When the old exhaust fan starts rattling or fails to clear steam, most Portland-area homeowners ask the same question: “How much will the labor cost to replace a bathroom fan?” At CountBricks, we generate thousands of real-time estimates for residential projects, so we have hard numbers and local insight. This article breaks down the price drivers, explains how our AI estimate engine works, and shows you how to save money without cutting corners.
Across the Pacific Northwest, the average labor cost to replace a bathroom fan falls between $175 and $350 for straightforward swaps, while complex retrofits with new ducting can push labor to $500-plus. The spread depends on three core factors:
• Fan accessibility and attic clearance
• Electrical and ducting modifications
• Finish work such as patching drywall or repainting
CountBricks uses live material pricing and current union wage tables to update these ranges every 15 minutes. Visit CountBricks.com/services to see the latest charts.
The fan unit itself may cost only $80-$220, yet finished invoice totals often exceed $600. That’s because skilled labor covers:
• Safe removal of the old housing without damaging ceiling joists
• Compliance with Oregon residential code for GFCI and dedicated switches
• Air-sealing and insulation around new housings to prevent heat loss
• Final testing with anemometers to verify CFM airflow
Experienced technicians handle these steps quickly, but the expertise behind the speed is what you’re paying for.
1. Standard replacement in existing opening: $225 average labor
2. Upgrade to quiet ENERGY STAR fan with slight framing change: $310 average labor
3. Full retrofit requiring new roof vent and wiring: $485 average labor
Numbers pulled from the CountBricks AI database of 2,300 recent residential invoices.
Traditional contractors walk the job, scribble notes, and call suppliers later. CountBricks flips that script. Our voice-enabled app lets you (or your contractor) narrate site conditions while on a ladder. The AI engine converts that description into tasks, crew hours, and current hourly rates from our regional database. Within seconds you get:
• A line-item labor breakdown for demolition, installation, wiring, and testing
• Real-time materials pricing for fans, ducting, switches, and sealants
• A shareable PDF quote branded with your logo or the CountBricks standard template
Need a permit? The system flags it and adds the City of Portland fee schedule automatically. Explore the workflow at CountBricks.com/blueprint-takeoffs.
Some skilled homeowners consider replacing a fan themselves. Let’s compare:
• DIY direct cost: $120 fan + $35 parts and fittings = $155
• Professional install via CountBricks network: $155 materials + $250 labor = $405
The $250 difference buys licensed electrical work, code compliance, and a one-year workmanship guarantee. If you value weekends or hate attic fiberglass, professional labor is worth every dollar.
• GFCI upgrade: Many older bathrooms lack a dedicated GFCI circuit. Adding one can add $85-$130 in labor.
• Oversized ducting: Swapping a 3-inch duct for a 4-inch smooth-wall vent improves airflow but adds one hour of labor.
• Painting touch-ups: Even careful techs may leave minor ceiling scuffs that need paint. Budget $40-$70.
• Choose a fan that fits the existing rough-in size to avoid ceiling patching
• Clear attic pathways before the crew arrives to reduce setup time
• Bundle other minor electrical tasks so a single trip fee covers multiple fixes
• Schedule during normal working hours; after-hours calls carry 1.5x rate multipliers
• Use CountBricks’ photo upload tool so estimators can preplan and bring exact adapters
Portland metro electrician wages have climbed 4.2% year-over-year. CountBricks tracks these trends and refreshes hourly labor rates weekly. Lock in your quote, and we’ll honor the number for 30 days—even if wages rise.
1. Voice capture: Describe the existing fan and attic access on your phone
2. Instant tasks: AI engine maps tasks and pulls real-time wage data
3. Live review: Adjust scope, select fan model, or add duct cleaning
4. Digital approval: Sign electronically; CountBricks stores contracts in your dashboard
5. Field execution: Our vetted residential crews complete work
6. Auto-generated invoice: Materials and labor sync directly from the completed task report
Mary S. needed a whisper-quiet 110 CFM fan but feared opening plaster ceilings. Using CountBricks.com/consultation, she uploaded photos. The AI estimated $295 labor with a 2.5-hour schedule. The tech arrived with a slim housing that fit between 1920s joists, finished in two hours, and final invoicing matched the estimate within $6. Mary’s review: “Best home service app I’ve used—no surprises.”
If your bathroom fan hums louder than a freight train, don’t guess the labor cost. Open the CountBricks app, tap “New Estimate,” and let our AI handle the math. In under five minutes you’ll know exactly what the labor cost to replace your bathroom fan will be—no spreadsheets, no hidden fees, just transparent residential pricing.
Visit CountBricks.com/services or book a free voice consultation. Your future bathroom—steam-free and silent—starts with a precise labor estimate from CountBricks.
Labor inefficiency is the silent budget killer in residential remodels. CountBricks attacks it from three angles:
• Automated takeoffs: Our blueprint module measures vent runs and ceiling joist spacing in seconds, eliminating on-site guesswork.
• Dynamic scheduling: AI matches fan replacement tasks with nearby projects, reducing travel time and lowering mobilization costs by up to 12%.
• Task sequencing insights: The platform flags prerequisites—like GFCI upgrades—so crews arrive with the correct breakers, avoiding costly return visits.
In a recent West Linn subdivision, CountBricks coordinated 14 fan replacements across identical floor plans. By batching duct transition kits and sending one lead electrician with two apprentices, total labor averaged just $198 per home—33% below the regional mean. Homeowners received standardized invoices straight from the app, and the builder closed punch-lists a week early.
• Voice-record attic conditions before leaving the site; the AI will suggest optimal fan models that fit existing cutouts.
• Use the “Add Task” feature to bundle small electrical fixes—one trip fee, more billable hours.
• Lock labor rates in the app when material lead times extend; CountBricks honors the original wage data for 30 days.
If you’re a homeowner, grab the free app and request a live consultation. Contractors can explore the full suite at CountBricks.com/portfolio to see how automated estimating boosts profit on every bathroom upgrade. Whether you need one silent fan or a subdivision of replacements, CountBricks delivers crystal-clear labor costs—before the toolbox even opens.
