How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

Estimating Bathroom Exhaust Fan Costs 

The price to install a bathroom fan depends on the cost of the fan and labor, whether or not there are existing air ducts, and whether you’re replacing a fan or installing one for the first time. 

The Fan You Choose

Fans can cost as little as $20 or as much as $500 if equipped with light and heat features. The size of the fan will also affect the price. 

Labor Costs

In most cases, either an experienced handyperson or a licensed electrician will be the best choice to install your bathroom fan. The cost to hire an electrician is typically between $50 and $100 per hour. If you need new ductwork, a local HVAC specialist can get the job done. 

Replacement or New Installation

Replacing an existing fan means you can use existing wiring and ducts for ventilation. The cost to replace a bathroom fan is $257 on average. If you’re installing a fan in a bathroom for the first time, an electrician will have to provide new wiring.

Average Bath Fan Installation Cost by Location 

The cost of installing or replacing an exhaust fan in one of your home’s bathrooms can vary depending on your location. In most cases, price variation comes down to differences in hourly labor costs. Ask for estimates from at least three pros to compare pricing for the installation.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bath Fan Yourself?

If you prefer to install your bathroom exhaust fan yourself, you’ll have to purchase the fan first, which can run anywhere from $20 and $500. 

You’ll also need a set of tools, including a drill and bits, ladder, oscillating saw with a metal cutting blade, hole saw, circuit tester, and putty knife, among others. In addition, you’ll need specialized materials, such as wire connectors, drywall, duct clams, and more. If you don’t already own these items, you’ll have to buy or rent them. Hiring an experienced contractor or electrician means you won’t have to acquire all the tools and supplies, so consider leaving this job to a pro. 

Moreover, it can be dangerous to work with electricity and electrical appliances unless trained to do so. Generally speaking, it’s less expensive and much safer to hire a licensed electrician for this job, whether you’re installing a replacement fan or a brand-new one.

How Much Does Bath Fan Installation Cost by Type?

There are three basic types of bathroom exhaust fans. The one you need will depend on the location of the fan in your bathroom.

Ceiling Insert  

Because hot, steamy air rises, a ceiling insert fan is an efficient choice for removing air from most bathrooms. These models suck moist air into ductwork that vents to the outside, either through the roof or a wall. These models run from $20 to $500 on average. 

You can also redirect air and moisture outside with a roof vent. Ridge roof vents cost $2 to $3 per linear foot. With labor, venting through your bathroom wall costs $130 to $340.

Wall Insert

Wall insert exhaust fans are sometimes preferred because they usually work on an outside wall, and the air is released outside without the need to rely on ducts for ventilation. If a roof ventilation path isn’t available, a wall-mounted exhaust fan is often an efficient solution. Expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $240 for a wall-mounted exhaust fan.  

Inline

These fans sit deeper within the ductwork of your house. In some cases, a single inline fan can ventilate multiple bathrooms at once. They may also be quieter in operation, but they may require more time and skill to install. The average cost of residential inline bathroom fans ranges from $180 to $390. What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

If your project requires wiring or new ductwork, expect to pay more for your bathroom fan installation. 

What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

If your project requires wiring or new ductwork, expect to pay more for your bathroom fan installation.

Installing Electrical

Since heat and steam rise, bathroom exhaust fans are usually in the ceiling or in an adjoining wall. When installing a bathroom fan where one doesn’t currently exist, an electrician will have to cut a hole for it and add new wiring. This will take two to four hours on average, but it could take longer depending on your home’s structure.

Installing Bathroom Vents & Ducts

Unless your fan is a wall insert, excess moisture in a bathroom needs to flow outside via air ducts. Most bathrooms have vent access, either through the roof, a wall, or both. If there is no vent access, you’ll need to install ductwork. 

Duct installation costs between $150 and $2,000, based on location, home size, and how much time it will take. In bigger homes, ductwork might cost upwards of $4,000. 

FAQs About Bath Fan Installation

Who installs bathroom fans?

While plumbers and experienced repair pros may be able to install a replacement bathroom exhaust fan, in most cases, you should hire a licensed electrician near you to handle any wiring. However, if you need new ductwork, you’ll also need to call an HVAC specialist. 

What should I consider when choosing an exhaust fan? 

If you’re replacing an existing fan, purchase a fan with the same dimensions so you won’t have to make any additional cuts in your ceiling or wall to accommodate it. 

Pay attention to the fan’s CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating. A larger bathroom generally benefits from a larger CFM rating. Measure your bathroom to find the cubic volume (length x width x height), multiply the result by 0.13, and round up to the nearest 10. 

For example, for a bathroom that measures 9 feet by 10 feet by 9 feet, you should choose a fan with a CFM of 106 or above. 

You may also want to look for a disclosure on the fan’s packaging of its sones, which measures how loud the fan will be during operation. Higher numbers indicate louder fan operation. To keep things quiet, look for about 2 sones. 

How long will it take to install a bathroom exhaust fan? 

Initial installations can take up to four hours, while a simple replacement that requires no additional cutting or ductwork may be far simpler and take an hour or so. 

Do I have to vent my bathroom fan to the outside?

Yes. Some bathroom fans vent to the attic, but this leads to mold and other structural damage. Even if you have a vented attic, a bathroom exhaust fan still needs to vent directly outside.