Standard ceiling fan installation costs $249 on average, but ranges between $144 and $354, depending on the number of fans, lights, and wiring.
Bringing a cool new look to your home? A new ceiling fan comes with a price tag between $85 and $639 without complex wiring. With labor included, the average cost to install a ceiling fan is around $249 for most breeze-seeking homeowners. Your project will fall on the higher end if adding your new fan involves a challenging installation. See what your actual cost might be with our quick guide.
Unless you already know how to install a ceiling fan, you’ll have to factor installation labor costs into your budget for this project. Let's cover some of the costs of getting a fan to fit perfectly on your ceiling.
While installing more than one fan is more expensive, bundling installations can save you money on labor, time, and materials in the long run if you're doing a larger makeover. Why is that?
When charging hourly fees, most electricians include travel costs for the first hour only. It’s also less costly to run wires in the same room because you're only opening one set of holes for both of your new fans. You can also use one set of switches with a single box for both fans.
One of the biggest factors affecting ceiling fan installation costs is the amount of wiring that needs to be to be installed, if any.
| Wiring Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic, wiring in | $100–$500 |
| Basic, no wiring | Up to $2,000 |
| Fan and light combo | $100–$300 |
| Switches | $100–$200 |
| Remote control fan | $150–$300 |
If you're replacing a ceiling fan, you may be able to simply attach the new fan to the same wiring. If this is the case, professional installation costs between $100 and $500.
Starting with a blank canvas? Adding wiring where no ceiling wiring exists means your electrician will have to start from scratch by opening up walls, running wires, installing boxes, and hooking up your junction box. This is a big job that might cost up to $2,000.
If you're replacing a light and fan combo with a new one, there's a good chance you won't need to add new wiring. If you're replacing an ordinary light or fan with a new fan-light combo, be prepared to pay between $100 and $300 for the extra wiring necessary.
If you've decided to install your new fan on your existing lightbox, you may not be able to have your fan and light on the same switch. To fix this, you’ll need to learn how to wire a ceiling fan with two switches or ask your electrician to sync the power switches by running another line, adding a bigger box, and installing the switches. Expect to add another $100 to $200 on top of installation costs for this very convenient touch.
If you don't mind spending another $150 to $300, you can purchase a fan with its own remote control that allows you to control your light and fan speed at the same time. While this is often an alternative to paying to have your wiring switched around by an electrician, it's a temporary fix.
Labor costs $50 to $200, depending on whether your project is a simple replacement or a complex installation. Labor costs are also higher for licensed electricians than for a handyperson. Because new wiring is a complex task, you should hire an electrician.
Electricians charge $150 for the first hour and $50–$130 per additional hour.
A handyperson charges $50–$150 per hour on average.
If your electrician needs to cut holes due to limited access to wires, boxes, and switches, this will require extra costs in labor and materials.
There are extra accessories you can consider for your new ceiling fan. Here are the cost breakdowns:
| Ceiling Fan Accessories | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Blade covers | $20–$35 |
| Angled ceiling mount | $20–$50 |
| Smart fan switch kit | $30–$100 |
| Pull chains | $5–$15 |
Blade covers: You can easily slide blade covers onto your ceiling fan and wash them for better air quality in your home. These cost about $20 to $35.
Angled ceiling mount: You can use an angled ceiling mount to install your ceiling fan on a sloped, vaulted ceiling. These mounts cost between $20 and $50.
Smart fan switch kit: With a smart fan switch, you can turn your ceiling into a smart fan and add app connectivity. These kits cost $30 to $100.
Pull chains: Add a decorative touch and extend an existing chain on your fan for $5 to $15.
You'll find several types of ceiling fans on the market, from the standard five-blade model you recognize in most homes to dual-motor rotational fans for large spaces. Here are the ceiling fan installation costs for each common variety:
| Ceiling Fan Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard | $50–$300 |
| Low-profile | $50–$300 |
| Hanging propeller | $150–$550 |
| Directional | $150–$800 |
| Rotational | $200–$1,500 |
| Outdoor | $250–$3,000 |
Standard ceiling fans cost between $200 and $650 to buy and install. You'll find five blades made from wood, fiberboard, plastic, or metal, and they are highly customizable to your space. Many will also include a light fixture and connect to a downrod between 2 and 10 inches long.
Low-profile fans are ideal for rooms with ceilings under 8 feet high. These models, which also cost between $200 and $650 to buy and install, do not have a downrod. This feature allows the fan to hug the ceiling and connect directly to the mount on the ceiling—which is where they also get the nickname "hugger" fans or "flush-mount" fans.
Costing between $300 and $900 to purchase and install, hanging propeller fans cool off larger rooms with ceilings over 9 feet high. The blades hang on a downrod to circulate air closer to the living space. Downrods hang around 2 to 4 feet but can go much longer for vaulted ceilings and large outdoor pergolas.
The more complex and often stylish directional ceiling fans cost between $300 and upward of $1,200, with installation and purchase factored in. The final price depends on the fan’s size and design. You will find models that look like traditional table fans mounted on a movable arm. Other fans include an adjustable cage at the end of a downrod. In either case, the ceiling fan’s direction is easily adjusted to the area where you need the most air.
The most complex ceiling fans will cost between $350 and $1,850 (for both purchasing the fan and having it installed) due to their power and custom design options. Rotational fans may include a dual motor with two fans facing opposite directions, both of which can be adjusted and turned for greater coverage. The design is ideal for large spaces and adaptable for oddly shaped rooms and porches.
Wet-rated outdoor ceiling fans will cost more than indoor fans, ranging from $250 to $3,000 for materials and labor. If the area is covered, you can save money by choosing a damp-rated ceiling fan instead. However, if there will be exposure to the elements, invest in a wet-rated one.
If you're just swapping one ceiling fan for another, the DIY price may not be much more than the retail price of your new fan. However, you may need to factor in materials like a special ladder if you're mounting your fan to a vaulted ceiling.
For simple DIY ceiling fan replacement, you can save between $50 and $200 on the cost of labor by taking on the job yourself. However, calling a local handyperson for the basic hookup can cost as low as $60. Learning how to replace a ceiling fan yourself costs between $100 and $275 total.
What if you need wiring done? In addition to being dangerous, rewiring your home if you're not a licensed electrician could be a code violation, even if you know how to wire a ceiling fan. If you need to rearrange or add wiring, this goes from a simple DIY Saturday project to a professional installation task. You can also damage your ceiling (and everything below it) if there's not enough support for the weight of your new fan. It's best to let a local ceiling repair pro tackle this job.
Even if your contractors charge a flat rate for ceiling fan installation, there are ways to cut costs overall and from your operational costs—no matter who you call to install your ceiling fan. For example:
Install more than one ceiling fan at once to capitalize on the lower hourly rate of the contractor after the initial hour.
Choose an installation area with or close to existing wiring.
Call a handyperson for basic installation or replacement within existing wiring.
Purchase your fan during the off-season for lower prices and installation deals.
Consider an ENERGY STAR-rated fan for long-term savings on your utility bills.
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’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Hiring an electrician to install a new ceiling fan may be the best course of action. Installing a ceiling fan requires basic electrical and mechanical knowledge. It also requires holding it up with one hand and in an awkward position, making the installation even more difficult. If you’re uncomfortable with these circumstances, your best bet is to hire a professional.
The ceiling box should have an inscription stating that it supports the operation of the ceiling fan. If it’s not included, you should purchase a fan-rated junction box and a fan brace so you can install the box between joists, where it’ll provide the most support for the fan’s weight.
The square footage of your room will dictate the correct ceiling fan blade size. For example:
Rooms smaller than 75 square feet require a fan that is 29 to 36 inches.
Rooms up to 175 square feet require 42- to 48-inch fans.
Rooms up to 350 square feet require 52- to 56-inch fans.
Expansive spaces over 350 square feet need a fan larger than 60 inches.
Basic fan ceiling installation with existing writing will take about one to two hours to complete. If the placement requires new writing, switches, and panels or involves a difficult installation—such as in a room with high ceilings, in the attic, or on a large porch—it could take three to four hours to install the fan. If you’re short on time and know-how, contact a local ceiling fan installer for extra help.
