Whole-home duct cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning
Camera inspection
Sanitizing & deodorizingWhole-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.
Trusted Air Duct Repair for Cambridge Homeowners
Leaky, crushed or disconnected ductwork is why a room never gets warm, why dust settles on the furniture an hour after you wipe it, and why your heating bill keeps climbing while comfort drops. Repairs close those gaps. In Cambridge, where triple-deckers and older homes have often had their ductwork rerouted more than once, we see a lot of disconnected runs, taped-over joints that have since failed, and flex duct pinched behind dropped ceilings. Our technicians have up to 11 years of experience finding those problems and fixing them at the source. We diagnose with the system, use Rotobrush and Nikro equipment for the cleaning that comes with repair work, and back the job with a flat price per system agreed in writing before we start. Same-day service is available. Call (888) 393-0038.
Key Takeaways
- We repair, replace and install ductwork and clean ducts – one point of contact for the whole system.
- Every job is quoted per system, not per vent, with the price set by the written estimate.
- Before-and-after photos of your own ducts come with every job.
- Independent local professionals perform the work; technicians have up to 11 years of experience.
HVAC Duct Installation
HVAC Duct Installation is the design and fitting of a complete duct system, from trunk lines to the last supply register, either for a new layout or a home that never had ducts. You need it when you’re adding central air to a house that’s only ever had radiators, finishing a basement, converting an attic, or reworking a system that was laid out badly from the start. We plan the runs, size the supplies and returns, seal the joints, and test airflow before we call it finished. Prices for installation in Cambridge typically run from about $2,800 to $7,500 depending on how many runs the layout needs and whether the system is going into new construction or a tight retrofit, with the written estimate setting the final price.
Planning the Layout First
Airflow problems usually start at the drawing stage: undersized returns, supplies crammed into one side of a room, or long flex runs that strangle the pressure. We walk the space, check where the mechanicals sit, and lay out routes before anything is cut. A good plan saves more money than a fast install ever will.
Sealing and Testing the Runs
Every joint gets sealed, not just taped, because a taped joint in a hot attic or a cold basement tends to let go. Once the runs are in, we check static pressure and airflow so rooms hit the temperature they should. If something doesn’t read right, we adjust it before we leave.
Styles & brands we work with
- Whole-home duct cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Camera inspection
- Sanitizing & deodorizing
Air Duct Replacement
Air Duct Replacement means removing old duct runs and fitting new ones in their place, rather than patching what’s already there. It’s the right call when ductwork is collapsing internally, when foil-faced flex has torn or lost its liner, when rust or mold has eaten through a run, or when an older system was built with materials that no longer hold up. We pull the old runs, clean and inspect the cavities, then install new ductwork and seal it properly. Replacement work in Cambridge typically runs $2,200 to $6,400 depending on how much of the system is being replaced and how accessible the runs are, with the written estimate setting the final price.
When Patching Stops Making Sense
A single failed joint or a short crushed section is worth repairing. Once several runs are compromised, or the duct material itself is breaking down, patching becomes a string of return visits. Our technicians read the system honestly and tell you which side of that line you’re on.
Choosing Duct Materials
Rigid sheet metal holds up well in exposed basements and long trunk runs. Sealed flex is often the practical choice where a run has to thread through tight ceiling cavities. We match the material to the route instead of forcing one option everywhere.
Ductwork Repair
Ductwork Repair covers the fix work on duct systems that are still structurally sound but leaking, disconnected, sagging or crushed at a pinch point. Common calls are for disconnected runs over a garage or crawlspace, joints that have separated under the floor, crushed flex behind a soffit, and holes chewed through by pests. We inspect the full run, clean the section with Rotobrush rotary brush equipment where debris has collected, then seal and reconnect it. Ductwork repair in Cambridge typically costs $350 to $1,400 depending on how many runs are affected and how hard they are to reach, with the written estimate setting the final price.
Finding the Leak, Not Guessing
Most homeowners can point to the room that’s cold but have no idea where the loss happens. We trace the run from register back to the plenum, check the joints, and confirm the fix with pressure readings before and after. That way the improvement is measured, not assumed.
Sealing Methods We Use
Mastic and mesh tape on sheet metal, proper flex collars at connections, and mastic-sealed seams at every joint we touch. A repair held together with duct tape alone usually fails again within a couple of seasons. We seal it to stay sealed.
Duct Replacement
Duct Replacement is the larger-scope version of the job: swapping out a whole section or the entire duct system when repair won’t get you where you need to go. It comes up when a home is being gut-renovated, when the original duct was sized for a furnace that’s long gone, or when the system has been patched enough times that a fresh start is cheaper. The work includes removal, disposal, new duct measured and fitted to the current equipment, and sealing throughout. Duct replacement in Cambridge typically runs $2,600 to $6,800 depending on scope and access, with the written estimate setting the final price.
Sizing to Current Equipment
Duct sized for a 1970s furnace rarely suits a modern high-efficiency unit. We measure the blower output and size the trunk and branches to match, so the new system isn’t fighting old decisions. That step is what separates a replacement that works from one that just looks new.
Disposal and Cleanup
Old duct comes out, gets hauled away, and the work area is left swept. We photograph the before and after so you can see what came out and what went in. Nothing gets hidden behind a ceiling panel.
Ductwork Installation
Ductwork Installation means fitting new duct runs into a space that needs them, whether that’s a single added room, a garage conversion, a basement finish, or a full mechanical upgrade. It’s needed whenever an existing system doesn’t reach a space, or when the equipment is new and the duct has to be built to suit it. We design the layout around the equipment, run sealed duct, and check the airflow at each register. Ductwork installation in Cambridge typically costs $1,600 to $5,200 depending on how many runs are involved and how difficult the routing is, with the written estimate setting the final price. We pair installation with a full system cleaning so the new work isn’t feeding dust back into the house.
Retrofit Routing Challenges
Older Cambridge homes often have no obvious chase for new duct. We look at soffits, closet walls, bulkheads and crawl routes to find a path that keeps runs short without wrecking a room. A sensible route matters as much as the duct itself.
Register Placement
Where a register lands changes how a room feels. We place supplies to cover the occupied space instead of blowing straight at a sofa or a bed. Returns get positioned to pull air across the room, which is what actually evens out the temperature.
Brands We Work With
We service Rotobrush rotary brush systems and Nikro HEPA-rated vacuum equipment, and our technicians know where those machines wear and when to swap heads or filters. We also use Abatement Technologies air-filtration units on jobs that call for HEPA containment and negative pressure during the work. Honeywell and Aprilaire indoor air quality hardware is another part of the job: when we find a humidifier or air cleaner tied into your duct, we work with it rather than around it. We don’t claim dealership or exclusive partnerships. What we do is understand the equipment well enough to use it correctly and clean around it safely.
Guardsman products show up on jobs where we’re protecting finished surfaces and sealing materials during the work. If your system carries one of these brands or another make entirely, whether you have Rotobrush-cleaned duct, Nikro-serviced equipment, Honeywell controls, or an Aprilaire humidifier in the mix, we can help. The brands are a guide, not a filter on who we’ll work for.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Uneven room temperatures. One room warm, another cold, with no obvious cause, usually means a disconnected or crushed run. It costs money every month you leave it alone.
- Dust settling right after cleaning. If surfaces coat over within a day of dusting, air is being drawn through gaps in the duct instead of from the rooms. That’s a repair issue, not a cleaning one.
- Whistling or roaring at the registers. Noise at supply or return usually points to a pressure problem from a crushed section or an undersized run. Left alone, it strains the blower.
- Visible tape failure or sagging runs. Duct tape that’s peeling, or flex sagging between hangers, is letting air out. It’s a simple fix while caught early and a bigger one after a season of heat and cold cycles.
- Rising energy bills with no usage change. A leaky duct system can be why the furnace or AC runs longer for the same comfort. A system check with pressure readings tells you where the loss is.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Walk-through and system check. We start by looking at the equipment, the layout, and the rooms that aren’t working, then confirm what we suspect with a pressure gauge and a visual inspection of accessible runs. We don’t quote a repair until we know what’s actually failing.
- 2
Written estimate per system. You get one flat price for the job, not a per-vent figure and not a coupon that grows once the technician is on site. The estimate lists what’s included and what the final price is based on. That written number is the number.
- 3
Containment and cleaning. Where the repair involves duct that will be opened, we set up HEPA-rated containment with Nikro or Abatement Technologies equipment so the dust we disturb doesn’t end up in your living room. Rotobrush rotary brush work clears debris from the affected sections.
- 4
The repair itself. We reconnect, seal and secure the duct, using the material that suits the run. Joints are sealed properly, and any compromised duct found along the way gets flagged and handled in the same visit where possible.
- 5
Test, document, walk you through. We re-check pressure and airflow, then show you before-and-after photos of your own ductwork. If a follow-up is needed, that’s on the estimate, not a surprise later.
How Much Does Air Duct Repair Cost in Cambridge?
Air duct repair in Cambridge typically costs $350 to $1,400 for ductwork repair on existing runs, and $2,200 to $6,400 when the system needs air duct replacement. A typical ductwork repair in Cambridge runs $350 to $1,400 depending on the number of runs affected and how much of the system is reachable without cutting. A full replacement in a mid-size home generally lands between $2,200 and $6,400, and new HVAC duct installation ranges from about $2,800 to $7,500 depending on layout. Duct replacement, when an entire system is swapped out, sits around $2,600 to $6,800, and ductwork installation for added rooms runs $1,600 to $5,200. These are typical ranges, not a quote. The written estimate sets the final price.
What moves the number: how many runs are involved, whether the duct is accessible from a basement, attic or crawlspace, the material used, and whether the repair happens alongside a cleaning. A single crushed run is quick. A whole system hidden behind plaster takes longer.
The way to avoid overpaying is to ask for the flat price up front and a written estimate with the scope spelled out. Steer clear of per-vent pricing and promo figures that change once the technician arrives. Our free estimate includes the diagnostic check, a clear explanation of what’s failing, and before-and-after photos when the work is done, so you can see what you paid for.
Our Service Area Near Cambridge
We cover Cambridge and the surrounding communities, including Somerville, Medford, Belmont, Watertown Town, Nahant, Topsfield, Littleton Common, Cordaville and Hopkinton. Most jobs in the immediate area are booked within a day or two, and same-day slots open up regularly. If you’re further out, call and we’ll confirm timing for your address. You can read more about our Cambridge coverage or our teams working in Nahant and Topsfield.
Serving Cambridge, MA – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Cambridge and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Repair in Cambridge
Air duct repair is the fix work done on duct systems that are leaking, disconnected, crushed or damaged, so the air your equipment produces actually reaches the rooms. It’s different from cleaning, which removes built-up debris from a duct that’s structurally fine. In practice the two often go together: we clean the duct, find the failed joint or crushed run while we’re in there, and repair it. Our technicians have up to 11 years of experience with this work, and we use professional-grade equipment from Rotobrush and Nikro rather than consumer vacuums.
Most single-run repairs take two to four hours. Larger jobs, like replacing a full section of duct or installing new runs, typically take a day or more. The written estimate tells you what to expect before anything starts. We also check airflow at the end, which adds a little time but confirms the job worked.
Ductwork repair in Cambridge typically runs $350 to $1,400, while air duct replacement generally runs $2,200 to $6,400. Ductwork installation for new runs sits around $1,600 to $5,200, and full HVAC duct installation from $2,800 to $7,500. The written estimate sets the final price. Call (888) 393-0038 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
Yes. We use Rotobrush rotary brush systems and Nikro HEPA-rated vacuums on every duct job that calls for them, and our technicians know how those machines perform on different duct materials. We also work with Abatement Technologies filtration units for jobs that need containment, plus Honeywell and Aprilaire air quality hardware tied into your system. Whatever equipment your home carries, we can help.
Yes, same-day service is available. We answer 24/7, and fast dispatch runs from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday; a call outside dispatch hours gets booked into the next opening. We’re closed on Saturday. Call (888) 393-0038 and we’ll give you a realistic time window for your Cambridge address.
We stand behind the work we do: the seal, the materials and the installation. The specific terms for your job are set out in the written estimate before you commit, so you can see what you’re getting. We also provide before-and-after photos of your own ductwork, so you have a record of what was done.
Clear access to the registers and to the basement, attic or crawlspace where the duct runs are visible. If you have pets, put them somewhere comfortable away from the work area. Note the rooms that heat or cool poorly and what times of day are worst, which helps us trace the cause faster. Beyond that, you don’t need to do anything; we set up containment and clean up after ourselves. Call (888) 393-0038 if you want to talk through access before your appointment.
Schedule Your Air Duct Repair Service in Cambridge Today
If a room won’t heat, if dust keeps settling, or if your bills are climbing, the fix is usually in the duct, not the equipment. Call (888) 393-0038 for a free, no-obligation estimate. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. You get a flat price per system agreed in writing before work starts, professional-grade equipment, and before-and-after photos of your own ducts. Every job is spelled out in the written estimate, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Duct Cleaning Cambridge handles cleaning, repair and dryer vent work as one job when that’s what your system needs.
Written by the team at Duct Cleaning Cambridge.