Ductwork Replacement Cost Calculator — Free Estimator
This ductwork replacement cost calculator estimates what it costs to replace the ducts in your home — based on home size, duct material (flexible, insulated flex, ductboard, or sheet metal), how accessible the runs are, and your local labor market. Use it to budget a full or partial reduct before you collect quotes, or to sanity-check the duct replacement prices you already have.
Replacing the system too? Price the equipment with the Replacement Cost Calculator, and size the new runs with the Duct Size Calculator.
Describe the ductwork job
Estimated ductwork replacement cost
Typical mid-point
$6,150
Per linear foot
$28
See the breakdown
National 2026 ballparks for budgeting — duct, fittings, insulation, sealing, and labor included. Your local line-item quotes are the real number; use this to sanity-check them.
Typical ductwork replacement costs (quick reference)
National installed-price ranges for a full-home reduct with moderate access. Flexible duct sits at the low end; rigid sheet metal at the high end.
| Home size | Est. duct length | Flex / insulated | Sheet metal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | ~110 ft | $2,400 – $3,100 | $4,800 |
| 1,500 sq ft | ~165 ft | $3,600 – $4,600 | $7,300 |
| 2,000 sq ft | ~220 ft | $4,800 – $6,200 | $9,700 |
| 2,500 sq ft | ~280 ft | $6,200 – $7,800 | $12,300 |
| 3,000 sq ft | ~335 ft | $7,400 – $9,400 | $14,700 |
Ranges reflect typical 2026 national pricing for residential jobs and vary by material, access, region, and site conditions. Always compare multiple line-item quotes.
The formula, explained in plain English
Ductwork pricing comes down to one thing: how many feet of duct, at what installed rate per foot — then scaled for how hard the job is and what labor costs in your area.
Why home size drives the price
More square footage means more supply runs, returns, and trunk line — so duct length, not equipment, is the main cost lever in a reduct.
Why material matters
Flex is fast to install and cheapest; rigid sheet metal costs roughly double per foot in labor and fabrication, but lasts longer and cleans easier.
Access is the hidden multiplier
Duct buried in a tight attic or low crawlspace can add 25% in labor versus an open basement — it's the biggest surprise in real reduct quotes.
Why a ±15% range?
Fitting count, sealing method, register quality, and drywall or insulation repairs genuinely vary between homes. A range is honest; a single number isn't.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ductwork replacement pricing.
How much does it cost to replace ductwork?
Replacing the ductwork in a typical home runs about $3,000 to $8,000 installed, with most full-home jobs landing near $6,000. The number scales with the amount of duct (driven by home size), the material, how hard the runs are to reach, and your local labor rates.
How much does ductwork cost per linear foot?
Installed duct typically costs $20 to $45 per linear foot — flexible duct at the low end, insulated flex in the middle, and rigid sheet metal at the top. The calculator above multiplies your estimated duct length by a per-foot rate, then adjusts for access and region.
Why is replacing ductwork so labor-intensive?
Most duct lives in attics, crawl spaces, and tight chases — so the cost is mostly labor: demolishing old runs, fabricating and hanging new ones, sealing every joint, and balancing airflow. Hard-to-reach systems can add 25% or more versus an open basement install.
Is it worth replacing old ductwork?
Often, yes. Leaky, undersized, or crushed ducts can waste 20–30% of the air your system moves, causing hot and cold rooms and high bills. If ducts are sound, sealing and minor repairs (a few hundred to ~$2,000) are far cheaper than full replacement — replace when the layout is wrong, the duct is damaged, or you're upsizing the system.
Should I replace ductwork when replacing the AC or furnace?
Doing both at once saves on labor and lets the installer size the ducts to the new equipment. Price the equipment with the HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator, and confirm the new duct diameters with the Duct Size Calculator.
What should a ductwork replacement quote include?
A complete quote covers removal and disposal of old duct, new duct and fittings, insulation, sealing (mastic or UL-181 tape), registers and grilles, and airflow balancing. Watch for exclusions like drywall repair, asbestos abatement on very old systems, or returns added to fix airflow — line-item quotes make those easy to spot.
Quoting a reduct job? Price it line by line in seconds.
This page gives homeowners a budget — TradesQuote gives contractors the winning quote. Describe the duct runs, registers, and access (or upload photos), and our AI builds a line-item estimate: materials, labor, sealing, and disposal, with quantities and unit prices validated by a built-in quality control agent.
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