Ductwork Replacement Cost Calculator & Price Guide

Ductwork is the network of metal, fiberglass, or flexible tubes that carries heated and cooled air from your HVAC equipment to each room. Contractors price a replacement mostly by how many linear feet of duct they remove and install, then adjust for the duct material, where the ducts run, and how hard they are to reach.

The tables below show price by duct length, by price per linear foot, by duct type, and by home size, so you can match the one closest to your situation. Figures come from This Old House and ConsumerAffairs, with check dates of Oct 13, 2026 and Oct 13, 2026.

Measure by length if you can. A 100-foot run is listed at $1,600 – $1,900, and a 500-foot system is listed at $7,800 – $9,300. The 200-foot row, $3,100 – $3,700, is the closest match to a modest single-story home with a simple layout.

You will not know your exact duct length until a contractor inspects the system. Ducts that branch to many rooms, run through an attic, or loop around obstacles add length that does not show on a floor plan. Ask the contractor to give you the estimated linear footage in writing, so you can compare quotes on the same basis.

Per-foot pricing makes quotes easier to compare, because it removes the effect of house size.

This Old House puts replacement at $16 – $19/linear ft. ConsumerAffairs reports $25 – $55/linear ft. The two sources do not agree, and the gap may come from the duct material, whether insulation is included, and whether the figure covers removal of the old ducts.

Material changes the price. Flexible duct is lighter and easier to route, while sheet metal is rigid and more labor-intensive to fit.

Insulated flexible duct runs $2 – $4/linear ft. Fiberglass duct runs $4 – $6/linear ft. Sheet metal duct runs $7 – $13/linear ft. The source does not say how much labor, fittings, and registers these rates include, so confirm that with a contractor before you compare a quote with these numbers.

If you do not have a footage estimate, home size gives a rough starting point.

A home under 1,000 square feet is listed at $1,500 – $3,000. A home between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet is listed at $3,000 – $5,000. Homes above 2,000 square feet are listed at $5,000 – $8,000 or more. Two homes of the same size can still differ a lot, since ducts in an open attic may be easier to work on than ducts buried behind finished ceilings.

Replacement quotes sometimes leave out items that show up later on the bill.

Permits are listed at $250 – $1,500, and the amount depends on local code. New insulation around the ducts is listed at $800 – $2,000. Ask whether the quote includes disposal of the old ducts, sealing at the joints, and any repair to drywall or ceilings that the work disturbs.

• Total duct length. More feet means more material and more labor.
• Duct material. Flexible, fiberglass, and sheet metal ducts have different prices and different installation effort.
• Access. Ducts in a crawl space, tight attic, or finished wall cost more to remove and replace.
• Layout changes. Rerouting ducts, adding returns, or resizing runs to suit new equipment adds design work.
• Insulation. Ducts that pass through unconditioned space are normally insulated, which adds to the total.
• Hazards. Mold or old insulation found during removal may call for separate remediation work.
• Permits and inspections. Local rules decide whether you need them and what they cost.

The two sources in this guide measure the job differently. One prices a specific length of duct. The other gives a single average for a typical house.

This Old House reports $3,100 – $3,700 for a 200-foot replacement. ConsumerAffairs reports an average near $3,500. A house that needs less duct than the average will land lower, and a house that needs more will land higher. Compare quotes with the same footage and the same material.

Not every duct problem calls for full replacement. Leaks at joints, a disconnected run, or a crushed section can often be sealed or repaired. Replacement makes more sense when the ducts are widely damaged, contaminated, undersized for new equipment, or no longer properly connected to the vents.

If you suspect leaking ducts, ask a contractor to inspect the system and explain what they found before you agree to full replacement. A good estimate names the sections that need work and why.

Duct replacement affects airflow, comfort, and the safety of your HVAC equipment. A licensed contractor sizes the new ducts for your equipment, seals the joints, and handles permits and inspections. Poorly sized or leaky ducts can undercut the performance of a new furnace or air conditioner. Ask for the contractor's license and proof of insurance, and get at least two written quotes.

• How many linear feet of duct will be replaced, and in what material?
• Does the price include insulation, sealing, registers, and permits?
• Who removes and disposes of the old ducts?
• Will the contractor size the ducts to match the equipment?
• How long will the system be out of service?
• What warranty covers the work?