Ductwork replacement costs $1,400 to $5,600 for most homes, while new installation in a home without ducts runs $2,400 to $6,600.2 Per linear foot, expect $10 to $25 for new work (Angi) and $25 to $55 for replacement including removal (HomeGuide).12 Thumbtack’s project data shows most people paying around $924 for typical replacement jobs.4 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on linear footage, material, accessibility (attic vs. crawl space), and whether old ducts must come out.
$924
most people pay, Thumbtack
$3,500
average replacement, HomeGuide
$4,000
average install, Angi
$10 – $55
per linear foot, Angi / HomeGuide
Quick math: the averages span $924 to $9,293 because they measure different jobs. Thumbtack’s $924 is a typical partial replacement; Fixr’s $9,293 prices a whole-house system for a 2,500 sq. ft. home with 275 linear feet — and its own per-foot math reproduces the full range exactly (275 × $5.22 to $62.36).34 The average home has about 100 linear feet of ductwork (HomeGuide), so $25 to $55 per foot lands at $2,500 to $5,500 — right inside HomeGuide’s $1,400 to $5,600 replacement range, our arithmetic.2
Cost per linear foot
| Work type | Per linear foot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New installation | $10 – $25 | Angi |
| Replacement (incl. removal) | $25 – $55 | HomeGuide |
| New install / retrofit | $40 – $65 | HomeGuide |
| Small jobs (insulated, materials + light labor) | $4 – $19 | Thumbtack |
| Per duct run (replacement) | $270 – $500 | HomeGuide |
HomeGuide’s replacement rate runs roughly double its new-work rate because it includes tearing out the old ducts — Thumbtack puts removal alone at $1,242 on average.24 Labor alone runs $50 to $150 per hour (Angi) or $83 to $151 (Fixr), sometimes $5 to $15 per linear foot on larger jobs.13
Cost by home size
| Home size | Ductwork length | Cost (Angi) | Cost (HomeGuide replacement) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 sq. ft. | 80 – 120 lin. ft. | $2,000 – $3,000 | $1,400 – $3,400 |
| 1,500 – 2,500 sq. ft. | 120 – 180 lin. ft. | $3,000 – $5,000 | $2,100 – $5,600 |
| 2,500 – 4,000 sq. ft. | 180 – 300 lin. ft. | $5,000 – $7,500 | $3,500 – $9,000 |
| 4,000+ sq. ft. | 300+ lin. ft. | $7,500 – $12,000+ | — |
Both size tables track the per-foot rates: 120 linear feet at $10 to $25 is $1,200 to $3,000, our arithmetic — matching Angi’s mid-size band.12
Cost by material
| Material | Per lin. ft. (Angi) | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible duct | $5 – $10 | Cheap, easy in tight layouts; can sag or tear |
| Fiberboard | $8 – $15 | Affordable; less durable, lower efficiency |
| Fiberglass-lined | $10 – $20 | Quiet, pre-insulated; can trap dust |
| Sheet metal | $12 – $25 | Most durable, lowest leakage; heavier, harder to fit |
Fixr’s regional per-foot data agrees on the ordering: flexible duct is the budget option ($5.22 to $20.76 retrofitted), galvanized sheet metal the premium one ($19.51 to $58.95).3
Cost by location
| Location | Replacement cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| Basement | $1,800 – $3,100 |
| Mobile home | $1,000 – $3,300 |
| Attic | $2,200 – $5,600 |
| Crawl space | $3,000 – $7,300 |
Access drives the ordering: open basements are cheapest, crawl spaces priciest — and contractors recommend cleaning or encapsulating a crawl space before new ducts go in.2 Exposed ductwork runs $10 to $33 per linear foot.2
Add-ons and related work
| Item | Cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| Duct inspection (for quotes) | $40 – $100 |
| Home energy audit | $200 – $500 |
| Adding a vent to existing ducts | $250 – $500 |
| Duct insulation | $800 – $2,000 |
| Permits | $50 – $300 (Angi) |
Worked examples
Example 1 — replace 100 ft in an accessible basement. 100 × $25 to $55 = $2,500 to $5,500, our arithmetic; HomeGuide’s basement band ($1,800 to $3,100) sits at the easy-access end.2
Example 2 — retrofit a 1,500 sq. ft. home with no ducts. $2,400 to $6,600 (HomeGuide) or $2,000 to $3,000 (Angi size table) for 80 to 120 linear feet.12
Example 3 — partial replacement, one zone. 3 to 4 duct runs × $270 to $500 = $810 to $2,000, our arithmetic — exactly Thumbtack’s $470 to $1,815 typical band.24
FAQ
Replace or repair? Sealing leaks is a fraction of replacement; full replacement makes sense when ducts are 15-plus years old, crushed, moldy, or badly sized, our judgment. Get the $40 to $100 inspection first (HomeGuide).2
Do new ducts come with a new HVAC system? Not automatically — ductwork is usually quoted separately from the unit itself (Angi).1 See our HVAC replacement cost guide.
Flexible or sheet metal? Flex for tight attics and budgets; sheet metal for durability and airflow. Many jobs mix both: metal trunks, flex branches (Angi).1
Can I install ductwork myself? Full systems are pro work (load sizing, code, sealing); sealing accessible joints with mastic or foil tape is a legitimate DIY weekend, our judgment.
How long does installation take? One to four days for most homes depending on access and footage, our estimate from the labor rates involved.1
DIY shopping: duct sealant and foil tape (plain link, no affiliate relationship) — sealing leaky joints is the highest-value DIY duct job; sizing and installing runs is pro work.
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Install Ductwork? (2026 data).
- HomeGuide, How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace Ductwork? (2026).
- Fixr, How Much Does It Cost to Install Ductwork? (regional per-foot data).
- Thumbtack, Air Duct Replacement Cost (2026 project data).
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