HVAC
Furnace Replacement: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Removing a gas, propane or electric furnace and installing a new appliance with the venting, gas connection and electrical work required to bring the installation up to current code.
Model reviewed August 2026
Typical cost
$6,100
$3,200 – $11,500
per 1,000 BTU of output
$45 – $130
Permit
Required
$60 – $350
Timeline
1 day of work
1 day of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting and inspection
Do you need a permit for furnace replacement?
Yes
Furnace Replacement is permitted and inspected work in essentially every jurisdiction. Typical fees run $60 to $350. A licensed contractor generally has to pull the permit.
What drives the cost
- Input rating in BTU and the efficiency tier selected
- Condensing (90%+) furnaces requiring new PVC venting and a condensate drain
- Gas line resizing or a new sediment trap and shutoff
- Plenum, duct transition and filter cabinet modifications
- Access in a tight closet, crawlspace or attic
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | required |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $60 – $350 |
| Licensed contractor required | Usually yes |
| Owner-builder allowed | Yes, on owner-occupied homes |
| Inspections | Gas line / combustion inspection, Final mechanical inspection |
| Timeline | 1 day of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting and inspection |
| DIY difficulty | 5/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Signed permit application
- • Mechanical contractor license and insurance
- • Furnace model number and input rating
- • Venting and combustion air details for the new appliance
Furnace Replacement cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $5,300 – $19,200 | +67% |
| Los Angeles | $4,500 – $16,200 | +41% |
| Miami | $4,100 – $14,800 | +28% |
| Chicago | $4,100 – $14,600 | +27% |
| Phoenix | $3,300 – $11,900 | +4% |
| Dallas | $3,200 – $11,600 | +1% |
| Houston | $3,300 – $11,700 | +2% |
| Tampa | $3,500 – $12,500 | +8% |
| Denver | $3,700 – $13,200 | +15% |
| Orlando | $3,300 – $12,000 | +4% |
| Atlanta | $3,300 – $11,700 | +2% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $3,900 – $14,200 | +23% |
Furnace Replacement across the country
National pricing, state-by-state pricing, and the tools behind both.
Frequently asked questions
Does a furnace changeout need an inspection?
Yes in most jurisdictions. Combustion appliances are inspected for venting, combustion air and gas connections, and the permit is typically not closed until that inspection passes.
Is a high-efficiency furnace worth the extra cost?
It depends on how many heating hours the climate produces and the local fuel price. In cold climates the fuel saving usually repays the difference; in mild climates it often does not.
Do I need a permit for furnace 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 furnace replacement take?
1 day of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting and inspection. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are input rating in btu and the efficiency tier selected; condensing (90%+) furnaces requiring new pvc venting and a condensate drain; gas line resizing or a new sediment trap and shutoff.
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.