The total cost, including purchasing the fan, can be as low as $112 or as high as $884. This range is based on how complicated the installation is, what type of fan you purchase, and where you live. Learn the cost of installing a bathroom fan and what to consider.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan Near You?
Here are the average prices for a bathroom exhaust fan installation in some cities across the country:
Kansas City, Mo.: $305
Yuma, Ariz.: $315
Providence, R.I.: $321
Boise, Idaho: $325
Houston: $342
Cleveland: $344
New Orleans: $376
Philadelphia: $406
San Francisco: $426
Birmingham, Ala.: $526
What Type of Bathroom Fan Can I Get on My Budget?
There are many options when choosing a bathroom fan that can bring the cost up significantly. Larger bathrooms require larger fans, which will increase the cost. Additional features, such as built-in lights, heaters, and motion sensors, will increase the price. Styles range from simple to decorative. Whichever type you want, there are many price points.
Here is the range of prices for the different options for exhaust fans:
Basic exhaust fan: $15–$80
Exhaust fan with light: $36–$420
Exhaust fan with light and heater: $74–$424
Some of these have the motion-sensors included. If you purchase a motion sensor separately, the cost will range between $20 to $120.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan Yourself?
The cost of installing a bathroom exhaust fan yourself can be pretty expensive if you need to buy the tools required for installation. Plus, you need electrical know-how, especially because you’ll be working in damp areas. A mistake in this area could be dangerous and costly, especially when you consider the cost of materials, the level of skill needed, the possibility of injury from falls or electrical mishaps, and water damage if you install it incorrectly.
Instead of playing amateur electrician, it's best to hire a local bathroom professional so you can focus on what you excel in: buying pretty new towels or a shower curtain. However, if you have the experience and want to tackle this yourself, the tools and equipment needed include:
Drywall saw: $15
Ducts: $23
Ladder: $100
Power drill: $49–$249
Reciprocating saw: $150
Roofing adhesive: $49
Roofing nails: $6
Roof vent: $120–$350
Bathroom Fan Cost Breakdown
The costs involved in installing a bathroom exhaust fan are:
Purchasing the fan: $15–$420
Hiring an electrician: between $50–$100 per hour. Installation takes 2–4 hours.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan by Type?
There are three main types of bathroom exhaust fans:
Wall-mounted: When there is no easy way to vent through the roof (such as the first-floor bathroom in a two-story home), the air must be vented through the exterior wall or a soffit. Another option for first-floor bathrooms is a wall-mounted exhaust fan. The cost to purchase a wall-mounted fan is $130–$340, and installation by a professional will run between $50 and $100 per hour.
Ceiling-mounted: These vent through the attic and out the home's roof and cost $60–$250, depending on the design and noise rating of the unit. Installation by a professional will be between $50 and $100 per hour.
Remote fans: Remote fans are located in the attic and vent out through the roof. These are used for multi-room fans or bathrooms with multiple fans and use ductwork to vent. If there is no ductwork in place, the cost can range widely. For small homes, installing ductwork will be $150–$2,000, but for larger homes, the ductwork installation can go as high as $4,000.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan?
Availability of electrical connections in the ceiling
Whether electrical wiring needs to be upgraded or replaced
The type of fan you purchase
Whether ductwork installation is required for ventilation through the attic and roof
Access to the attic from the bathroom
The size of the fan
