Commercial kitchen exhaust hood prices typically range from $5,000 to $30,000 installed, while large or complex systems can exceed $50,000. The total depends on hood type and length, duct routing, fire suppression, makeup air equipment, and local code requirements.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type I hood system installed | $5,000 | $15,000 | $35,000+ | For grease-producing cooking; scope varies by duct and suppression |
| Type II hood system installed | $2,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 | For heat, steam, or moisture without grease-laden vapors |
| Commercial hood equipment | $1,500 | $5,500 | $15,000+ | Equipment-only pricing, often $200-$1,000 per linear foot |
| Fire suppression system | $1,500 | $3,500 | $7,000 | May be quoted separately or bundled with a Type I system |
| Makeup air unit | $2,000 | $6,000 | $15,000+ | Equipment and installation depend on capacity and heating |
What a commercial kitchen hood costs by type and size
A small, standard Type I hood system for a restaurant may cost $5,000-$12,000 installed. A medium system with a 10- to 14-foot hood, ductwork, exhaust fan, controls, and fire suppression commonly totals $12,000-$25,000. Large kitchens, long duct runs, rooftop work, or extensive makeup air can bring the project to $25,000-$50,000 or more.
Type I hoods capture grease and smoke from equipment such as fryers, ranges, and grills. Type II hoods handle heat and moisture from equipment such as dishwashers or ovens that do not produce grease-laden vapors. A basic Type II installation can run $2,000-$8,000, though long ductwork or a complicated ceiling may raise the bill.
Equipment-only quotes are not directly comparable with installed bids. A stainless-steel canopy may be priced around $200-$1,000 per linear foot before fans, ducts, electrical work, suppression, permits, and installation. Assumptions: U.S. commercial kitchen, standard stainless-steel construction, ordinary access, and no major structural reconstruction.
For a typical restaurant, budgeting $12,000-$25,000 for a complete Type I system is a more useful starting point than comparing hood-only prices.
How stainless hoods, fans, and ductwork appear in quotes
A complete quote may combine equipment, installation, and code-related work in one lump sum. Requesting a line-item estimate helps show whether the contractor included the exhaust fan, roof curb, makeup air, suppression, electrical connections, permit fees, and final testing. Costs below are typical allowances, not universal add-on prices; some bids include these items in the main system total.
| Quote component | Typical price | Pricing basis | Common scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hood canopy | $1,500-$8,000 | $200-$1,000 per linear ft | Stainless hood, filters, and lights; size and gauge affect price |
| Exhaust fan and controls | $800-$4,000 | $500-$2,500 per fan | Fan, speed control, curb, or related accessories |
| Ductwork and roof termination | $1,500-$8,000 | $50-$150 per linear ft | Grease duct, enclosure, access panels, and roof work |
| Fire suppression | $1,500-$7,000 | $200-$600 per protected ft | Design, nozzles, cylinder, hookup, and acceptance test |
| Makeup air equipment | $2,000-$15,000+ | $2,000-$8,000 equipment-only | Air unit, heating options, controls, and connections |
| Permits and inspection | $300-$2,500 | Per project | Local plan review, mechanical permits, and inspections |
These ranges can overlap because contractors package materials and labor differently. For example, a hood line item may include filters and lights but exclude the fan, while another bid may combine both. Confirm whether taxes, freight, lifting equipment, roof patching, electrical work, and fire-system testing are included.
Compare identical scopes and capacities, not just the final total or the price of the canopy.
Hood length, exhaust capacity, and cooking line change the price
Hood length is a major equipment and ductwork driver. A 6- to 8-foot hood over a compact line generally costs less than a 12- to 20-foot hood serving several appliances. As a rough equipment benchmark, standard fabricated hoods may cost $200-$1,000 per linear foot; custom dimensions, heavier construction, integrated lights, and special finishes can push the rate higher.
Exhaust capacity is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. A small application may need roughly 1,000-2,000 CFM, while a heavy-duty line may require 3,000-6,000 CFM or more. Higher airflow can require a larger fan, bigger duct, stronger electrical service, and more makeup air. Local code and appliance arrangement determine the design, so CFM should not be selected from a price chart alone.
Type I systems cost more than Type II systems because grease-rated ductwork, filters, fire suppression, and required clearances add scope. A line with multiple fryers, charbroilers, or open-flame appliances may require more intensive protection than a steam-producing dishwasher under a Type II hood. An existing approved duct route can reduce work; a new route through occupied floors or a long roof run can add thousands.
Length, appliance duty, and required CFM should match the engineered design before bids are compared.
Roof routes and building conditions can add thousands
A straight duct run through a nearby roof is usually simpler than routing through multiple floors, tight ceiling cavities, or a historic building. For planning, ductwork may add $50-$150 per linear foot, but grease-rated construction, fire-rated enclosures, access doors, and structural supports can push difficult installations beyond that range.
Roof penetrations may require a curb, weatherproofing, structural review, and coordination with a landlord or building manager. A crane or lift for rooftop equipment can add approximately $500-$3,000, depending on access, equipment weight, and local rental rates. Cutting or reinforcing a roof, relocating utilities, or enclosing duct through a building can add $1,000-$10,000 or more.
Makeup air is another frequent source of change orders. Exhausting large volumes without replacing the air can create negative pressure, affect doors, and interfere with heating or cooling. A makeup air unit may cost $2,000-$15,000 or more installed, particularly when it needs a gas heater, long connections, or additional controls.
Before accepting a low bid, verify that it includes the actual duct route, roof work, lifting, and required replacement air.
Installation hours and contractor rates affect the final bill
A straightforward replacement using an existing compliant duct route may take a small crew one to three days. A new installation involving roof work, makeup air, suppression, and inspections can take several days to two weeks of on-site work, with additional time for engineering, fabrication, and permit approval. Construction schedules and inspection availability can extend the calendar timeline.
Commercial mechanical contractors commonly charge about $75-$150 per labor hour, while specialized fire-suppression technicians may charge roughly $90-$175 per hour. Rates vary by metro area, union requirements, after-hours work, and crew qualifications. Labor is often bundled into the bid, so hourly figures are useful for understanding scope but are not a reliable substitute for a complete fixed-price quote.
Example: 48-80 combined crew hours at $90-$140 per hour equals about $4,320-$11,200 in labor before equipment, permits, and specialty work.
Ask for the planned crew size, workdays, and included trades when two installation estimates differ substantially.
Regional labor and permit differences shift hood budgets
Prices in major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas can run 15%-35% above a national middle-range estimate. Higher commercial labor rates, stricter plan review, traffic restrictions, and limited rooftop access may all contribute. Smaller cities and rural markets can come in 10%-20% below a comparable urban quote, though travel charges or fewer local specialists may reduce the savings.
Permit and inspection costs depend on the municipality and project scope. A simple mechanical permit may cost a few hundred dollars, while plan review, building modifications, electrical permits, and multiple inspections can bring combined fees to $1,000-$2,500 or more. Fire suppression work may require separate approvals and an acceptance test.
These percentages are comparison guidelines, not guaranteed regional prices. A rural project requiring a contractor to travel, rent a crane, or source specialized equipment may cost more than a standard suburban installation. In a dense city, rooftop work and limited delivery access can matter more than the quoted hourly rate.
Use local bids and permit requirements to adjust national ranges rather than treating one city’s quote as a universal benchmark.
Three restaurant hood quotes with different project scopes
A compact 8-foot Type I system for a small grill and fryer line might include a standard hood, fan, 15 feet of duct, suppression, and installation. At roughly $250-$500 per hood foot for equipment and ordinary connections, plus labor and protection, a reasonable project budget is about $9,000-$16,000.
A 12-foot Type I system serving a busier line could include a larger fan, 25 feet of grease duct, rooftop curb, suppression, and a makeup air connection. At approximately 2,500-4,000 CFM, the overall installed quote may fall around $18,000-$32,000, especially when roof access and electrical work are included.
A 20-foot hood in a new build with 40 feet of duct, heated makeup air, fire-rated enclosure, crane placement, and full suppression may reach $35,000-$60,000 or more. These examples assume ordinary equipment selection and no major structural rebuilding; expensive metropolitan labor or an unusual route can increase them.
| Example scope | Approximate system | Estimated installed total | Why the range changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small grill and fryer line | 8 ft, 1,500-2,500 CFM | $9,000-$16,000 | Short duct route, standard suppression |
| Mid-size restaurant line | 12 ft, 2,500-4,000 CFM | $18,000-$32,000 | Longer duct, makeup air, roof work |
| Large new-build kitchen | 20 ft, 4,000-6,000+ CFM | $35,000-$60,000+ | Custom scope, crane, enclosure, heated air |
Use these examples to test whether a quote fits its equipment size and building work, not as fixed national package prices.
Choose repair, replacement, or upgrades by hood condition
Replacing a fan motor, belt, switch, or control can cost approximately $250-$1,500, depending on the part and service call. A fan replacement may run $800-$3,500 installed, while replacing filters or lights is generally less expensive. Repair is often economical when the hood, duct, suppression, and controls remain compliant and in good condition.
Replacing only the canopy may not solve an undersized exhaust system or a failed grease duct. If the existing duct is the wrong size, damaged, or noncompliant, partial replacement can leave the kitchen with continuing performance or inspection problems. A licensed contractor should inspect the entire path and confirm that any retained equipment works with the new design.
Premium stainless finishes, remote fan controls, variable-speed options, and upgraded lighting can add cost. Each upgrade should have a specific operational or code purpose. For example, reducing unnecessary custom fabrication may save money, while removing required suppression or selecting inadequate exhaust capacity can create costly safety and compliance issues.
Repair is most cost-effective when the existing system is safe, correctly sized, and accepted by local officials.
Keep a new hood installation within budget
Define the cooking appliances and hood length before collecting bids. Changing from a 10-foot line to a 14-foot line after design can affect the fan, duct, suppression layout, makeup air, and electrical load. Provide each contractor with the same appliance schedule, floor plan, roof details, and desired scope so quotes can be compared fairly.
Ask whether existing ductwork, roof penetrations, and fire suppression can be reused after inspection and approval. Reuse may reduce demolition and materials, but only if the system is correctly sized, cleanable, structurally sound, and code-compliant. Confirm in writing which parts are retained and who is responsible if an inspection rejects them.
Schedule the work during planned kitchen downtime instead of requesting emergency or overnight installation. Grouping hood, duct, electrical, and suppression work can reduce repeated mobilization charges, though separate licensed trades may still be required. Get at least three itemized quotes and compare exclusions, warranties, permit responsibility, testing, and disposal.
Allow a contingency of about 10%-15% for concealed conditions such as blocked shafts, damaged roof decking, or electrical upgrades. That reserve is not a contractor fee; it is a budget cushion for conditions that cannot be confirmed before work begins. Avoid using contingency funds for optional finishes until required ventilation and fire protection are covered.
The most reliable savings come from controlling the design, verifying reusable infrastructure, and preventing scope changes after permits are submitted.