How Much Does It Cost to Install Bathroom Ventilation and Fans?

Keeping your home properly ventilated will cost anywhere from $240-550 depending on a few factors. Let us look at bathroom ventilation, its associated costs, and why it is necessary for your home:

Why is a Bathroom Fan Important?

A bathroom fan is critical to the health of your bathroom as it provides much-needed ventilation for the space. Over time and use, your bathroom will produce moisture which can be hazardous to your fixtures and all elements of your bathroom if not properly allocated. Ventilation moves the moisture out of your bathroom and displaces it outside, so your bathroom can stay relatively dry and reduces the risk of water damage or mold growth.

Types of Bathroom Fans

There are a few bathroom fan types to choose from. Combined, they provide full coverage to your bathroom space and help ventilate. 

Wall-mount– A wall mounted exhaust fan is placed on the external wall of the house and is ideal when there is no roof access. Wall-mounted fans run anywhere between $130-340 and installation costs run anywhere between $50-100. 

Ceiling-mount- Ceiling mounted fans are installed in the ceiling and vent through the attic or roof. Ceiling-mounted fans cost anywhere between $60-250 depending on the size and noise rating. 

Remote- Inline fans or remote fans are placed in remote areas such as an attic. Ductwork connects the fan to an opening in the bathroom ceiling. These fans are designed for venting multiple bathrooms or, can be used with multiple vents to ventilate one large bathroom. one large bathroom. The price for a remote fan will vary from $150-4,000 depending on the size of your home and if you have any existing ductwork. 

Bathroom Fan Costs

Bathroom fans cost anywhere between $150-550 if you have existing ductwork in place. A new fan replacement will be double because ductwork and other elements need to be in place. Below you will find common fan costs and their associated types. The final cost is determined by the complication of installation, the type of fan you purchase, and labor costs.

Adjustable speed fan$90-380Basic Fan (fan only)$20-50Ceiling Mounted$20-400Continuous running fan$120-330 (electricity bill not included)Exterior Fan$150-330Bluetooth Fan$75-190Fan with Heater$90-280Motion sensing fan$100-400Light fixture fan$40-330Light and heater with fan$50-360Fan with timer$90-290Inline/Remote Fan$100-310Wall-mounted Fan$20-345

Can I Install a Bathroom Fan by Myself?

The short answer is yes, if you want to install a bathroom fan by yourself, you will need the following tools:

• Drywall saw: $15
• Ducts: $23
• Ladder: $100
• Power drill: $49–$249
• Reciprocating saw: $150
• Roofing adhesive: $49
• Roofing nails: $6
• Roof vent: $120–$350

However, keep in mind that even with experience, you are working in a damp area with electricity. Any mistake can be dangerous and the possibility of injury is quite high. Additionally, if you don’t install your fan correctly, your bathroom won’t properly ventilate which will lead to water damage. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional to install your fan as they are experienced and equipped to handle the installation.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan?

There are several factors that influence the cost of a bathroom fan, mostly the size of your fan, the presence of electric connections, and existing ductwork. 

• Availability of electrical connections in the ceiling-Electrical connections are important for providing your fan with electricity. If there aren’t enough connections running through your bathroom, you will need to hire an electrician to come in and add new connections. The electrician will also install new outlets and ensure that no wire is exposed or is properly shielded from the moisture in your bathroom. 
• The type of fan you purchase-Fans varies widely in size and noise variant. As always, there is a balance as large fans can ventilate your bathroom quite quickly, but will draw a large amount of power and be quite noisy. Additionally, there are smart variants of fans that help control the air quality in your bathroom without wasting too much power.
• Whether ductwork installation is required for ventilation through the attic and roof-Previous ductwork makes fan installation very straightforward. However, if you need ductwork installed, then your price will increase as you have to hire a contractor to setup ductwork so that your fan’s ventilation has somewhere to go, otherwise, you will have moisture trapped in your bathroom. 

FAQs on Ventilation

Do I need a permit to install a bathroom fan?

Yes, you need a permit to install a bathroom fan. Fan installations involve electrical connections, ductwork and other dangerous eliminates that may involve multiple permits. If you are looking to do the work yourself, you are looking to spend between $50-500 for wiring and ductwork permits and another $70-250 for roofing modifications.

What size fan do I need? 

You want your fan to cover one cubic foot per minute per square foot of floor space. Many fans will have a CFM rating that covers the calculation. Afterward, you look at your space and calculate. You want 50 CFM per toilet, then 50 CFM per shower or bath, and 100 CFM if you have a whirlpool. Higher humidity items will require a higher CFM count to accommodate. 

Who do I hire?

If you have existing ductwork, hire an electrician or handyman to install your fan. If there is no current setup, then you will need a plumber or HVAC specialist to install new ductwork and vents. To ensure you hire only the best, follow these tips:

• Get at least three estimates from qualified professionals to compare.
• Look for licensed handymen, electricians, or HVAC professionals.
• Browse their reviews on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for more than five years.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
• Never pay in full before the project starts. Pay instead for work completed.

There are many things to take into consideration with your bathroom vents, we always recommend discussing more with a professional.

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.

Bathroom ventilation or exhaust fans are designed to pull damp, dank air out of rooms that otherwise don’t get a lot of circulation. Exhaust fans attach to the ceiling or sometimes to a light fixture. Running an exhaust fan can keep humidity levels down, leaving your mirrors fog-free and reducing the risk of mold growth. In some cases, they can also vent out odors.

This May Also Interest You: Exhaust Options: A DIY Bathroom Fan Installation Overview

Installation costs can vary dramatically depending on the size of the fan, the way it's mounted, and how much labor is required to install roof vents or complete the wiring. We've compiled a cost guide to help you understand how much you can expect to pay to replace or install a bathroom exhaust fan.

Does My Bathroom Need a Fan?

Building codes vary between municipalities. Section R303 of the International Residential Code covers the requirement for ventilation in residential properties. Bathrooms are generally required to have ventilation, either in the form of windows or a fan.

Replacing an existing fan is usually a simple job. However, if you're installing a bathroom fan, you may need to get a permit to cover the electrical wiring. Seek advice from your city and contact a licensed electrician to perform the installation.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ventilation Fan?

According to Bob Vila, the average cost of a bathroom fan installation is around $383 (CAD 514), but how much you can expect to pay depends on whether you're upgrading an existing fan or if you need to install roof vents, run new wires and fit humidity sensors.

A small bathroom ceiling fan can be purchased for as little as $60 (CAD 81), but the average cost is $75 to $125 (CAD 101 to CAD 168), with more feature-rich fans costing a lot more.

According to Bob Vila, the labor cost for an electrician to install a bathroom exhaust fan is between $50-$100 per hour (CAD 66.84 to CAD 133.68). A direct replacement of an existing fan with a newer model would be around $200 to $400 (CAD 268 to CAD 537), including labor costs. Installing a simple exhaust fan, plus wiring, new ducts and a roof vent, could cost from $500 to $1,500 (CAD 671 to CAD 2,103). If installation of a new vent hose is required, it could add between $100 and $350 (CAD 134 and CAD 470), depending on the complexity of the job.

Some modern fans have sophisticated features, such as a Bluetooth remote-control option or automation based on detected humidity levels. Fans with these features cost more and may also have higher labor costs for installation due to the need for extra sensors or circuitry.

Overall, the cost to install a roof vent in a property without one is likely to be the most expensive part of any quote.

More Related Articles:

Do I Need an Electrician to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

Installing a bathroom fan in a room that doesn’t currently have one is a significant job because you'll need to have an experienced contractor fit the wiring and run air ducts to vent the air out of the room through the wall or roof.

You'll need to have an electrician request the permit and install the fan for you. If you don't have those permits, you have no guarantee that the electrical wiring is safe, which could cause problems with your home insurance or complicate the process if you decide to sell your property.

Can I Install a Bathroom Fan Myself?

Installing a bathroom fan plus ducts is not a job for the average DIY enthusiast. Replacing a ceiling fan where the wiring and vents are already in place is a simpler job. If you have all the tools and an understanding of electrical safety, check out our guide on how to install an exhaust fan to give you an idea of what the job entails.

Choose the Right Fan for Your Bathroom

When you're shopping for an exhaust fan for your bathroom, it's easy to be tempted by a stylish looking one, ignoring other factors such as size or efficiency. Be sure to read the specifications of any fan you buy to make sure it will work in your bathroom.

Consider how noisy the fan is when in operation, especially if your bathroom is near a study or bedroom. Look at how powerful the ventilation features are and how easy it is to replace any filters.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.