Ventilation and Exhaust Fan Cost: HVAC Contractor Pricing Guide
HVAC contractors should charge $250-$600 for bathroom exhaust fan installations, $400-$1,200 for range hood venting, $1,500-$3,500 for whole-house fan installations, and $2,000-$5,000 for ERV/HRV systems. New installations with ductwork cost 40-60% more than replacements. Ventilation work offers 50-65% margins and pairs well with other HVAC services.
Ventilation work is a natural extension of HVAC services that many contractors overlook. Bathroom fans, range hood venting, whole-house fans, and mechanical ventilation systems all fall within the HVAC skill set and generate strong margins with relatively short installation times. As building codes increasingly require mechanical ventilation in new and remodeled homes, this service category is growing steadily.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation Pricing
Bathroom exhaust fan work falls into two categories: replacement and new installation. Replacement (existing fan in the same location): wholesale fan cost $30-$150 depending on CFM and features (light, heater, humidity sensor). Installation takes 30-60 minutes — disconnect old fan, remove housing, install new fan, connect wiring, and test. Total to homeowner: $250-$400. New installation (no existing fan): requires cutting ceiling opening, installing the fan housing, running duct to an exterior wall or roof vent, wiring to a switch, and installing the vent cap. Materials run $75-$250 (fan, duct, vent cap, wire, switch). Labor takes 2-4 hours depending on attic access and duct routing. Total: $400-$800. Premium bathroom fans with humidity sensors, LED lighting, Bluetooth speakers, or heating elements cost $150-$400 wholesale and command higher installed prices of $400-$900. Offer these as upgrades: "For $150 more, this fan automatically turns on when humidity rises from showering and has a built-in LED light."
Range Hood and Kitchen Ventilation Pricing
Range hood venting is an increasingly common job as homeowners upgrade kitchens and building codes mandate exterior venting for gas ranges. Vent installation for a wall-mounted range hood with a direct exterior wall penetration: $400-$800 including ductwork, wall cap, and labor (2-3 hours). Vent installation for an island range hood requiring a ceiling/roof run: $800-$1,500 including longer ductwork, roof penetration, and weather cap. This takes 3-5 hours due to the extended duct run. Inline fan installations for ducted range hoods where the fan is mounted in the attic for quieter operation: $600-$1,200 including the inline fan ($150-$350), ductwork, and electrical. Converting a recirculating range hood to ducted exterior venting: $500-$1,000 depending on the route to the exterior. Always use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct for range hood venting — flexible duct is a fire hazard and code violation for grease-laden exhaust. Verify that the duct diameter matches the range hood outlet (typically 6-8 inches) and that the run does not exceed manufacturer maximum length with equivalent duct lengths for elbows.
Whole-House Fan Installation Pricing
Whole-house fans are powerful ventilation systems that pull cool evening and morning air through the home and exhaust hot air through the attic, reducing AC usage by 50-90% during mild weather. Traditional whole-house fans mount in the ceiling between the living space and attic and require significant attic ventilation (typically 1 sq ft of net free area per 750 CFM). Wholesale cost: $300-$800 for the fan unit. Installation takes 3-6 hours: cut the ceiling opening, frame the opening, mount the fan, wire to a dedicated switch or timer, seal around the fan, and verify adequate attic ventilation. Total to homeowner: $1,500-$3,000 for traditional models. Modern insulated-damper whole-house fans (QuietCool, Centric Air) cost $400-$1,200 wholesale and offer dramatically quieter operation plus insulated dampers that prevent heat loss when the fan is not running. Total installed: $2,000-$3,500. These premium models are easier to sell because they address the two biggest homeowner objections: noise and winter energy loss through the fan opening.
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV/HRV) Pricing
ERV and HRV systems provide controlled mechanical ventilation while recovering 70-85% of the energy from the exhaust air stream. ERVs transfer both heat and moisture (ideal for humid climates), while HRVs transfer heat only (ideal for cold, dry climates). Residential ERV/HRV units (100-200 CFM) cost $500-$1,500 wholesale. Installation involves connecting the unit to the existing duct system or installing dedicated fresh air and exhaust ducts, running intake and exhaust ductwork to the building exterior, wiring the controls (often integrated with the HVAC thermostat), and balancing the airflow. Installation takes 4-8 hours depending on duct routing complexity. Total to homeowner: $2,000-$5,000. ERV/HRV systems are increasingly required by code in new construction and energy-efficient retrofits. They are also an excellent upsell for homes with indoor air quality complaints, excessive humidity, or new windows and insulation that have tightened the building envelope. Building science knowledge helps sell these systems — explain that modern homes are "too tight" without mechanical ventilation.
Commercial and Kitchen Ventilation Pricing
Commercial ventilation work — particularly restaurant kitchen exhaust — is a lucrative specialty. Commercial kitchen exhaust hood systems include the hood, duct, exhaust fan, makeup air unit, and fire suppression system. A complete system for a small restaurant costs $8,000-$25,000 depending on hood length, CFM requirements, and duct routing. HVAC contractors typically handle the hood, ductwork, and fan, while the fire suppression system is installed by a licensed fire protection contractor. Commercial exhaust fan replacements are simpler: a rooftop upblast exhaust fan costs $500-$2,000 wholesale with 3-6 hours of labor for replacement. Total: $1,500-$5,000. Makeup air units (MAUs) supply tempered fresh air to replace the air exhausted by the kitchen hood. MAU installations run $5,000-$15,000 depending on capacity and tempering (heated and/or cooled air). Commercial ventilation requires knowledge of local codes, fire ratings, and UL 762 listed duct construction. Consider this a specialty worth developing if you operate near commercial food service districts.
Selling Ventilation Services
Ventilation work pairs naturally with other HVAC services, making it easy to add to your offerings. During maintenance visits, inspect existing bathroom fans and note those that are noisy, non-functional, or venting into the attic (a moisture and mold risk). "Your bathroom fan is venting into the attic, which can cause mold growth on the roof sheathing. I can reroute it to the exterior for $300-$500." During system installations, check that the home has adequate ventilation, especially after any weatherization work. New insulation and air sealing can trap moisture and pollutants if ventilation is not addressed. Package ventilation with air quality products — a bathroom fan upgrade plus an ERV installation plus a media filter cabinet creates a comprehensive IAQ solution at $3,000-$6,000. This is an attractive package for health-conscious homeowners. List ventilation services on your website and Google Business Profile to capture search traffic from homeowners searching for "bathroom fan installation near me" or "range hood venting" — these are high-intent, low-competition keywords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bathroom fan replacements cost $250-$400. New installations with ductwork run $400-$800. Premium fans with humidity sensors, LED lights, or heaters cost $400-$900 installed. New installations take 2-4 hours due to ceiling cutting, duct routing, and wiring. Replacements take 30-60 minutes.
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