Bathroom exhaust fan replacement

[graybuckle]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

[villagetinker]

I am looking at the same project as a DIY, so if anyone has done this, some words of wisdom?

[retiredguy123]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job
If that price includes the standard fan/light combination, it sounds like a reasonable price. The unit itself costs about $100-150.

You can try calling Aloha Larry, 561-239-0797, who is a good handyman.

[kathyspear]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

Does $290 include the fan or just labor?

kathy

[kathyspear]

I have installed Delta BreezSignature fans with their Humidity Sensor feature in multiple houses and really liked them. You can use them as a regular manually switched on fan OR set it to automatically come on as needed.

k.

[graybuckle]

Does $290 include the fan or just labor?

kathy

$290 was for parts and labor.

[retiredguy123]

$290 was for parts and labor.
That sounds like a reasonable price from a good company. I would go with it.

[Road-Runner]

I just had Lenhart electric out to the house to install new pendant lights and replace some fans with light kits & remotes. They did a fantastic job really taking the time to do a lot of measurements to center the lights perfectly over the angled counter, but it is shocking (no electrical work pun intended) how much this type of work costs now days! Still, after watching what they did I feel it was well worth the price paid and that it wouldn't have been done better by anyone else.

[jdulej]

Several years ago the hands down best (reliability and quietness) was made by Panasonic. The part alone was over $200.00 as I recall, but there was no competition if you took price out of the equation.

[C. C. Rider]

About 10 years ago, I replaced a burnt out bathroom exhaust fan myself. It was a pretty simple job. I don't remember the exact steps, but to the best of my recollection it was a simple matter of removing the old one (taking out a few screws) and replacing it with a new one.

The electrical connection was a simple "plug-in" unit where you plug one plastic part into another plastic part. The metal contacts are imbedded in the plastic parts kind of like a telephone cord connection.

Pretty simple really. If you can climb a few steps up a step ladder and operate a screwdriver, you can do the job.

[villagetinker]

About 10 years ago, I replaced a burnt out bathroom exhaust fan myself. It was a pretty simple job. I don't remember the exact steps, but to the best of my recollection it was a simple matter of removing the old one (taking out a few screws) and replacing it with a new one.

The electrical connection was a simple "plug-in" unit where you plug one plastic part into another plastic part. The metal contacts are imbedded in the plastic parts kind of like a telephone cord connection.

Pretty simple really. If you can climb a few steps up a step ladder and operate a screwdriver, you can do the job.

Not so simple in our house. The existing unit looks like a recessed lamp housing, with a fan mounted to the side. The new (aka better units) appear to be a square or rectangular hole, and not sure if these need to attach to a frame or rafter. I agree if I was going to replace in kind this would probably be a much simpler project, I was looking to upgrade at the same time.

[Luggage]

The best way to figure it out is to be able to get the old one out so you know the size . Fans can be 20-200 bucks . But since you can't do any of the work yourself, I would say the contractor has an electrical company is asking a standard price since they already paid for someone to estimate your cost and came out and they're going to have to be coming out again even if it takes 10 minutes they're going to bill you for 1 hour and the cost of the product. Has other people have said a handyman will probably be 50 bucks or 70 bucks cheaper but with lenhart will have a warranty and someone to get call back to .. I think that's worth the extra 50 bucks or so you might be saving

[fritzgb1]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

I work as a handy man and have replaced many of these fans. Lowe’s and HomeDepot both make a replacement motor that sells for between $20 and $30. A few screws and it’s an easy change the motor it self just plugs into the original ceiling mount.

[wganderson13]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

Buy replacement motor & blade. Parts $50 ? HS drop outs can do this. + 40 years maintenance Electrician. Call me, Walter 775 4245

[DLJ1657]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

Have an appointment for an electrician to replace mine next week. Purchased model he felt was good and more than adequate for a small bathroom for $135 and his charge to install is $250. Had another estimate from a company for $380 including the fan but the model they were going to use wasn’t the same grade as what I purchased.

[Stephen13]

When I replaced mine, I purchased the same brand because the upgraded unit fit perfectly because the housings were the same size. That way I didn't have to cut drywall. If I could fix the existing by only installing the motor, that's what I'm doing. It's just a bathroom exhaust fan.

[Paulgjr]

I have an exhaust fan without a light, so I simply removed the fan from the enclosure took it to Home Depot and found the replacement. You do not always have to replace everything.

[NoMoSno]

I am looking at the same project as a DIY, so if anyone has done this, some words of wisdom?
Do it in the winter if you have to go in the attic.

[richrjones]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

Jeff will do it in a reasonable time frame and at a fair price.
Call 352-702-6376.

[Rrout]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job


In the last year I have replaced all the exhaust fans in my Village home and my home in PA. Panasonic models are hands down the preferred units due to low noise levels as measured by decibel meters and reliability reviews.

I have used Lenhart for other electrical projects and found them to be technically competent and reasonably priced. The only caution is the standard exhaust fan they use in their quotes is not a Panasonic and not of the same quality in my opinion. I have both and would love to replace the one non-Panasonic model I have, as soon as I can rationalize the cost of replacing a fairly new unit hardly ever used in a guest bathroom.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

Sounds reasonable!

[Villageswimmer]

Have an appointment for an electrician to replace mine next week. Purchased model he felt was good and more than adequate for a small bathroom for $135 and his charge to install is $250. Had another estimate from a company for $380 including the fan but the model they were going to use wasn’t the same grade as what I purchased.

Could you please share the name of the electrician?

[Chi-Town]

Lenhart is the reasonable choice. Trying to find a fan that is an easy fix may be frustrating.

[OhioBuckeye]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

If we continue to pay it & it doesn’t make any difference if a few people think it’s to high or if people think it’s a good deal, as long as we pay it it’ll manage to keep going higher & higher. You can bet it’ll eventually continue to keep going up. That’s why I repair anything that I can! All I can say is if you can’t do it or find someone to do it for you, & if you want a fan you’ll have to pay it or do without. In this day & age nothing is getting cheaper!

[MandoMan]

I need to replace my bathroom exhaust fan. I can’t replace it myself. I got a $290 price from Lenhart ro replace it. That seems high. Has anyone had theirs replaced lately and for how much. Can anyone recommend another company or handyman for the job

I’m very handy. I installed two Panasonic ultra quiet fans in my Villages home last fall, replacing the weak and noisy ones that came with the house. The fans are virtually silent, though there is a whisper noise from the 110 cubic feet per minute of air being sucked out.

I recommend this one: Panasonic WhisperChoice-Pick-a-Flow-80-110-CFM-Ceiling-Bathroom-exhaust-Fan. $134 at Home Depot.

I do NOT recommend the one with the built in motion detector that turns on the fan and keeps it on for a certain number of minutes. I put in one of those, but that feature hasn’t worked well. In the other bathroom, I installed a timer in the switch box. That has worked great. The fan with timer and tax was maybe $165. It’s definitely worth the extra money to get one of these. Mine doesn’t have a light in it. I already have lights in my bathroom. Lights add to the cost.

BUT, this is NOT an easy project. I’m glad I have an 8’ stepladder because a 6’ ladder would have been scary at my age. The new fan is much larger than the cheap, poor quality original fan. After removing the original fan and wrestling it out of the hole, I used a template to cut a hole for the new one. Drywall dust and fiberglass showered down. The new fan fits into an expandable bracket that has to be screwed into the roof trusses on both sides. It isn’t easy, even with a good electric screw gun, to reach through a 12” hole, around the corner, holding the drill in one hand and the screw in the other, and get that screw in the wood. The bracket is necessary because the new fan weighs about 10 pounds. Then, I discovered that the electricians had followed code and driven a sturdy steel staple to hold down the electric cable close to the fan. To get enough cable to rewire, I had to loosen that staple, from below, working through a hole. That was really hard. Then I had to tape the metal exhaust hose to the outlet on the fan from below, before attaching the fan to the bracket. Everything else was pretty easy, but would I gladly pay $290 to an electrician plus the cost of the fan to get it put in professionally? You bet! It was exhausting work. It would have been easier if I were doing it in the attic with a helper, but have you ever tried kneeling on roof trusses surrounded by fiberglass in a hot attic with roofing nails in the sheathing just above your head? Pay the money and get the best fan on the market. Money well spent

[BEETHOVENMIKEY]

I use to do replacements for a living, as part of my job.
Some bath fans cost that much. Depends on what you need.
However, the exhaust fans used in the older homes and villas in TV are the low-end models.
Good news, is on most models, you can just replace the motor, in that is what usually goes bad, and can be easily replaced. Motor and time could be $150 or so.
However, if the entire unit needs to be replaced, opens a whole can of worms, especially if the air duct is not the same size as the old. Then, you have to get up in the attic and replace duct work. Even for an inexpensive fan, time, ducting and fan can easily be your $250 or more.
So... least expensive... just replace the motor of the existing fan and get another quote. If the whole thing needs replaced, try to replace with a fan that has the same size duct.

[4JRKR]

I am looking at the same project as a DIY, so if anyone has done this, some words of wisdom?

You will likely be able to replace the fan motor, without changing the existing fan housing, vent tube, and trim cover.

How - Do a YouTube search for your bath fan brand.

Or - Take the light cover off and remove the bulb. There is normally a screw or nut right under the bulb. Take off that nut to remove the fan trim cover. There may be a tension spring on each side of the trim cover holding the cover to fan housing. You will now be able to see the fan blades and mounting sheetmetal.

There will likely be a screw on one side of the fan mounting sheetmetal. Take off that screw and the fan can be removed. Most fans normally use a regular wall plug to electrically connect the fan to the fan housing. So no special wiring is required.

Remove the fan (with its mounting Sheetmetal and plug) and take it to a DIY store to find a replacement (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, etc). If they don’t have a replacement, do a web search for the brand of fan you have. Broan is a common brand.

Reverse the above process to install the replacement fan and mounting sheetmetal.

While your at it change the light bulb to a daylight LED.

[Villages Kahuna]

I bought a replacement from Home Depot (can’t remember price, but maybe $25-35). Then for $25 a handyman removed the old one and installed the new, in less than 30 minutes.

[DLJ1657]

Could you please share the name of the electrician?

Volthom Electric Inc. 352-789-2454

[doecats]

See if you can take the old fan down yourself or have a handyman do it.purchase a replacement fan from loses or home depot and install

[C. C. Rider]

The fan that I mentioned replacing in post #10 is a Nutone exhaust fan. It appears to be about 9" x 10" as the size of the plastic grill which fits nearly flush with the ceiling.

I simply replaced the old one which burned out with a new one of the same kind. No modifications to the ceiling, ductwork, or anything like that. Simply removed a few screws and unplugged the electrical connection of the old one and installed the new one in its place. Not much harder than changing a light bulb.

I don't recall the cost of the new motor/fan but I doubt that I paid over $35 for it 10 years ago.

[NoMoSno]

OP needs to clarify if they are replacing a complete unit or only need a replacement fan installed in an existing unit.

[Jaydancer]

OP needs to clarify if they are replacing a complete unit or only need a replacement fan installed in an existing unit.
This is just a general response to the question: we all want to get the best work for the best price, but what we often forget when assessing a quoted price is what goes behind it. First, the electrician has been to school and licensed, so you know that he is good at his job and won't set your house afire. You are paying for the tiniest part of that. Next, he, or she, must drive to your house in a van that is equipped for almost any eventuality, (there may be a bigger wiring issue for example) and require tools, parts, etc. Finally there is the initial cost of the van, the fuel, and wear and tear on the vehicle. When you look at it as a business person, Lennart gave you a very good price.

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

My bathroom fan was making a terrible racket. I bought a replacement motor/fan at Lowes and took old motor out and inserted new motor. Plug in. Inexpensive and easy.

[deano_hoosier]

He noted that he caulked around the inside of the grill's flange that fits up against the ceiling surface. You may run into a similar installation procedure if you do your own replacement. Just yanking down the installed grill area may have a surprise for you.

[obx2003]

$290 was for parts and labor.

That's a fair price unless the fan is a basic (loud) model.

[valuemkt]

The fan / light combo that comes in most /all bath and toilet areas are close to hood ornaments.. esp the fan. Saying it is an exhaust fan is an insult to the word exhaust. Most replacements have some type of CFM rating. Get one that moves as much air with as few decibels as you can stand. A competent electrician will cut in the fan with no visible drywall repair or painting required. They will also go up in the attic and insure that the fan is properly hooked up to exhaust the fumes and vapor properly.

[flsteve]

I’m very handy. I installed two Panasonic ultra quiet fans in my Villages home last fall, replacing the weak and noisy ones that came with the house. The fans are virtually silent, though there is a whisper noise from the 110 cubic feet per minute of air being sucked out.

I recommend this one: Panasonic WhisperChoice-Pick-a-Flow-80-110-CFM-Ceiling-Bathroom-exhaust-Fan. $134 at Home Depot.

I do NOT recommend the one with the built in motion detector that turns on the fan and keeps it on for a certain number of minutes. I put in one of those, but that feature hasn’t worked well. In the other bathroom, I installed a timer in the switch box. That has worked great. The fan with timer and tax was maybe $165. It’s definitely worth the extra money to get one of these. Mine doesn’t have a light in it. I already have lights in my bathroom. Lights add to the cost.

BUT, this is NOT an easy project. I’m glad I have an 8’ stepladder because a 6’ ladder would have been scary at my age. The new fan is much larger than the cheap, poor quality original fan. After removing the original fan and wrestling it out of the hole, I used a template to cut a hole for the new one. Drywall dust and fiberglass showered down. The new fan fits into an expandable bracket that has to be screwed into the roof trusses on both sides. It isn’t easy, even with a good electric screw gun, to reach through a 12” hole, around the corner, holding the drill in one hand and the screw in the other, and get that screw in the wood. The bracket is necessary because the new fan weighs about 10 pounds. Then, I discovered that the electricians had followed code and driven a sturdy steel staple to hold down the electric cable close to the fan. To get enough cable to rewire, I had to loosen that staple, from below, working through a hole. That was really hard. Then I had to tape the metal exhaust hose to the outlet on the fan from below, before attaching the fan to the bracket. Everything else was pretty easy, but would I gladly pay $290 to an electrician plus the cost of the fan to get it put in professionally? You bet! It was exhausting work. It would have been easier if I were doing it in the attic with a helper, but have you ever tried kneeling on roof trusses surrounded by fiberglass in a hot attic with roofing nails in the sheathing just above your head? Pay the money and get the best fan on the market. Money well spent

OMG! This reminds me of my experiences with a stupidly simple exhaust fan! I am handy at building things, but replacing an exhaust fan has been the single toughest job I have encountered!! SHOULD take 5 minutes, but NOOOOOO.... I will NEVER attempt it again! I paid to have my 2nd fan replaced. $200 was a ridiculous bargain.

[Seasonal]

I’m very handy. I installed two Panasonic ultra quiet fans in my Villages home last fall, replacing the weak and noisy ones that came with the house. The fans are virtually silent, though there is a whisper noise from the 110 cubic feet per minute of air being sucked out.

I recommend this one: Panasonic WhisperChoice-Pick-a-Flow-80-110-CFM-Ceiling-Bathroom-exhaust-Fan. $134 at Home Depot.

I do NOT recommend the one with the built in motion detector that turns on the fan and keeps it on for a certain number of minutes. I put in one of those, but that feature hasn’t worked well. In the other bathroom, I installed a timer in the switch box. That has worked great. The fan with timer and tax was maybe $165. It’s definitely worth the extra money to get one of these. Mine doesn’t have a light in it. I already have lights in my bathroom. Lights add to the cost.

BUT, this is NOT an easy project. I’m glad I have an 8’ stepladder because a 6’ ladder would have been scary at my age. The new fan is much larger than the cheap, poor quality original fan. After removing the original fan and wrestling it out of the hole, I used a template to cut a hole for the new one. Drywall dust and fiberglass showered down. The new fan fits into an expandable bracket that has to be screwed into the roof trusses on both sides. It isn’t easy, even with a good electric screw gun, to reach through a 12” hole, around the corner, holding the drill in one hand and the screw in the other, and get that screw in the wood. The bracket is necessary because the new fan weighs about 10 pounds. Then, I discovered that the electricians had followed code and driven a sturdy steel staple to hold down the electric cable close to the fan. To get enough cable to rewire, I had to loosen that staple, from below, working through a hole. That was really hard. Then I had to tape the metal exhaust hose to the outlet on the fan from below, before attaching the fan to the bracket. Everything else was pretty easy, but would I gladly pay $290 to an electrician plus the cost of the fan to get it put in professionally? You bet! It was exhausting work. It would have been easier if I were doing it in the attic with a helper, but have you ever tried kneeling on roof trusses surrounded by fiberglass in a hot attic with roofing nails in the sheathing just above your head? Pay the money and get the best fan on the market. Money well spent

I replaced three cheap and loud fans in my home over the past year. This quote follows my experience too. $290 is something that I would pay quickly for an expert to take on this task. My replacement fan was also a Panasonic with bracket. Panasonic fans are wonderful and such a difference from the cheap builder grade fans that were in place. Each fan took me 2-3 hours to replace myself. I also added an occupancy switch to each fan. Walk into the bathroom and the fan kicks on, goes off five minutes after the person leaves the bathroom.

[Bilyclub]

I have the crappy exhaust fans that are part of the recessed can light. One over the shower, the other for the toilet. They are loud and not pulling out much air. My plan is to install a very good fan in between the two and use to led retro can light kits to seal the old lights/fans. This would involve working in the attic so it'll have to wait until things cool down a little.