The HVAC system is the respiratory system of every modern home. Yet few owners or builders track its expense as closely as framing or finishes. Because duct lines weave through attics and crawlspaces, costs can balloon before anyone notices. Understanding the exact cost of ductwork per linear foot is the fastest way to keep budgets aligned with comfort goals. CountBricks places this metric at the center of every residential HVAC estimate, delivering real-time clarity from the first sketch to the final invoice.
Every linear foot price is a blended rate that covers:
• Sheet-metal or flex duct sizes specified by code
• Connectors, hangers, mastic, insulation, dampers, and fasteners
• Skilled labor hours to cut, crimp, seal, and suspend each run
• Standard waste factor based on fittings and jobsite conditions
When CountBricks runs an AI takeoff, these inputs are attached to the digital blueprint. Live supplier feeds update material line items instantly, so your per-foot number is never stale.
Most online searches are homeowners trying to confirm that their contractor’s quote is fair. Professionals search to benchmark current market rates. CountBricks serves both by translating raw search curiosity into certified project data you can sign and build from.
• Duct Diameter: Larger CFM requirements mean bigger, pricier pipe
• Insulation Rating: R-8 vs. R-6 can shift material cost by 10-15 %
• Layout Complexity: Each elbow adds labor time and static-pressure checks
• Accessibility: Crawlspaces and cathedral ceilings raise hazard premiums
• Regional Labor Rates: CountBricks pulls county-level wage datasets to keep estimates local
The national residential median sits between $11 and $19 per linear foot installed. However, CountBricks projects in high-humidity climates with upgraded insulation frequently reach $22-$25 per foot. Renovations with tight retrofits can exceed $30 because demolition and patch-back are folded into the unit cost.
Our software reads uploaded PDFs or CAD files in seconds, traces supply and return trunks, and auto-labels branch sizes. Every line is instantly dimensioned in linear feet.
CountBricks is linked to regional distributors. When copper or sheet metal prices spike overnight, your estimate reflects it immediately, eliminating surprise change orders.
Skill-level multipliers adapt to union, non-union, or mixed crews. Travel time factors are embedded for rural builds.
Typical waste is set to 8 % for straight runs and 12 % for complex retrofits. You can override these numbers inside the CountBricks dashboard.
• Optimize Layout Early: Straight-line trunking saves up to $3 per foot in fittings and labor
• Right-Size Equipment: Oversized units demand larger duct, inflating per-foot rates
• Combine Trades: Scheduling HVAC rough-in alongside plumbing can share scaffolding costs
• Choose Flex Where Allowed: Quality R-8 flex is cheaper per foot than rigid in short branch runs
• Seal and Test: A duct leak post-install wastes energy dollars every month, erasing upfront savings
1. Voice Call Capture: Speak your project scope and dimensions; CountBricks records and transcribes in real time
2. Instant Takeoff: Blueprints are parsed while you talk, returning preliminary linear-foot counts on the same call
3. Live Pricing: Our engine applies current material and labor rates for an on-the-spot total
4. Auto-Generated Proposal: A branded PDF with breakout tables, scope clarifications, and legal terms is emailed within minutes
5. E-Signature & Scheduling: Approve digitally; our calendar API slots the crew based on material lead times
• Speed: From call to contract in under an hour
• Accuracy: Less than 2 % variance between estimate and final invoice across 1,200 recent projects
• Integration: Syncs with leading accounting software for seamless invoicing
• Transparency: Line-item visibility keeps owners informed and change orders minimal
Visit CountBricks.com/services to upload plans or schedule a live demo. In less time than it takes to tour a model home, you will know your true cost of ductwork per linear foot—and every other line item that matters.
A 2,100 sq ft 1970s bungalow in Maple Ridge needed a full HVAC overhaul to accommodate a high-efficiency heat pump. The homeowner’s biggest fear was runaway mechanical costs hidden in walls and crawlspaces. Here is how CountBricks kept the budget on track:
• Existing ductwork measured 310 linear ft but only 180 ft was reusable
• New R-8 insulated flex was selected for branches to limit attic heat gain
• CountBricks AI takeoff delivered a live per-foot rate of $24.15, reflecting regional sheet-metal prices that had risen 7 % that week
1. Layout Optimization: Our estimator proposed relocating the air handler to shorten the main trunk by 22 ft, saving $530 immediately
2. Joint Trade Scheduling: Plumbing reroutes were aligned with duct demolition, eliminating a second attic setup fee worth $350
3. Leak Testing Guarantee: A pre-paid blower door verification secured a local energy-rebate of $400 for the client
Total billed ductwork cost closed at 1.5 % below the original CountBricks estimate—a variance well inside the 2 % performance promise. The homeowner now enjoys balanced airflow, a lower utility bill, and full transparency on every foot of duct installed.
• Scan attic spaces with a thermal camera during planning to spot crushed or disconnected lines before demolition
• Factor in code-required insulation thickness early; thicker duct may need larger chases
• Always budget for a post-install leakage test; the payoff in efficiency and rebates can exceed the test cost
Explore more real-world wins at CountBricks.com/portfolio or request your own fast, accurate quote at CountBricks.com/consultation.
