Cost to Ductwork Installation in Boston, MA

$2,640–$10,560 in Boston

32% above the national average · 1.32x cost multiplier

In Boston, a ductwork installation runs $2,640 to $10,560 on average — about 32% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Northeast market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.

Cost Breakdown in Boston

Line Item	Low	Mid	High
Cost per linear ft	$13	$26	$53
Materials	$792	$1,980	$4,620
Labor	$1,584	$3,300	$7,920
Permits	$396	$660	$1,056
Total	$2,772+32% vs. national avg	$5,940+32% vs. national avg	$13,596+32% vs. national avg

Budget

Flex duct replacement, accessible attic or crawl space, straightforward run

Mid-Range

Sheet metal main trunk with flex branches, new system for 1,500 sq ft

Premium

Sheet metal throughout, exposed basement, complex multi-zone layout, test and balance

Material Options

Material prices below are national averages; availability in Boston may shift costs slightly.

Material	Cost/Unit	Pros	Cons	Best For
Flexible Duct (Flex Duct)	$4 - $8 per linear foot installed	Cheap, fast to install, flexible routing around obstacles, widely available	Loses efficiency when kinked or sagged, shorter lifespan (10-15 years), harder to seal	Branch runs in accessible attics, budget-conscious repairs, short runsCheap, fast to install, flexible routing around obstacles, widely available
Sheet Metal (Galvanized Steel)	$12 - $25 per linear foot installed	Durable (40+ year lifespan), smooth interior for maximum airflow, takes mastic sealant well	Higher cost, heavier and harder to route, conducts sound	Main trunk lines, commercial applications, high-performance systemsDurable (40+ year lifespan), smooth interior for maximum airflow, takes mastic sealant well
Fiberglass Duct Board	$10 - $18 per linear foot installed	Built-in insulation (R-4 to R-6), lightweight, quieter than metal	Interior liner can crack and release fibers, harder to repair, not ideal in humid crawl spaces	Conditioned attic spaces, commercial buildings, systems with quietness requirementsBuilt-in insulation (R-4 to R-6), lightweight, quieter than metal
Insulated Flexible Duct	$6 - $12 per linear foot installed	Combines flex routing with R-6 to R-8 insulation in one product	Bulkier than uninsulated flex, still prone to efficiency losses from bends	Branch runs in unconditioned attics or crawl spaces where insulation is neededCombines flex routing with R-6 to R-8 insulation in one product
Spiral Round Duct	$15 - $30 per linear foot installed	Extremely smooth interior (lowest friction loss), visually attractive for exposed installations	Highest material cost, requires careful sizing and layout design	Exposed basement or industrial-aesthetic installations, high-efficiency systemsExtremely smooth interior (lowest friction loss), visually attractive for exposed installations

Other Projects in Boston

Full Bathroom Remodel

Full Kitchen Remodel

Window Replacement

Back to national average for Ductwork Installation

Boston Estimate

Typical Range

$2,640–$10,560

vs. National Average

32% above national

Cost Multiplier

1.32x

Cost Per linear ft

$13–$53

Estimates apply Boston's 1.32x regional cost multiplier to national averages. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.

See national average costs →