HVAC
Ductwork Installation Cost: Per Linear Foot in 2026
Estimate HVAC ductwork installation cost per linear foot — with the free HVAC calculator.
Ducts are the veins of your heating and cooling — and replacing them is usually bundled into a full HVAC job. Here's what new ductwork costs in 2026.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Ductwork runs $10–$30 per linear foot installed in 2026 (typical $17). A whole-home replacement runs $3,500–$6,000. Materials alone run $1–$7 per linear foot depending on type (flex, sheet metal, duct board).
What it costs
New ductwork runs $10–$30 per linear foot installed. Flex duct is cheapest (materials $1–$2 per ft), sheet metal runs $2–$6, duct board $4–$7. A typical whole-home replacement runs $3,500–$6,000. New-build ductwork is cheaper per foot than retrofitting.
- Installed: $10–$30 per linear ft
- Typical: $17 per linear ft
- Whole-home replacement: $3,500–$6,000
- Materials only: $1–$7 per linear ft
When to replace ducts
Replace ducts if they're crushed, leaking, wet, or full of years of dust. Sealing and insulating existing ducts runs $1,500–$3,000 and often restores efficiency without replacement. Leaky ducts can waste 20-30% of HVAC energy.
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