How to Compare Duct Sealing Quotes
DUCT SEALING PROS · BUYER GUIDE
Duct Sealing Quote: How to Compare Offers Like a Pro
A duct sealing quote should tell you what will be tested, what will be sealed and how the result will be proven. Many do not. Here is how to compare offers and spot the vague ones before you sign.
What a good duct sealing quote includes
- A pre-test and post-test, with the numbers reported to you.
- The sealing method and materials, such as mastic and UL 181B-FX foil tape.
- A scope: which ducts, the plenum, boots and joints.
- The price, the timeline and what the warranty covers.
A quote without a test is a quote for guessing. Angi lists a pressure test at about $300, with a typical range of $200 to $450, so test cost is part of fair pricing.
Ask whether the quote is fixed or based on time and materials. A fixed price with a defined scope is easier to compare. If the scope changes after the pre-test, the contractor should explain why in writing and update the price before work begins.
Typical price ranges
Angi lists duct sealing at $500 to $4,000, with an average of about $2,250, and repairs at about $660. Most jobs take about 4 hours, with a range of 2 to 8. A duct sealing quote far outside the range deserves an explanation.
Price per square foot is about $0.50 to $1.50, but a home’s access, duct layout and leakage matter more than size. See duct sealing cost and cost per square foot.
Access matters. A tight attic, a crawl space or ducts buried in insulation take longer and cost more, and a good contractor will explain which factor is driving the price. Ask to see the ducts or photos before agreeing, so the quote reflects what is actually there.
Red flags in a duct sealing quote
- No test before or after.
- Only “duct cleaning” offered when you asked about leakage.
- Cloth duct tape listed as the sealing material.
- A promised savings percentage with no basis.
- Pressure to sign today.
Duct tape is the classic mistake: ordinary cloth tape dries out in a hot attic. Approved mastic and foil tape last better. Our page on sealing materials explains the difference.
Questions to ask each contractor
- What will you test, and will I get the numbers in writing?
- What materials will you use at each joint?
- How will you handle large gaps over about ½ inch?
- Who does the work, and who is on site?
- What happens if the post-test fails?
NREL found aerosol sealing combined with manual patching sealed 70 to 90% of leakage, compared with 40 to 50% for manual alone, and large holes need hand repair first. A contractor who understands that will explain a duct sealing quote in detail.
Keep every written quote in one folder with its test report, so you can compare them side by side later. If two contractors disagree about the scope, ask each to explain the difference, because the answer usually reveals who tested the system and who guessed.
How to line up two or three offers
Ask each contractor for the same scope in writing, then compare line by line: test, materials, ducts covered, timeline, warranty and price. The cheapest duct sealing quote is not always the lowest value, and the most expensive is not always the best. Our FAQ and how leakage is tested help you check the details.
Check the contractor’s license and insurance in writing before you sign, and ask for references from recent local jobs. A transparent duct sealing quote and a contractor who answers questions plainly usually go together, and that is the offer worth taking.
Frequently asked questions
What should a duct sealing quote include?
Pre and post testing, materials, scope, price, timeline and warranty.
Is cheaper better?
Not always. A cheap quote may skip the test or use weak materials.
Should I get several quotes?
Yes, two or three with the same written scope make comparison easier.
What does a test cost?
Angi lists about $300, with a typical range of $200 to $450.
Ready to find out where your cool air is going?
Call us and tell us which rooms are giving you trouble. We will explain what a duct leakage test involves and book your duct sealing services St George crews can finish before the next heat wave.
Duct Sealing Pros
3430 S River Rd, St. George, UT 84790
(435) 281-0395
