How Much Does Air Duct Replacement Cost in New York City? [2025 Data]

Air duct replacement costs in New York City can range anywhere from $416 to $1,564, with an average cost of $988. The biggest factors in how much homeowners spend to replace their air ducts are the home size and the material. Your home’s layout can also affect the scope of the project, which in turn increases the cost of labor, so keep this guide in mind when planning your budget.

Air Duct Replacement Cost Factors 

Many factors can influence the cost of air duct replacement in New York City, including your home’s size, where the ductwork is going, and the duct material. Here’s a closer look at each of these factors and how they impact ductwork replacement prices in New York.

Size

The size of your home directly affects air duct replacement costs. Larger homes require more duct materials and labor to replace the entire air 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.

New York City homes, in particular, run on the smaller size compared to the national average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average single-family home is just over 2,100 square feet. The median home size in New York is 1,600 square feet, based on data from Realtor.com, so you might spend less on air duct replacement costs. With this in mind, 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 material in New York City is sheet metal. This material is made from aluminum or galvanized steel and offers homeowners a cleaner, longer-lasting, and more waterproof air duct system.

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

The average cost to hire HVAC pros in New York, NY, ranges from $50 to $110 per hour. Another way to look at labor rates is by the project cost. Most projects have a material cost of around 40% and a labor cost of 60%, so if your materials cost $500, labor will cost roughly $750. 

If you're altering your HVAC system, then you'll need to know who to hire for ductwork jobs. The city requires homeowners to work with a licensed contractor, so this isn’t a DIY-friendly job.

Cost of Living

The cost of living can play a huge role in how much you’ll pay for labor. Since New York City has a higher cost of living than average, anticipate spending toward the higher end of the range. Homes in pricier parts of New York City will face higher-than-average costs, while homes on the outskirts of town could find prices to be more budget-friendly. 

Permits

Your pro will apply for a permit through the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). The cost of a permit is included in the overall cost of the air duct replacement project. New York City does not disclose exact costs—instead, it encourages homeowners to reach out to licensed HVAC contractors to handle the permit. The city stopped being transparent with the cost data for permits in 2021, when fees were based on the square foot.

Does Air Duct Replacement Increase Home Value?

Upgrading an old air duct system can improve the air quality in your home and decrease the strain on your HVAC unit—both appealing features to prospective buyers. However, you might not see an increase in your home value from updated ductwork alone. It’s a good idea to evaluate your entire HVAC system and upgrade any outdated air conditioning and heating systems to more energy-efficient ones if you’re hoping for a high return on your investment.

The best way to increase your property’s worth is to have a local appraiser or energy auditor inspect your home and suggest home improvements that can boost the value of your home according to region-specific markers that appeal to house hunters in New York City.

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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