, or hard-to-route sections increase the quote. Per-foot rates are useful for comparing materials, but whole-home estimates also include boots, plenums, connections, balancing, and setup.
For a standard replacement, budget about $4,500 before unusual access, removal, or repair charges. Assumptions: typical U.S. labor rates, standard duct materials, an existing central AC system, and no major structural changes.
How duct materials, labor, and removal shape the quote
Quotes should identify what is included rather than list only one total. The ranges below are common planning figures; contractors may bundle labor and materials differently, so the line items are not necessarily additive.
| Work item | Materials | Labor | Equipment | Permits | Delivery/Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible duct runs | $500-$2,000 | $700-$2,200 | $50-$250 | $0-$300 | $100-$500 |
| Sheet-metal duct runs | $1,000-$3,500 | $1,000-$3,000 | $100-$400 | $0-$300 | $150-$600 |
| Registers, boots, and plenum work | $200-$900 | $250-$1,000 | $0-$200 | $0-$100 | $0-$150 |
Labor often accounts for a substantial share of the estimate. A small, accessible replacement may take a two-person crew 1-2 days; a larger or obstructed job can take 3-5 days. For a labor-only comparison, applies; HVAC labor commonly works out to roughly $75-$150 per worker-hour, depending on location and trade specialization.
Ask whether the estimate includes duct sealing, airflow testing, disposal, and reconnecting every register. Missing items can make an apparently low quote more expensive once the work begins.
Why square footage and duct layout change the price
Home size is a starting point, not a complete sizing method. A 1,000-square-foot home with a simple layout may need fewer runs than a similarly sized home with additions, multiple floors, or distant rooms. Contractors should size the system for heating and cooling loads and plan the duct routes rather than price solely by square footage.
Run length and access also matter. A 10-foot accessible branch is generally less costly than a 30-foot route that crosses finished ceilings or tight framing. If a job needs more than about 150-200 linear feet of duct, several trunks, or extensive transitions, the quote can move into the upper range. Sheet metal, insulation thickness, and the number of supply and return openings can further shift material and labor totals.
Long runs, constrained access, and a high register count are common reasons a quote exceeds a basic per-foot estimate. Confirm the proposed duct size, approximate linear footage, number of supply registers, and return-air plan in writing.
How long duct installation takes and what crews charge
Accessible work in an unfinished basement or attic may be completed in 1-2 days. Replacing ducts inside finished walls or ceilings can require extra trades, patching, and coordination, extending the schedule to several days or longer. A crew may charge more when work requires confined-space precautions, multiple mobilizations, or a return visit for testing.
Some estimates include a flat labor amount; others show a crew rate or hourly charge. At $75-$150 per worker-hour, a two-person crew working 16-32 combined hours represents roughly $1,200-$4,800 in labor value before materials and other charges. The actual quote may not use hourly billing, so this formula is a comparison tool, not a guaranteed invoice calculation.
Clarify the expected workdays and whether ceiling or drywall repair is included. HVAC contractors often exclude finish carpentry and painting even when access openings are needed.
Regional ductwork prices from rural homes to major cities
Labor markets and travel distances create meaningful geographic differences. As a rough comparison, quotes in lower-cost rural markets may run 10%-20% below the national planning range, while dense high-cost metro areas can run 15%-30% above it. These differences are not fixed: local demand, building codes, access, and contractor availability can outweigh the regional average.
For example, a $4,500 standard estimate could be about $3,600-$4,050 in a lower-cost market or $5,175-$5,850 in a high-cost metro area before project-specific changes. Older homes in cities may also require extra routing or code-related corrections, while rural projects may carry travel or minimum-service charges.
Compare quotes from contractors serving the same local market and using the same scope. A lower base price may not be cheaper if it excludes removal, sealing, permits, or airflow checks.
When sealing or repairing ducts costs less than replacement
Minor repairs often cost $150-$1,000, depending on the number of leaks, location, and whether damaged insulation must be replaced. Sealing accessible joints may cost a few hundred dollars, while replacing a short branch or correcting a disconnected run can cost more. Duct cleaning is a separate service and does not fix leaks or undersized ducts.
Replacement is more likely to be justified when duct sections are crushed, mold-contaminated, poorly sized, or deteriorated across much of the home. If only one or two accessible sections are damaged, ask for a repair price alongside a replacement quote. A professional assessment can distinguish duct problems from equipment issues such as a clogged filter or blower fault.
Compare the repair scope with the cost of replacing only the damaged runs before approving a full system of ducts.
Ways to lower a whole-home ductwork quote
Request itemized bids using the same duct material, approximate footage, register count, insulation, removal, and testing requirements. Comparing at least three local estimates makes it easier to spot omitted work or unusually high labor charges. Ask the contractor to separate required repairs from optional upgrades such as adding returns or changing the layout.
Keeping the existing route where it is correctly sized can reduce demolition and labor. Clearing stored items from attic or basement access, scheduling non-emergency work during a less busy period, and combining duct replacement with planned HVAC work may reduce mobilization costs. Avoid choosing solely by the lowest per-foot rate if it excludes connections, sealing, or balancing.
The most controllable savings usually come from limiting unnecessary rerouting and comparing identical written scopes. Do not cut needed insulation, airflow testing, or code-required work just to lower the initial price.