The average U.S. homeowner spends $2,200 on exposed ductwork costs, but it ranges from $1,600 to $4,800, depending on the project’s scope.
Installing exposed ductwork costs $2,200 on average, although it depends on your house size and the type of ductwork you choose. Most homeowners spend between $1,600 to $4,800, though huge projects sometimes reach as high as $9,000.
However, exposed ductwork is the least expensive type of ductwork to install due to its easy access, making any work done by a professional much less involved.
Exposed ductwork costs less to install than ductwork behind walls or in crawl spaces. Here’s a look at the average cost to install exposed ductwork based on a home’s size.
| Home Size in Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 800 | $1,000–$1,800 |
| 1,000 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| 1,800 | $2,000–$3,200 |
| 2,500 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| 3,000 | $5,000–$8,000 |
The most common type of ductwork material used for exposed ductwork is pressed metal, also called sheet metal, which is aluminum. However, you can increase thermal efficiency and life span by choosing galvanized stainless steel, or save significant money by choosing fiberglass ducts.
Which material you choose will depend largely on your aesthetic preferences and budget.
| Duct Material | Cost per Linear Foot (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| Galvanized Stainless Steel | $7–$14 |
| Non-galvanized Stainless Steel | $5–$11 |
| Aluminum | $3–$9 |
| Fiberglass | $3–$6 |
| Flexible Non-insulated | $1–$3 |
| Flexible Insulated | $2–$5 |
You should hire a professional duct installer near you to set up your exposed ductwork. Your pro may charge a flat rate based on the project’s scope or an hourly rate between $50 and $150 in labor fees.
Installing exposed ductwork isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Some additional costs to consider include:
Exposed ductwork is, well, exposed, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be required to do some light demo work. If some of your ductwork disappears behind drywall, you will need to remove it. Any non-loading beams or other features suspended from the ceiling may need to be removed. To adequately prep the space for work, it needs to be clean and free from obstruction.
Your pro may need to do some additional repairs while installing your exposed ductwork. Some complications that may contribute to your project’s overall cost include:
Sealing ductwork: $300–$900
Fixing noisy ductwork: $80–$400
Asbestos removal: $450–$2,200
You’ll most likely need a permit to do any HVAC work. To avoid any permit penalties, check with your municipality or have your contractor verify what’s necessary.
Just because ductwork is exposed doesn’t mean it’s easy to access. Take a loft with high ceilings, for example. The ductwork is right there, but it may require persistent work 15 feet or more off the deck. Anyone doing the work will need a sturdy ladder and a head for heights.
Crawl spaces often have exposed ductwork but the spaces are small and difficult to work in. Expect to pay a premium of 30% or more for complicated access.
Like many jobs, if you DIY, you’ll save labor costs—but your time costs money, too, don’t forget. Exposed ductwork can be done by a handy DIYer, but it isn’t advised. You’d save, on average, around $1,600 in labor costs, but you’ll lose out on professional expertise and building compliance.
It’s best to work alongside a local duct installer to learn the ropes while reducing the labor cost. Before undergoing this, though, check with your heating and air conditioning company, as doing the work yourself may void your appliance’s warranty.
Replacing ductwork is the more expensive option, but it can make sense in certain scenarios. It’s a long-term solution that directly tackles any mold or biological growth, ensuring clean air in the house. Another reason to simply replace is if the exposed ductwork is old or damaged, and fixing it will take longer and be more expensive than just ripping it out and reinstalling it. You may also get bulk deals when replacing your entire ductwork.
Repairing exposed ductwork makes sense if only a section of the ductwork is damaged, or if the reaper is superficial, like sealing ducts. Repairs are less expensive, faster, and usually don’t require any demo or prep work. This results in a much less disrupted living space. However, you don’t want to stick a bandaid on any real problems, so talk with a pro to make sure a repair is good enough for the problem.
Repairs can often be expensive and sometimes fixing the problem is more of a hassle than replacing. Remember that if a repair exceeds 50% of what it would cost to replace, you’re better off just replacing it.
There are two major factors to focus on when trying to save money: labor and materials. Labor can be negotiated down if you follow some of the tips below:
Hire a contractor when they aren’t busy with other work (usually fall and spring).
Shop around and gather quotes.
Take referrals from friends and family.
See if you can work alongside and do some of the manual labor yourself.
However, these only address the human hours required. What about saving money on materials? Some creative ways to save a few bucks are:
Use recycled material.
Shop around for the best deals.
Don’t settle for 10% off. Try to get 20% or more via discount codes.
Check with contractors and see if they have leftover materials.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Exposed ductwork needs to be sealed in order to ensure optimal efficiency as well as protect the home. Leaking air ducts aren’t just hard on your wallets by increasing electricity bills, but can cause moisture buildup in walls that leads to mold and other growths. The good news is you can DIY ductwork sealing, and many handy DIYers have found it a solid weekend project.
The best-looking exposed ductwork is often made of sheet metal. It works great with an industrial loft vibe but can be an eyesore if, for example, you were to install it in an old Tudor home. You can paint exposed ductwork a neutral color that matches the walls. While it won’t cover it up like a wall would, it will be less harsh than if you were to leave it metallic.
Exposed ductwork can sweat just like ductwork placed behind walls, sometimes even more so. Ductwork sweats—like a cold drink on a hot day—because of a temperature imbalance between the air in the duct and the air in the room. In a crawl space or wall, this temperature can equalize faster due to the small space but in lofts and open rooms, that wouldn’t happen as quickly. Many people insulate their ducts for this reason.
There are a few key symptoms of failing ductwork. The first is one you feel—if one room is boiling and the other is freezing, you may have a ductwork problem. High energy bills are another telltale sign something is wrong with your HVAC system. If you feel off or are coughing for no reason over a long period of time, you can learn how to test for mold. Unfortunately, it commonly affects ductwork. Other signs like visible damage or leaking vents should be addressed as soon as you notice them.
No, not all houses have ducts. It would be safe to say, however, that most modern houses do. The reason is that older houses had boilers in the basement that heated from the bottom up and often vents weren’t built into the house. Another reason is that older homes don’t have air conditioning (because it didn’t exist) and use radiators for heating. Since radiators don’t require ductwork, it wasn’t built.
