At CountBricks, we hear the question every week: “What’s the real cost to install central vacuum in a residential remodel or new build?” Homeowners love the promise of quieter cleaning, better air quality, and higher resale value, but construction pros need hard numbers before adding a central vacuum line to their proposals. This guide details every factor that influences cost, shows how CountBricks AI estimates remove guesswork, and explains how our voice-driven jobsite tools keep your budget on track.
• Powerful suction that outperforms portable units
• Significantly lower household noise because the motor is in the garage or basement
• Cleaner indoor air—dust is exhausted outdoors, not recirculated inside
• Added property value and a modern selling point
Across CountBricks residential projects nationwide, the cost to install central vacuum typically falls between $1,500 and $3,300. New construction tends to sit at the low end because walls are open, while retrofits trend higher because of additional labor and patching. Your exact number depends on five key cost drivers.
• Power unit: $400–$900 depending on motor size
• PVC pipe and fittings: $0.60–$1.00 per linear foot
• Inlet valves: $20–$45 each, with most homes requiring 3–6
• Hose kit and accessories: $200–$350
With CountBricks.com/estimates, our AI engine updates each material line in real time using live supplier feeds, so your bid never goes stale.
Labor averages 15–30 hours. New builds can be completed for roughly $700 in labor, while multi-story retrofits reach $1,500 or more. CountBricks voice-to-estimate captures crew hours on site, syncing to your job cost ledger automatically.
• 1,500–2,000 sq ft ranch: usually 3 inlets and 120 ft of pipe
• 2,500–3,500 sq ft two-story: often 5 inlets and 220 ft of pipe
• Layouts with finished basements or bonus rooms add extra runs and elbows, nudging costs higher
Retrofits require strategic cuts in drywall, then patching, mudding, priming, and painting. CountBricks AI tasks auto-generate finish allowances so you capture every hour of touch-up work.
Some jurisdictions classify central vacuums as mechanical systems. Fees range from $50–$200. CountBricks keeps a database of municipal rates so your estimate remains compliant and profitable.
1. Power unit: $650
2. Pipe and fittings: $190
3. Inlet valves (5): $150
4. Hose kit: $275
5. Labor (20 hrs @ $45): $900
6. Permit: $75
Total CountBricks projected cost: $2,240
This line-item estimate was generated in under 90 seconds using the CountBricks on-site voice assistant.
• Real-time cost feeds ensure material prices update every morning
• Scope-matched labor assemblies apply regional wage tables automatically
• Voice capture means you can walk the site, call out “five inlets, thirty feet of vertical pipe,” and watch your estimate build itself
• Instant PDF quotes branded with your company logo are ready to email before you leave the driveway
• Place the power unit centrally to reduce pipe runs
• Use 90-degree long-radius elbows to maintain airflow and avoid adding a booster unit later
• Combine inlet locations with existing electrical chases during retrofits
• Offer clients a basic accessory kit first; upgrade tools can be added later without reopening walls
CountBricks crews use stud finders and flex bits to snake pipe through cavities, limiting drywall cuts to palm-size access holes. Those are patched and primed the same day.
Homeowners sometimes rough-in PVC runs during framing, then hire CountBricks technicians for final hookups and testing. This can shave 10–15 % off labor.
With proper filter changes, a quality power unit runs 20 years or more. Replacement motors cost far less than a new portable vacuum fleet over the same period.
Ready to present rock-solid numbers to your client? Book a five-minute voice call with the CountBricks AI estimator. We’ll walk the floor plan together, generate live pricing, and email a polished quote before the conversation ends. Visit CountBricks.com/consultation to get started.
When the Ramirez family decided to add a central vacuum to their 1960s two-story in Boise, initial bids from traditional contractors came in at $3,900. Using the CountBricks voice estimator, our partner builder generated a new proposal on site in under four minutes.
• Route Optimization: The AI suggested relocating the power unit to the downstairs linen closet, trimming 40 ft of pipe and two elbows.
• Labor Sequencing: By scheduling rough-in during existing bathroom renovations, the crew avoided duplicate wall patching, eliminating six labor hours.
• Material Substitution: Live pricing alerted the builder to a promotion on hybrid PVC that met spec but cost 12 % less that week.
Original quote: $3,900
CountBricks revised quote: $3,190
Savings: $710 (18 %)
The homeowners signed on the spot, impressed by the transparent line items and real-time savings report included in the CountBricks PDF.
• Walk the project with earbuds and the CountBricks voice app—no clipboard needed
• Tag each floor level as you speak to auto-assign vertical pipe allowances
• Snap photos in-app to embed visuals directly into your quote document
• Use the “What-If” slider to show clients how adding or removing inlets changes total cost instantly
Whether you’re framing a new custom build or upgrading an existing residence, CountBricks delivers fast, reliable numbers and flawless documentation. Explore more residential solutions at CountBricks.com/services or schedule a live demo at CountBricks.com/consultation.
