Ductwork Replacement Cost (2026): Per Foot & by Home Size

HomeGuide puts replacement at $1,400 to $5,600 on average, or $25 to $55 per linear foot including removal. Angi's national average is lower at $1,250, with most jobs between $452 and $2,181.

Cost by home size

Home size	HomeGuide	Angi
1,000 – 1,500 sq ft	$1,400 – $3,400	$1,200 – $2,500 (1,000 sq ft)
1,500 – 2,000 sq ft	$2,100 – $4,500	$1,600 – $3,500 (1,500 sq ft)
2,000 – 2,500 sq ft	$2,800 – $5,600	$2,000 – $4,500 (2,000 sq ft)
2,500 – 3,000 sq ft	$3,500 – $6,700	$2,500 – $5,500 (2,500 sq ft)
3,000 – 3,500 sq ft	$4,200 – $7,800	$3,000 – $7,000 (3,000 sq ft)

Per foot and per run

Item	Cost	Source
Replacement, per linear foot	$25 – $55	HomeGuide
New ductwork incl. removal, per linear foot	$10 – $25	Angi
Replacement, per duct run	$270 – $500	HomeGuide
New install in a home without ducts, per linear foot	$40 – $65	HomeGuide
New install in a home without ducts, total	$2,400 – $6,600	HomeGuide

Cost by material

Material	Material only (HomeGuide)	Installed per foot (Angi)
Flexible, non-insulated	$1 – $3	$10 – $18 (flexible)
Flexible, insulated	$2 – $4	–
Fiberglass / fiberboard	$4 – $6	$13 – $30
Sheet metal	$7 – $13	$15 – $25

Cost by location

Location	Cost (HomeGuide)
Mobile home	$1,000 – $3,300
Basement	$1,800 – $3,100
Attic	$2,200 – $5,600
Crawl space	$3,000 – $7,300

Sealing and repair instead

Option	Cost (HomeGuide)
Minor repairs	$200 – $700
Manual duct sealing	$400 – $1,900
Aerosol (Aeroseal) sealing	$1,300 – $2,700
Duct wrap insulation	$800 – $2,000

Angi lists duct repair at $300 to $1,000.

Other costs

Item	Cost (Angi)
Labor	$50 – $150 per hour
Permits	$50 – $400
Design and airflow balancing	$200 – $600
Post-installation inspection	$100 – $300
Site prep and cleanup (if billed separately)	$150 – $500

Replace ducts with the HVAC system?

If you are replacing the furnace or AC, ask for a duct quote at the same time. See HVAC replacement cost.

When ducts need replacing

Ducts are old, damaged, crushed or disconnected.
Rooms are uneven in temperature or get little airflow.
Ducts leak air into attics or crawl spaces.
Duct insulation is falling apart.
A new HVAC system needs different duct sizing.

Duct types

Flexible ducts are common in attics; they are quick to install but restrict airflow if crushed or poorly supported.
Sheet metal ducts last longer and offer smooth airflow.
Duct board (fiberglass board) is used in some systems.

What affects the price

Size of the home and number of runs.
Duct material.
Access: attics, crawl spaces and finished basements.
Whether the work includes design changes for better airflow.
Insulation and sealing.

Repair vs. replacement

Sealing leaks with mastic or approved tape and reconnecting loose runs can fix many problems. Replacement makes sense when the ducts are deteriorated, poorly designed or undersized.

Questions to ask

Will you do a Manual D duct design?
How will the ducts be sealed and insulated?
Will you test for leakage afterward?

In Texas

Ducts in Texas homes often run through attics that get extremely hot in summer. Leaky or poorly insulated attic ducts lose a lot of cooling before it reaches the rooms, which makes sealing and insulation especially important.

How to tell if your ducts are the problem

Ducts are often out of sight, so problems go unnoticed. Common signs include:

Some rooms are much hotter or colder than others.
Weak airflow from certain vents.
Higher energy bills without a change in use.
Dust that comes back soon after cleaning.
Visible damage, like crushed, torn or disconnected ducts in the attic or crawl space.
Musty odors, which can point to moisture or mold in the ducts.

A duct inspection or a duct leakage test can confirm whether the ducts need repair or replacement.

Duct leakage testing

A duct leakage test pressurizes the duct system with a calibrated fan and measures how much air escapes. It shows how leaky the system is, which helps decide whether sealing is enough or replacement is needed. Some energy programs and building codes require leakage testing on new or replaced ductwork.

Sizing and design

Replacing ducts is a chance to fix design problems. A Manual D duct design calculation sizes the ducts for each room based on the system's airflow and the home's load. Ducts that are too small restrict airflow and cause noise, while oversized ducts lose air speed and deliver air poorly. Adding return air paths, fixing long runs and reducing sharp bends can improve comfort and efficiency.

Insulation and location

Ducts in unconditioned spaces like attics and crawl spaces lose heat in winter and gain heat in summer. Properly insulated ducts reduce these losses. In hot climates, attic ducts can get extremely hot, so insulation and sealing make a large difference in AC efficiency.

What the job involves

The crew removes the old ducts, installs the new trunk lines and branch runs, connects them to the supply and return vents and the HVAC unit, and seals the joints with mastic or approved tape. The ducts are insulated where needed, and the system is tested for airflow and leakage. Old ducts are hauled away.

Timing with HVAC replacement

If you are replacing your HVAC system, evaluating the ducts at the same time makes sense. A new, efficient system connected to leaky or undersized ducts will not perform as designed.

Flex duct, sheet metal and duct board

Flexible duct is quick to install and common in attics, but it must be stretched tight and supported properly, because sags and kinks restrict airflow. Sheet metal ducts are durable and smooth inside, which helps airflow, but cost more to install. Duct board, made of rigid fiberglass, is insulated and quiet but can be damaged more easily. Many systems use a mix: sheet metal trunks with flexible branch runs. Ask the contractor what they plan to use and why.

Questions to ask contractors

Will you do a duct design calculation for each room?
Will the new ducts be sealed with mastic and tested for leakage?
What insulation level will attic or crawl space ducts get?
Are new registers, grilles and return paths included?
How will you protect the house during the work, and is cleanup included?

City	Businesses listed	Avg. Google rating	Total reviews
Houston	464	4.7	72,003
Dallas	121	4.8	26,510
San Antonio	200	4.7	63,399
Austin	108	4.8	39,568
Fort Worth	99	4.7	25,658
El Paso	66	4.5	11,208

Ductwork Replacement Cost