COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Bathroom Fan?

Q: Is a bathroom fan necessary?

Every bathroom needs ventilation, whether it’s an exhaust fan or a window that can open. Technically, if another form of ventilation is in place, and it allows the moisture to dissipate completely, an exhaust fan isn’t necessary. Moist air should not be allowed to linger in the bathroom, where it can cause mold and mildew to grow. However, opening a window may not be energy efficient in the winter. A bathroom fan will extract the moisture from the air and vent it outside without letting cold air in or warm air out.

Q: How do I properly size an exhaust fan for my bathroom?

“CFM” refers to “Cubic Feet per Minute,” which is the type of measurement that relates to the volume of air that the fan’s blower can move. To size your bathroom fan properly, you need to calculate the necessary CFM for the size of your bathroom. You can calculate this by first multiplying the length of your bathroom by its width to get the room's square footage. You’ll need 1 CFM for every square foot of bathroom space. So, if you have an 80-square-foot bathroom, you’ll need a bathroom exhaust fan capable of 80 CFM.

Q: Do I need a separate switch for my bathroom fan?

The answer to this question depends on the bathroom exhaust fan you get, but when you buy the fan, you might want to consider getting one that requires a separate switch. The point of a bathroom exhaust fan is to remove moist air from the room while preventing the growth of mold and mildew. If you’re using the bathroom but aren’t having a bath or shower, you won’t need the fan running. If you have an automatic fan connected to the light, it’ll run when it’s not needed — which means it’s using additional energy.

Q: Does my bathroom exhaust fan require an exterior vent?

Yes. The bathroom fan works to remove moisture from the air and the home so that it can’t cause damage. If it’s allowed to vent somewhere else in the home, then there’s the possibility that mold and mildew could grow in those places. Also, moist air can damage the drywall and insulation wherever it vents.

Typical range: $156-$423

Find out how much your project will cost

Zip Code

cost to replace a bathroom fan Calculator

For your project in zip code 98102 with these options, the cost to replace a bathroom fan starts at $155.91-$423.14 per fan. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

The cost to install a bathroom fan is far outweighed by the importance of this little piece of environmental control equipment. The purpose of a bathroom fan is not only to remove odors from the bathroom but also to prevent damaging moisture from lingering in the bathroom after a shower or bath. Instead, the moist air is drawn out of the room and redirected outside through a system of vents.

The bathroom is one of the biggest problem areas with lingering moisture in the air. Having to install a bathroom fan costs little when you compare it to the potential cost of repairs or mold remediation. The installation process may look straightforward since the appliance is small, but the process and the unit's initial cost are deceptive. Where the initial installation requires a greater cost layout, and a more in-depth installation process, replacing a bathroom exhaust fan is far simpler. Like all electrical appliances, your bathroom fan may malfunction at some point, causing you to have to replace it.

Cost Calculator

Zip Code

Calculations are dependent on where you live

Fan

Standard Services		Quantity	Low	High
What you can expect
Range per fan:			$155.91	$423.14
Range for this type of project:			$156	$423
Estimate: $290
	Bathroom Fan Cost	1 fan	$33	$40
	Cost of residential-grade, 70 CFM ventilation fan with operation at 6 sones, either mounted from wall or ceiling. Connects to existing electrical and vent ducting.
	Bathroom Fan Labor, Basic	3 hours	$114	$373
	Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Mounting hole will be cut, and wiring added or modified from existing switch or parallel fixture. Fixture and trim piece will be placed and secured. Rate is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.
	Bathroom Fan Job Supplies	1 fan	$9	$10
	Requisite supplies for the job, including connectors, fittings, and mounting hardware.
	Bathroom Fan Debris Disposal	1 fan	$1	$1
	Responsible disposal of all project debris, including the cost to load and haul old materials, installation waste, and any other refuse.
Optional Services
	Option: Add AFCI Circuit Protection	1 hour	$32	$104
	Circuit power will be shut off and existing circuit break removed. New 15A or 20A Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt breaker will be installed. Power will be restored and optimal operation verified. Available for systems compatible with AFCI breakers.

Standard services

Bathroom Fan Cost
$33 -$40

1
fan

Cost of residential-grade, 70 CFM ventilation fan with operation at 6 sones, either mounted from wall or ceiling. Connects to existing electrical and vent ducting.

Bathroom Fan Labor, Basic
$114 -$373

3
hours

Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Mounting hole will be cut, and wiring added or modified from existing switch or parallel fixture. Fixture and trim piece will be placed and secured. Rate is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.

Bathroom Fan Job Supplies
$9 -$10

1
fan

Requisite supplies for the job, including connectors, fittings, and mounting hardware.

Bathroom Fan Debris Disposal
$1 -$1

1
fan

Responsible disposal of all project debris, including the cost to load and haul old materials, installation waste, and any other refuse.

Optional Services

Option: Add AFCI Circuit Protection
$32 -$104

1
hour

Circuit power will be shut off and existing circuit break removed. New 15A or 20A Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt breaker will be installed. Power will be restored and optimal operation verified. Available for systems compatible with AFCI breakers.

What you can expect

Range per fan:
$156 - $423

Range for this type of project:
$156 - $423

Estimate:
$290

Cost Comparison

YOUR ESTIMATE

$290

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE

$149 -$404

YOUR ESTIMATE

Replace a Bathroom Fan: national average cost

The national average materials cost to replace a bathroom fan is $34.81 per fan, with a range between $31.23 to $38.39. The total price for labor and materials per fan is $276.20, coming in between $148.73 to $403.66. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.

cost to replace a bathroom fan
National Avg. Materials Cost per fan	$34.81
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 1 fan	$276.20
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 1 fan	$148.73 - $403.66

Cost Breakdown for Bathroom Fan Installation and Replacement

The basic cost of a bathroom exhaust fan depends on the type you choose. Still, you can expect a price range of between $30 and $400. A basic exhaust fan with a single speed and no additional features will be close to the lower end of the price range, while a fan with multiple speeds and a heat lamp will be at the more expensive end.

The installation cost can be broken down into several separate costs, especially if the installation requires the ducts, outside vent, and wiring. Naturally, a completely new installation will be significantly more expensive than simply installing a fan with existing ductwork and wiring.

Contractor Cost

General Contractor: In full installations, a general contractor may be needed to install the ductwork and open installation sites inside and on the roof or exterior wall. The average hourly cost for a general contractor is between $50 and $80 an hour.
HVAC Contractor: If your exhaust fan needs to connect to an HVAC system, you may choose to hire an HVAC contractor to complete the work. To hire this type of contractor, you can expect to pay an average of $70 to $150 an hour.
Electrician: Bathroom exhaust fans will have wiring that connects to the home’s electrical system. If the exhaust vent is a brand-new installation, the electrician may need to run wiring from the home’s electrical box. The average hourly cost for hiring an electrician is between $40 and $100.

Vents and Ducts

New ducts: A new duct installation is necessary to connect the bathroom fan to the outside vent. Ductwork averages between $50 and $150.
Roof vent: Bathroom fans that vent through the top of the house require the roof to open to accommodate the exterior vent. The average cost of installing venting through the roof is between $350 and $950.
Wall vent: Bathroom fans that vent through the exterior wall require that wall to accommodate the vent. Pricing will depend on the distance from the bathroom to the outside vent, with an average ranging from $250 and $800.

Bathroom Fan Replacement

Product: The average cost of a bathroom fan replacement is between $30 and $400, fluctuating according to the fan’s features and overall quality.
Installation: You can expect to pay an average of between $50 and $100 per hour for 2 to 3 hours of work.
New switch: You can expect to pay an average of between $100 and $250 to have the new switch wired.

Factors Involved in Bathroom Fan Installation Cost

Installing or replacing bathroom exhaust fans is never a matter of simply going to the store and buying the first one you see. Several factors affect the overall cost of installing a bathroom fan.

These factors include the following:

Type of fan: There are three types of bathroom exhaust fans, which are wall, ceiling, and window. Each of these types will have different costs associated with them.
Quality: The quality of the fan will impact the price, with the better-quality products being higher in price.
Accessibility: If you choose a ceiling exhaust fan, you may need to access your loft to install it. If the loft is not easily accessible, this will affect the installation cost.
Switch type: Exhaust fans can be automatic when the light is turned on, or they can have a pull cord or an on/off switch. These switch options may be priced differently since they each require different wiring.
Features: Some bathroom fans have different speed settings or even a built-in heat lamp to take the chill out of a cool bathroom. An exhaust fan with additional features will naturally be more expensive.
Wiring: The condition or the location of your existing wiring can affect the total cost, especially if it’s necessary to replace any of it when you install the exhaust fan.
Labor: While the installation may look straightforward, it’s a complicated process. If you hire a professional, you can expect to pay a few hours’ worth of labor costs.
Finish: After you install the fan, you may want to touch up the plaster, paint, or tile around the installation site to make the finished project look good. Your materials and labor will incur extra costs.
Electrical circuits: Bathroom fans with built-in heaters require their 20-amp electrical circuit. This additional necessity will increase the overall cost of your project.

DIY or Professional Installation?

Whether the project requires wiring a bathroom fan or doing a brand-new installation that includes ductwork and exterior vents, the process can be complex. Additionally, the project may require work that takes you out of your comfort zone — like climbing onto the roof or opening a hole in your ceiling. Perhaps you don’t have the tools necessary to complete the installation or aren’t a handy person. Hiring a professional is a solid choice if you aren’t comfortable with the type of work or don’t feel confident in your handy skills.

While it’s true that installing or replacing a bathroom fan yourself will save you a substantial amount of money, the complex nature of the project may make hiring a professional the better option.