HVAC
Ductwork Replacement: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Replacing leaking or mold-contaminated attic ductwork. which is why this is a permitted, inspected job.
Model reviewed August 2026
Typical cost
$5,400
$2,500 – $12,000
per supply run
$250 – $600
Permit
Required
$90 – $320
Timeline
1-3 days of work
1-3 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting
Do you need a permit for ductwork replacement?
Yes
Ductwork Replacement is permitted and inspected work in essentially every jurisdiction. Typical fees run $90 to $320. A licensed contractor generally has to pull the permit.
What drives the cost
- 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
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | required |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $90 – $320 |
| Licensed contractor required | Usually yes |
| Owner-builder allowed | Rarely |
| Inspections | Duct rough-in, Duct leakage test, Final mechanical inspection |
| Timeline | 1-3 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting |
| DIY difficulty | 5/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Mechanical permit application
- • HVAC contractor license
- • Duct leakage test report
Ductwork Replacement cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $4,200 – $20,100 | +67% |
| Los Angeles | $3,500 – $16,900 | +41% |
| Miami | $3,200 – $15,400 | +28% |
| Chicago | $3,200 – $15,200 | +27% |
| Phoenix | $2,600 – $12,500 | +4% |
| Dallas | $2,500 – $12,200 | +1% |
| Houston | $2,600 – $12,200 | +2% |
| Tampa | $2,700 – $13,000 | +8% |
| Denver | $2,900 – $13,800 | +15% |
| Orlando | $2,600 – $12,500 | +4% |
| Atlanta | $2,600 – $12,200 | +2% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $3,100 – $14,800 | +23% |
Ductwork Replacement across the country
National pricing, state-by-state pricing, and the tools behind both.
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.