Air duct cleaning for most Cape Cod homes costs on average between $650 and $800.
Air duct cleaning scams can cost you
I’ve talked to many homeowners who have been victimized by these scams. Even the ones who don’t succumb to the high-pressure techniques are still frequently wronged, as these lowball companies often use inadequate tools and equipment — such as handheld vacuums and drills — to do the work. They quickly go through the house, vacuuming out a few vents, and are gone in less than 30 minutes. A legitimate air duct cleaning should take two to four hours to complete, according to reputable duct cleaning companies that I’ve spoken to.
The majority of good air duct cleaning companies use outdoor vented equipment, so all of the dust and debris they capture is vented and contained outside the home. A duct cleaner who uses inferior equipment can actually cause more harm by agitating and releasing more dust into your home, or worse, damaging your ductwork.
DryServ Will Never use an inferior portable machine. We use the most modern machines such as our state of the art Truck Mount System….
Look for air duct cleaning red flags
If a company tells you that you have mold in your air ducts, that could be a red flag. I recommend sending that company on its way before any work is done and having our qualified mold-testing tech out to your home to verify that mold is truly present. If so, the tester can provide that information — and a protocol for removing the mold — to a separate mold remediation firm to avoid any conflicts.
Unfortunately, the air duct cleaning industry doesn’t have many regulations. Most states don’t have licensing requirements for air duct cleaners — Massacshusetts doesn’t — so it’s important to do your research and hire a company with a good reputation. Check online reviews and ask for referrals.
Ask potential air duct cleaning companies to provide you with a written checklist of exactly what they will do, and if you hire them, ask them to verify each task as they complete it. Qualified air duct cleaners will follow strict standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and should be happy to show you their credentials.
Have you had good or bad experiences with air duct cleaning? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
