Whole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterHow Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost in San Francisco?
Air Duct Cleaning services in San Francisco typically cost between $450 and $950 for a standard single-family home with one HVAC system, and most jobs land in the $550 to $750 range. Larger homes with two systems, heavy pet hair, or decades of buildup in older neighborhoods usually run $900 to $1,600. The price you’re quoted should be a written number, provided before anyone starts work, based on the size of your home and the condition of your ducts. That’s how we do it at Morton’s, every visit, no exceptions.
If you’ve been asked to give a vague ballpark over the phone, or you’ve been surprised by an invoice that didn’t match the estimate, you know why this matters. Our number one job below is to give you real San Francisco numbers so you can plan. You’ll also find what actually drives those numbers up or down, and how to keep your cost closer to the lower end without skipping anything your home needs.
Quick Answer for San Francisco Homeowners
- Typical single-family home, one system: $450 to $950
- Most common final invoice: $550 to $750
- Larger homes, two or more systems: $900 to $1,600
- Dryer vent cleaning (added to a duct visit): $125 to $225
- Free written estimate: Yes, always. Call (323) 918-4345.
Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning has served the Bay Area since 2005, and every job comes with a written price before we begin. If you want the specific number for your address, we’ll give it to you before we touch a vent.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how pricing typically shakes out in the San Francisco market. These are real ranges, not a “starting at” figure designed to bait a switch. Your final price depends on square footage, number of systems, access to the ductwork, and how much debris we pull out.
| Service Line Item | Typical Price Range (San Francisco) |
|---|---|
| Standard duct cleaning, 1 system, up to 1,800 sq ft | $450 – $700 |
| Duct cleaning, 1 system, 1,800 – 2,800 sq ft | $600 – $950 |
| Duct cleaning, 2 systems (larger or multi-level homes) | $900 – $1,600 |
| Dryer vent cleaning (standalone) | $125 – $225 |
| Dryer vent cleaning (added to a duct job) | $100 – $175 |
| Extra vent or register beyond standard count | $15 – $35 each |
| Cold air return cleaning | $40 – $90 each |
| Before-and-after inspection (photo documentation) | Included |
| Written estimate | Free |
What pushes you toward the high end? Two HVAC systems instead of one. A Victorian in the Mission or Noe Valley with original, oddly-routed ductwork that takes longer to access. Heavy pet hair from a household with two shedding dogs. Or a home that hasn’t had the ducts touched in 15 years and needs a slower, more thorough pass. What keeps you at the low end? A single-story home, one system, reasonable access through the attic or crawlspace, and no pets or smokers in the house. If you’re unsure which category you fall into, that’s exactly what a free estimate is for. Call (323) 918-4345 and we’ll tell you straight.
What Affects Air Duct Cleaning Pricing in San Francisco
San Francisco isn’t a one-size market. We work in everything from 1920s Edwardians in the Sunset to new construction in Mission Bay, and those two homes aren’t remotely the same job. Here’s what changes the price.
- Number of HVAC systems. A single system handles most homes under 2,000 square feet, but larger homes and multi-level homes often run two. Each additional system adds a full duct network to clean, so expect roughly 1.5x to 2x the base price.
- Home age and ductwork layout. In Bernal Heights and the Inner Richmond, we regularly encounter original duct runs that were retrofitted into older walls and crawlspaces. That geometry takes longer to work through with the same care. Newer construction in SoMa or Mission Bay is usually quicker and costs less.
- Access to the duct system. Attic access, crawlspace clearance, and how the vents are routed all affect labor time. A Burlingame rancher with a clean attic hatch is a two-hour job. A Noe Valley home with tight ceiling access might take four.
- Pets and heavy debris loads. We love working in homes with pets, but truthfully, two labs in a home in the Outer Sunset means a deeper, slower clean. More hair means more passes with the Rotobrush, and we won’t shortcut that.
- Level of contamination. Recent renovation dust, years of accumulated construction debris, or visible mold concerns push the price up because the job requires extra time and, in some cases, additional equipment from brands like Abatement Technologies.
- Additional services bundled in. Dryer vent cleaning is the most common add-on and adds $100 to $175. Some homes also benefit from a furnace or coil inspection using Honeywell and Aprilaire filtration components, which we can quote separately.
Why SF Pricing Runs Higher Than Some Other Markets
You may see duct cleaning advertised online for $199 in other parts of the country. That number exists, but it isn’t realistic here. Labor costs in San Francisco are among the highest in the country, parking and access add time on nearly every job, and the older housing stock means we rarely get a simple, wide-open system to clean. When you see a $199 quote from a national lead-gen site, it’s usually a teaser that becomes $800 after the technician arrives. We don’t work that way. Morton’s has been independently serving Bay Area families since 2005 as part of the Cedarwell family of companies, and we give you the real number up front.
How to Save on Air Duct Cleaning
You don’t need to hunt for the cheapest quote. You need to know where the actual money is. Here’s what we tell our own neighbors in San Francisco.
- Get a written estimate, not a phone number. A range over the phone is a guess. A written estimate is a commitment. Insist on it. Every Morton’s visit starts with one, and it’s free.
- Bundle dryer vent cleaning with duct cleaning. If your dryer vent is due, adding it while we’re already on site saves you the trip charge, usually $50 to $100 compared to two separate visits.
- Address small issues before they grow. A small tear in flex duct or a loose register boot is a $30 fix. Ignored, it pulls dust into the system and means a bigger clean later. Ask us to note anything we see during inspection.
- Keep filters current. A $15 filter changed every 60 to 90 days keeps dust out of the ducts and stretches the time between deep cleans. This is the single biggest thing you can do for free.
- Time it after a renovation, not before. If you’re about to remodel your kitchen, don’t clean the ducts first. Clean them after. You’ll pay once, not twice.
- Schedule non-emergency work on a weekday. Weekend slots are often in higher demand and can carry a small premium in this market.
None of that should feel like a sales pitch. It’s just what we’d tell a friend. If you want a straight number for your home, the fastest path is a call. Reach us at (323) 918-4345, and a live person will answer, day or night.
What’s Included in a Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning
Since price and value should be judged together, here’s what your money covers on a Morton’s job. This isn’t a stripped-down clean with the basics sold back to you as add-ons.
- Full source-removal cleaning using professional equipment from Rotobrush and Nikro, not entry-level rental gear
- Before-and-after photo of the work area before our crew leaves, so you can see the home was left better than we found it
- Shoe covers and drop cloths from the moment we walk in, protecting floors and furniture
- Background-checked, uniformed technicians
- Quiet tools scheduled around nap hours whenever possible, because we know kids are home
- Pet-safe product choices where available, for households with dogs and cats
- The 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it isn’t right, we make it right. Stamped on every job, not just offered when asked
- The Cedarwell Care Promise, which every Morton’s location lives up to on every single visit
All of that is standard. If a competitor’s quote is lower, ask what’s actually included. A written price with photo documentation, protected floors, and a year-long guarantee is a different product from a two-hour walkthrough with a shop vac.
Do You Really Need Air Duct Cleaning?
Honestly, not every home needs it right now. We’d rather tell you that than sell you a service you don’t need. Here are the situations where cleaning typically pays off in San Francisco.
- You’ve recently finished a remodel and dust was pulled through the system
- You’ve moved into a home and don’t know the last time the ducts were cleaned
- You see visible dust blowing from registers when the system kicks on
- Someone in the household has allergies or asthma that worsen indoors
- You have pets and notice hair collecting at the return grilles
- It’s been five or more years since the last professional clean
If none of those apply, you may be fine waiting. When you do call, we’ll give you a straight answer about whether it’s worth your money right now.
FAQs - Air Duct Cleaning Cost in San Francisco
How much does air duct cleaning cost in San Francisco?
Most San Francisco homeowners pay between $450 and $950, with a typical job landing around $550 to $750. Two-system homes generally run $900 to $1,600. Call (323) 918-4345 for a free written estimate for your exact address.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace my air ducts?
Cleaning is almost always cheaper. A professional clean runs $450 to $950, while replacing ductwork can cost several thousand dollars. Cleaning makes sense unless the ducts are crushed, water-damaged, or made of older materials that have failed. We’ll tell you honestly if repair or replacement is the better path.
Can you clean my ducts the same day I call?
Often yes, depending on the schedule. Same-day availability varies, but we answer the phone live 24/7 and can book you fast. Call (323) 918-4345 and we’ll tell you the soonest slot for your neighborhood.
Do you charge extra for homes with pets or kids?
No. Pet hair and normal household dust are part of the job and built into your written estimate. What does affect price is the overall condition and number of systems, not the presence of a dog or a toddler. We bring quieter tools and pet-safe products where we can, at no upcharge.
How much does dryer vent cleaning add to my bill?
Adding dryer vent cleaning to a duct job is $100 to $175, versus $125 to $225 as a standalone visit. Bundling saves you $50 to $100. Call (323) 918-4345 to lock in the combined price.
Get a Real Number Before You Decide
You now have a clearer picture of what air duct cleaning actually costs in San Francisco, and what drives the number up or down. The next step is a free written estimate for your home, so you can plan with a real figure instead of a range. Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning has been serving Bay Area families since 2005, and every visit includes a written price before any work starts, protected floors, a photo of the clean-up before we leave, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise backing the job. A live person answers the phone 24/7, so you’ll never leave a message and wait. Call (323) 918-4345 today for your free estimate, and we’ll give you the exact price for your San Francisco home before we touch a single vent.
Written by Paul Adeyemi, Owner at Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning, serving San Francisco since 2005.
Pricing reflects the San Francisco market as of 2026. Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning offers free estimates - call (323) 918-4345.
What Our Customers Say
"Spotless work. They laid drop cloths everywhere and I was honestly impressed there was zero mess at the end. Showed me the dirt they pulled out so I could see it was worth it."
- Shelby Dunham"New house, old dusty ducts. They were gentle in the house, laid down drop cloths, and double checked every register was sealed back up. Air smells fresh now."
- Scott Hemmings"Friendly, calm crew that clearly cared about the house. Covered their shoes, protected the floors, and double checked they'd closed up every vent cover properly. Would have them back."
- Omar Zaid