Cost engine
How much does ductwork replacement cost?
National price ranges for ductwork replacement, the unit pricing contractors quote from, and what the same job costs across local markets.
Model reviewed August 2026
Ductwork Replacement cost
$2,500 – $12,000
Most homeowners pay around $5,400 for ductwork replacement, or $250–$600 per supply run. Permit fees add $90–$320.
Estimate your job
Run your own numbers before scrolling — the same engine behind the ranges below.
Recommended size
5 tons
Round to the nearest half ton
- Cooling load
- 61,000 BTU/hr
- Typical equipment costInstalled, 14-17 SEER2
- $8,500 – $16,000
- Rule-of-thumb check
- 400 sq ft per ton
Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.
What homeowners reported paying
Invoice amounts submitted by homeowners nationwide, shown beside the model.
Price breakdown
| Budget scope | $2,500 |
|---|---|
| Typical project | $5,400 |
| Premium / complex | $12,000 |
| per supply run | $250 – $600 |
| Permit fees | $90 – $320 |
| Timeline | 1-3 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting |
What drives the price
- Number of supply and return runs
- Flex duct versus rigid sheet metal
- Attic access and clearance
- Return air sizing corrections
- Removal of contaminated duct board
Cost by state
The same scope priced through each state's labor, material and code load.
Most expensive states
Least expensive states
Ductwork Replacement runs about 89% more in Hawaii than in Mississippi for an identical scope — almost entirely a labor and code-load difference.
State benchmark table
Low, typical and high ductwork replacement pricing in every state, from the same model as the ranges above.
| State | Low | Typical | High | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $4,100 | $8,900 | $19,800 | +65% |
| California | $3,500 | $7,600 | $16,900 | +41% |
| Alaska | $3,400 | $7,300 | $16,200 | +35% |
| New York | $3,400 | $7,200 | $16,100 | +34% |
| Massachusetts | $3,300 | $7,100 | $15,700 | +31% |
| District of Columbia | $3,200 | $7,000 | $15,500 | +29% |
| New Jersey | $3,200 | $6,900 | $15,300 | +27% |
| Connecticut | $3,100 | $6,700 | $14,800 | +23% |
| Rhode Island | $3,000 | $6,500 | $14,500 | +21% |
| Washington | $3,000 | $6,500 | $14,400 | +20% |
| Oregon | $3,000 | $6,400 | $14,200 | +19% |
| Maryland | $2,900 | $6,300 | $13,900 | +16% |
| Illinois | $2,800 | $6,100 | $13,600 | +13% |
| Colorado | $2,800 | $6,000 | $13,300 | +10% |
| New Hampshire | $2,800 | $6,000 | $13,300 | +11% |
| Florida | $2,700 | $5,900 | $13,100 | +9% |
| Nevada | $2,700 | $5,900 | $13,000 | +9% |
| Delaware | $2,700 | $5,800 | $12,800 | +7% |
| Maine | $2,700 | $5,800 | $12,800 | +7% |
| Minnesota | $2,700 | $5,800 | $12,800 | +7% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,700 | $5,800 | $12,900 | +8% |
| Vermont | $2,700 | $5,800 | $12,900 | +8% |
| Virginia | $2,700 | $5,700 | $12,700 | +6% |
| Arizona | $2,600 | $5,500 | $12,300 | +2% |
| Montana | $2,500 | $5,500 | $12,200 | +1% |
| Wisconsin | $2,500 | $5,400 | $12,000 | 0% |
| Idaho | $2,400 | $5,300 | $11,700 | -2% |
| Louisiana | $2,400 | $5,300 | $11,700 | -2% |
| Michigan | $2,500 | $5,300 | $11,900 | -1% |
| North Dakota | $2,500 | $5,300 | $11,800 | -2% |
| Texas | $2,400 | $5,300 | $11,700 | -2% |
| Utah | $2,500 | $5,300 | $11,900 | -1% |
| Wyoming | $2,500 | $5,300 | $11,800 | -2% |
| Georgia | $2,400 | $5,200 | $11,500 | -4% |
| New Mexico | $2,400 | $5,200 | $11,500 | -4% |
| Indiana | $2,300 | $5,100 | $11,200 | -6% |
| North Carolina | $2,400 | $5,100 | $11,400 | -5% |
| Ohio | $2,400 | $5,100 | $11,400 | -5% |
| South Carolina | $2,400 | $5,100 | $11,300 | -6% |
| Alabama | $2,300 | $5,000 | $11,000 | -8% |
| Missouri | $2,300 | $5,000 | $11,000 | -8% |
| Tennessee | $2,300 | $5,000 | $11,000 | -8% |
| Iowa | $2,300 | $4,900 | $11,000 | -9% |
| Kentucky | $2,300 | $4,900 | $10,900 | -9% |
| Nebraska | $2,300 | $4,900 | $10,900 | -9% |
| South Dakota | $2,300 | $4,900 | $10,900 | -9% |
| Arkansas | $2,200 | $4,800 | $10,600 | -11% |
| Kansas | $2,200 | $4,800 | $10,800 | -10% |
| Oklahoma | $2,200 | $4,800 | $10,600 | -11% |
| West Virginia | $2,200 | $4,800 | $10,700 | -11% |
| Mississippi | $2,200 | $4,700 | $10,400 | -13% |
Cost by city
Same scope, adjusted for local labor, material and permit pricing. Each city also has a permit page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for ductwork replacement?
In most jurisdictions this work is permitted and inspected. Requirements are set locally, so confirm the current application and inspection checklist with your building department before work starts.
How long does ductwork replacement take?
1-3 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are number of supply and return runs; flex duct versus rigid sheet metal; attic access and clearance.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.
