How Much Does It Cost to Install an Exhaust Fan in a Bathroom?

Many homeowners cherry-pick bathroom tiles and vanities while brushing aside a true workhorse, an exhaust fan. They classify it as a nice-to-have add-on, even though it is none other than an absolute must. Leaving your window or door open doesn’t aid in tackling excess moisture. Hence, too much steam after a shower can turn into condensation on walls and ceilings, making paint and wallpaper peel. You can notice signs of rust and corrode on your metal fixtures like faucets and shower heads. And your cherished cabinetry can warp and crack along with wooden flooring. On top of that, never-ending dampness is ideal for mold and mildew growth in places you can and cannot see. So, if all these things are not something you want to face, it’s time to discover how much to install a bathroom exhaust fan.

First-time bathroom fan installation is the most expensive and time-consuming as it involves the most extensive scope of work. You can pay between $470 and $630 on average, but most American homeowners spend $560. The low-end cost to install an exhaust fan in a bathroom runs at $240, while the high-end counterpart can set you back $1,250+. 

The price of installing a bathroom fan

Replacing a malfunctioning or outdated exhaust fan is less labor-intensive, meaning you won’t pay through the nose. If you are an experienced DIYer, you need only to pay for a fan starting at $20. And those who seek professional assistance can fork out between $200 and $500. But the average cost to replace a bathroom exhaust fan is $290. 

The price of replacing a bathroom fan

Investigating the Factors Driving the Bathroom Fan Installation Cost

Whether for improving air quality, ventilating odors, or removing humidity, an exhaust fan is the ideal solution. But you can’t stop by the nearest hardware store, grab the first model you come across, and call it a day. Bathroom fans come in multiple styles and dimensions for a reason. You need to examine them all to select an option with the best price that perfectly matches your space aesthetics and meets your needs. 

If you know what features and the size your fan should have, you can now find out the cost to install a bathroom vent with the unit included. How? Share your requirements for the upcoming project on the MyHomeQuote platform to compare personalized quotes any time soon. 

The Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan by a Project Specifics

Discussing the timeline and price of the new bathroom exhaust fan installation starts by clarifying whether you want to replace the current one. If your bathing space doesn’t have any, it’s a different story. Let’s discuss how the cost of a bathroom exhaust fan can change depending on the project specification.

Replacing an Existing Fan

If you are okay with your current bathroom fan’s size and performance characteristics, you can go for the same model. As you won’t have to modify the opening, you can complete the job yourself if you are a handy person. Depending on the quality and brand, the fan can set you back from $20 to $200+. The cost to replace a bathroom fan with professionals can be $200 to $260+. 

Installing a Fan from Scratch 

First-time bathroom fan installation should be better outsourced to specialists as it requires a certain level of technical and carpentry skills. They can help select an appropriate place, cut away the wall, and connect the fan to a proper vent. Electrical wiring and ductwork can be handled, too. How much to install a bathroom fan? Your expenses can be anywhere from $260 to $1,150+. 

The price of installing a bathroom fan by a project specifics

An Exhaust Fan Installation Cost by Unit Type

No matter how many reed diffusers you equip your bathroom with to dispel odors, your efforts will fail without a proper bathroom fan. Unlike ‘easy’ solutions, it doesn’t mean covering the consequences of a moist environment but deals with the root cause – moisture – itself, preventing the bacteria from forming. For the next-level air quality, select a type that meets your needs and matches your home structure. Pay attention that your choice can also affect the answer to “How much to install an exhaust fan in the bathroom?”. Let’s take a gander at the main unit types.

Ceiling-Mounted Fan

Gone are the days when homeowners didn’t mind filling their attics with steamy moisture from the bathroom. Modern ceiling-mounted fans are connected to ductwork to the outdoors. Depending on the project’s complexity, the bathroom vent fan installation costs from $65 to $400.  

Wall-Mounted Fan

As the name implies, this fan type can be installed straight in a wall, meaning the absence of attic access won’t be a stumbling block. Depending on the fan size and installation hurdles, you can expect to spend from $50 to $250.

Inline Fan

You can use an unoccupied space under your bathroom, like an attic, to install your fan and connect it via a ceiling opening. If there are several bathrooms on the floor, you can do the same with them, too. This type is known for being quieter and costing $60 to $330.

Adjustable Speed Fan 

If you want to control the speed of air exhaustion to meet your specific needs, pay attention to this type. It’s a higher-end choice that won’t break the bank, as the cost to install a bathroom vent fan falls between $95 and $370.

Exterior Fan

It’s not a big deal if a fan doesn’t fit into your bathroom interior design, as you can mount it on your home exterior. Based on the model and installation requirements, you can pay $120 to $345. 

Fan with Heater

For tackling two tasks with one effort – warming up the space and exhausting air – a fan with a built-in heater is the best bet. The cost can be anywhere from $140 to $460. 

The price of installing a bathroom fan by unit type

The Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan by Cubic Feet of Air per Minute

A bathroom is prone to high humidity due to constant showers and baths. If not removed immediately and replaced with fresh air, this moisture can be absorbed by walls and other surfaces. That’s why it’s essential to check the CFM rating of a fan when selecting the ideal one for your bathroom. It must equal at least 1 CFM for every square foot of floor space and an additional 50 CFM for every toilet, shower, or bath. For instance, a 100-square-foot bathroom with a shower needs a fan with a CFM rating 200+. If you overlook this factor, it may turn out that your bathroom fan is inefficient and ineffective. 

How much does it cost to install a bathroom fan, depending on the CFM rating and other key factors? For custom quotes, stop by MyHomeQuote. We can detect credible contractors in your vicinity and help you receive detailed estimates free of charge.  

The price of installing a bathroom fan by cubic feet of air per minute

The Average Bathroom Fan Cost by Sones Rating

Bringing SPA-style and serenity to your bathroom can be a toll order if its exhaust fan sounds like a lawn mover when on. Fortunately, there are dozens of models with different noise levels, meaning you can lay your hands on quiet ones. To achieve an objective, you need to check the fan’s sones rating, ranging from 1 to 4, where 1 resembles a whisper, and 4 can be compared to a busy street. The only bottleneck here can be the price, as almost- silent-running models tend to be costlier than their noisier counterparts. Wondering how much to install a bathroom fan based on the sones rating? Check the table below to get the answer. 

The price of installing a bathroom fan by sones rating

Additional Factors to Consider Calculating a Bathroom Vent Installation Cost

Even though installing a brand-new bathroom vent feels like a breeze, the process involves multiple steps and peculiarities. Considering these hidden tasks when crafting the budget for a bathroom upgrade can help you eliminate stress down the road. While some may involve higher upfront costs, they can save you money in the long run and offer additional benefits.

Permit

Most home improvement projects that include changes to the building structure require a permit, as they must be performed in compliance with the building code. The permit can set you back anywhere from $65 to $400, depending on the type required. 

Prep Work Before Retrofitting

While replacing a bathroom vent fan is a more budget-friendly project, installing one from scratch can cost you a penny. Once you modernize an existing bathroom, you may need to install a new vent and ductwork. Your expenses can fluctuate from $200 to $800, depending on house layout and installation preferences (roof or wall). 

Electrical Work

Whatever fan model you go for, it’ll need power to work. If no power source is available in the chosen spot, you may need to hire an electrician to get things done. Their hourly rate can be anywhere from $45 to $100. 

Special Features

If a standard bathroom fan doesn’t speak to you, pay attention to those with extra features. Please note that the cost to replace a bathroom exhaust fan with a light or any other add-on can be higher. The list of possible options include:

• Heating. Fans with built-in heaters can help keep your bathroom both warm and ventilated 
• LED Lighting. If you need additional illumination in the fan area, this can be a smart choice
• Bluetooth. Some fans come with Bluetooth speakers, allowing you to play music straight from your phone
• Timer. Your bathroom fan can automatically turn on and off at set intervals
• Humidity Sensor. Once the humidity level goes up, the fan will kick in by itself
• Motion Sensor. If you forget to use a fan when showering, this feature can become a lifesaver 

Energy Efficiency Features

With the ever-increasing popularity of smart home appliances allowing for cutting utility bills, it’s not surprising that you can find such fan models, too. Even though the upfront bathroom exhaust fan installation cost will be higher, you can reduce energy consumption and lower your energy bill in the days to come. However, take your time to analyze whether you really need this or that feature.  

Labor Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Hiring a contractor is the best solution for first-time installation or replacement with modifications. Even if you are an experienced DIYer, you may hardly know how to install a bathroom fan where one does not exist, as it is not something you do every now and then. 

The fan installation can be a sophisticated job, from ductwork to venting to electrical work. Based on the complexity, you can expect to spend from $100 to $800 in labor. On the other hand, the bathroom exhaust fan replacement costs between $76 and $180. Your expenses can only go up if you decide to install a bigger fan, so some alterations to the opening can be required.