How Much Does Air Duct Replacement Cost in Los Angeles? [2025 Data]

Homeowners spend an average of $1,899 on air duct replacement costs in Los Angeles, with most projects totaling between $792 and $3,071. If you’re due for new ductwork, the amount you’ll pay will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your house and the duct material you choose. Here’s what to expect.

Air Duct Replacement Cost Factors 

The total cost of air duct replacement in Los Angeles, CA, primarily hinges on your home’s square footage and the type and location of your ducts. Here’s how.

Size

The size of your home directly affects air duct replacement costs. Larger homes require more materials and labor to replace the entire duct system. On average, the cost ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 for a small- to medium-sized home. However, duct replacement can run as low as $1,400 for smaller homes and as high as $9,000 for larger homes. Here’s how the size of your home affects duct replacement costs:

Duct Location

If only specific sections of your ductwork need replacement, such as in a renovation project, costs will depend on the location of the damaged or worn ductwork. Replacing ducts in hard-to-reach or concealed areas—like attics, basements, ceilings, walls, or crawl spaces—can increase labor costs. Here’s how the location of the ducts could affect their cost:

Duct Material

The material you choose for your replacement ducts affects both their cost and longevity. The most commonly used duct types in Los Angeles, CA, are metal and flexible.

Sheet metal ducts are durable but pricey. Flexible ducts, on the other hand, are more affordable but may need to be repaired or replaced sooner. Here’s a breakdown of air duct replacement costs based on duct material:

HVAC Pro Costs

In addition to the ducts and other project materials, you should also leave room in your budget for labor, permits, and sales tax.

Licensing and Certification

In California, pros who work on heating and cooling systems—including the ductwork component—must have a C-20 – Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor license. Before you hire an HVAC pro in Los Angeles, CA, it’s a good idea to check the status of their license with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

Permits

The City of Los Angeles requires a mechanical permit when installing or modifying an HVAC system. Permit costs depend on the specifics of your project (and if you’re repairing or replacing any other part of your system), but you could spend several hundred dollars. Your contractor should manage the permit process for you.

Sales Tax

Finally, don’t forget to factor in Los Angeles’ sales tax when estimating your project costs. The city’s sales tax rate is 9.75%, so if you spend $1,000 on ductwork and other materials, you’d pay $98 in tax on those items.

Does Air Duct Replacement Increase Home Value?

If you decide to sell your home in Los Angeles, an outdated duct system might not be a dealbreaker for buyers—but it won’t work in your favor. By replacing inefficient or damaged ducts before putting your home on the market, you can make your property more attractive to house hunters. If you want to increase its appeal even more, you could replace your full HVAC system, which can add 5% to 7% to your home’s resale value.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

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 survey 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. 

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