labor for replacing bathroom exhaust fan

[retire-early]

How much is a reasonable cost for a handyman to replace a bathroom exhaust fan?

The guy who charged me $125 to replace three (3) outdoor lights --- 30 minutes of work --- quoted me a price of $100.

 

[Freedom56]

It's an easy task just like replacing outdoor lights. You don't even have to switch off any breakers. Can't you do it on your own? It's about a 15 minute task.

 

[Livefree]

If it's replacing an existing fan motor, it's not much work. I use Nu-Tone Fans, and get the replacement motors on Amazon. 2 screws and plug it in.. 10 minutes.



I've also just bought the plastic fan that mounts on the motor shaft, that just goes bad sometimes.



Not sure about other replacement models, but it shouldn't be a big job.

 

[JRon]

I do those myself, but in today’s world $100 is not that bad if he is supplying the replacement fan as well as doing the install.

 

[Sunset]

I did this on my rental.
I would have gladly paid $100 to have some else do it.

Counting the time it took:

1. drive to store, find a replacement (can't use just any),
2. drive back,
3. bring tools and ladder upstairs,
4. pull off old one (insulation fell down),
5. figure out how the new one fits it as it's different.
6. Install the exhaust connection (nice that the new one had a sleeve to connect first).
7. Install (screw into place) the new one, including plug it in at end.
8. Turn it on (whew it worked !).
9. put away tools, ladder, vacuum up all the fallen insulation (was not much but was scattered all over).

Next time I'll wear a mask due to the insulation falling surprise.

 

[yhoomajor]

$100 for just showing up at your home - is pretty typical these days (you can thank Inflation).

So the guy is doing it for free. In a way.

My water heater started leaking last month. After struggling for few days, I ended up fixing the leak. Then it started leaking from another place. So I called couple of companies asking how much for new water heater+installation. One company said $1100. Another said $1450 and $150 to do it on a weekend for emergency.

In the end I bought the water heater from Loews and installed it myself. As usual - ended up buying several expensive tools+accessories along the way that cost 2 hundred+ dollars

 

[Surewhitey]

Yep, 100 bucks is about right. Think about someone's time for travel, installation, clean up and travel home. Not to mention taxes for self employment... That's what I would charge.

 

[Bamaman]

It's a job for a handyman, and an electrician is not needed. And they were right about the fan just needing screwed in and plugged into an outlet under the cover.

I've got one to do also. Been putting the replacement off 20 years. If I'm putting new tile and granite in the bathroom, I'm going to fix the exhaust fan/light to where it works.

 

[retire-early]

I do those myself, but in today’s world $100 is not that bad if he is supplying the replacement fan as well as doing the install.

Oh, no. I am to supply the replacement fan.

I also don't know which brand of fan it is either.

 

[Aerides]

sounds totally reasonable.

 

[427Vette]

Oh, no. I am to supply the replacement fan.

I also don't know which brand of fan it is either.

The posters that were replying that they could do the job in ten minutes meant if they were just replacing the motor inside the existing housing. If this is what you are doing its imperative that you get the same model of fan so it slips right into place.

It is more involved to replace the whole housing. Most times it can be done without a trip into the attic but nonetheless its still a fair amount of work. Technically you would need an electrician to disconnect the old and reconnect the new one. Depending on your municipality you may even need an HVAC guy to hook up the venting. If your guy quoted you a $100 I would have him do it before he changes his mind. Then I would give him a tip for saving you the headache of doing it yourself.

A little tip--If you are supposed to provide the new fan make sure you get one that requires the same size or larger opening in the sheet rock then your existing one. Also, don't provide a fan/light/heat unit to replace the existing fan only unit. You wont have enough power available to run it.

 

[ncbill]

for some designs the fan motor is easy to replace...did that at a relatives's house.

for others the whole assembly needs to be removed to repair/replace...have one of those in my master bathroom right now where it is squealing.

think I'll leave it in place, blow out the dust with compressed air & then hit the motor with FluidFilm again to try & quiet 'er down...

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Have you checked youtube, most repair jobs are simple and there are plenty how to videos on this subject.
The first 5 minutes of this video is probably what anyone you hire is going to do if the replacement is the same size. I checked Lowes and Home Depot and you can buy a whole new unit Broan NuTone for less than $20 and just unplug and replace the fan.

 

[retire-early]

Have you checked youtube, most repair jobs are simple and there are plenty how to videos on this subject.
The first 5 minutes of this video is probably what anyone you hire is going to do if the replacement is the same size. I checked Lowes and Home Depot and you can buy a whole new unit Broan NuTone for less than $20 and just unplug and replace the fan.

OMG!!!!

The grille in this Youtube video is different, but otherwise, it looks like the fan is the same as the one in my bathroom.
This is exhaust fan that I have : https://www.homedepot.com/p/Broan-N...all-Mount-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-696N/100081599


.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Good deal, then you should be able to do the repair without to much trouble then.
Youtube is always my first stop when anything breaks, I've saved a fortune over the years.

 

[Walt34]

It's about a 15 minute task.

Only if you live there and already have the needed components - all of them! - in place at home.

For anyone else, it's more like a two hour job from start to finish so $100 is entirely reasonable.

 

[Palmtree]

I've very handy and have replaced two of them in my in-laws 40 year old house. Trust me, it's worth the $100.

 

[Music Lover]

It's an easy task just like replacing outdoor lights. You don't even have to switch off any breakers.

That's true almost all the time, but I still check with my multi-tester just in case some idiot put the switch AFTER the light.

 

[Freedom56]

Good deal, then you should be able to do the repair without to much trouble then.
Youtube is always my first stop when anything breaks, I've saved a fortune over the years.

I do the same and also post DYI videos to help the YouTube community. I have only posted two but both can save you over a thousand each. I am about to post one on low voltage landscape light design and installation which can save you 90% versus having someone do it for you.

 

[Freedom56]

Only if you live there and already have the needed components - all of them! - in place at home.

For anyone else, it's more like a two hour job from start to finish so $100 is entirely reasonable.

According to the OP he has to supply the part. I do most repairs at home myself because check my work. If I had to call someone every time something broke down or needed maintenance, I would be out thousands every year. I just installed 47 low voltage lights around our home. I was getting quotes in the range of $14,500 to $16,850 for the job which I thought was insane. I saw many of the landscape lighting jobs done by so called professionals and they look terrible. It cost me $1150 in material and my time to do the job and it looks great.

 

[CaptTom]

Personally, I'd do it myself. In fact, I did this job yesterday. I removed, cleaned and replaced the (working, but dusty) blower motor. It took me about a half-hour, and that includes all the time digging out the tools (stepladder, screwdriver, brush, vacuum, hose, air compressor), cleaning up and putting everything back.

But that's not what the OP asked. I certainly wouldn't come to your house and do that for anything less than $100. I'd say it's a good deal.

 

[jazz4cash]

A hundred bucks could be a little high. I took the grill off mine. Pulls straight off. The motor is attached with a spring clip and plugs into the house wires. Ordered an exact replacement from Amazon ($40)which arrived next day. Ten minute job. Took me longer to cleanup the grill than to replace the motor. Lots of drywall dust needed shop vac to handle.

 

[427Vette]

A hundred bucks could be a little high. I took the grill off mine. Pulls straight off. The motor is attached with a spring clip and plugs into the house wires. Ordered an exact replacement from Amazon ($40)which arrived next day. Ten minute job. Took me longer to cleanup the grill than to replace the motor. Lots of drywall dust needed shop vac to handle.

Now go and replace one for someone on the other end of town. Don't forget to load up all of the tools that you might need, ladder, shop vac etc. Plan for maybe replacing the whole fan housing because you don't know what the homeowner will show up with since he is supplying his own fan. Get a little liability insurance, an estimating and a bookkeeping program, answering service and everything else it takes to be in business and see if "$100 is a little high"....Getting someone to show up at your house and do anything for a $100.00 is super cheap.

 

[ERD50]

Now go and replace one for someone on the other end of town. Don't forget to load up all of the tools that you might need, ladder, shop vac etc. Plan for maybe replacing the whole fan housing because you don't know what the homeowner will show up with since he is supplying his own fan. Get a little liability insurance, an estimating and a bookkeeping program, answering service and everything else it takes to be in business and see if "$100 is a little high"....Getting someone to show up at your house and do anything for a $100.00 is super cheap.

Agreed 100%.

I've been a big DIY'er most of my life, but I don't begrudge what the pros charge for a "house call" (there are exceptions of course, and some "pros" aren't).

Many posters here aren't considering all you mention. It's not so easy to go into a situation cold, and many homeowners have unrealistic expectations.

One thing I do with repair people (home, car or otherwise), is to "chat it up" a little, and let them know that I have a pretty good understanding of the job, and what it entails, I just don't want to (or don't have the tools or time) to DIY (DIM?). I figure this probably helps me from getting ripped off, or having them take a screwy shortcut, they won't get away with it.

Like with my AC recently, when I called, I explained the compressor was running, the compressor fan was spinning, and the air handler was circulating air and the thermostat was calling for "cool" properly. So at least he knows he's dealing with someone with basic troubleshooting skills.

BTW, for my AC it was a coolant leak in the inside (evaporator) coil. He came out to diagnose, came back a few days day later and did the refill with dye (it was holding pressure short term, and the system ran OK with the recharge), came back a week later (mild weather, only ran the AC a few days), found the leak at the corroded coil, replaced the coil, did the vacuum/refill, and all is good (so far). I thought $1,500 was not out of line for 3 trips, and the the coil replacement took a good part of the day. Plus, he explained that if the compressor died (13 YO), that this new evaporator coil could remain, so I'm not just throwing that money away.

-ERD50

 

[Music Lover]

Agreed 100%.

I've been a big DIY'er most of my life, but I don't begrudge what the pros charge for a "house call" (there are exceptions of course, and some "pros" aren't).

Many posters here aren't considering all you mention. It's not so easy to go into a situation cold, and many homeowners have unrealistic expectations.

One thing I do with repair people (home, car or otherwise), is to "chat it up" a little, and let them know that I have a pretty good understanding of the job, and what it entails, I just don't want to (or don't have the tools or time) to DIY (DIM?). I figure this probably helps me from getting ripped off, or having them take a screwy shortcut, they won't get away with it.
-ERD50

I agree. I'm also an avid DIY'er and do the same things you do if I have to hire someone. I also take care of some of the grunt work before and/or after so that I'm only paying for their expertise in their specialty. For example, there's no need to pay a plumber to break open or repair drywall or to pay an AC guy to remove suspended ceiling tiles if a line has to be replaced.