Short answer: a full, proper duct cleaning for a typical house in Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora or Newmarket usually costs a few hundred dollars, commonly in the range of about $300 to $700. Larger homes, homes with two furnaces and add-ons like dryer vent cleaning cost more. Offers far below that, such as “$99 whole-house duct cleaning”, almost always grow once the crew is inside. Our guide: Is $99 duct cleaning a scam?
What changes the price
- Number of vents. More supply and return openings means more runs to brush and extract.
- Size and layout of the home. Bungalows, two-storeys and homes with finished basements all take different amounts of time.
- Number of furnaces. Larger homes in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham often have two systems.
- How dirty the system is. Renovation dust, new-build debris, pets and years without cleaning all add time.
- Add-ons. Dryer vent cleaning, antimicrobial treatment and furnace blower cleaning.
- Access. Condos can involve elevator bookings and parking.
What a proper duct cleaning should include
- Every supply and return duct, not just the main trunk
- Registers and return grilles removed and cleaned
- The furnace blower area and cold air return
- Mechanical agitation with rotating brushes, plus strong extraction
- Protection for floors and walls at every opening
- A chance to see what came out
If a quote does not say what is included, ask before you book.
Why $99 duct cleaning rarely stays $99
A very low advertised price usually covers a few vents or the main trunk only. Once the crew is inside, extra charges are added for each vent, the furnace, “mould treatment” or “sanitizing”. Ontario homeowners have complained about these tactics for years, which is part of why the province changed the law.
Ontario law protects you
Since March 1, 2018, duct cleaning cannot be sold at your door in Ontario unless you invited the company first. A contract signed that way is void. Contracts for duct cleaning signed at home also come with a 10-day cooling-off period, during which you can cancel. If someone knocks offering duct cleaning, you do not have to let them in.
Is duct cleaning worth the money?
It is worth it when there is something to remove: renovation or construction dust, years of buildup, pet hair, pests or a musty smell when the furnace starts. It is not a cure-all, and a good company will tell you if your ducts do not need cleaning yet. Read how often you should clean your air ducts.
How to compare quotes
- Ask for a written quote for the whole job, including every vent and the furnace.
- Ask what equipment is used. Rotating brushes plus strong extraction clean far better than suction alone.
- Ask what add-ons cost before the crew starts.
- Check recent reviews from your area.
- Avoid anyone who sells at the door or pushes same-day upgrades.
Questions to ask before you book duct cleaning
A short phone call tells you most of what you need to know about a duct cleaning company. Ask these questions before you agree to a date, and write the answers down so you can compare quotes fairly.
- Is the price for the whole system or per vent? A per-vent price can grow fast in a two-storey home with a finished basement.
- Are the return ducts included? Returns usually hold more dust than supply runs, so a cleaning that skips them is only half done.
- Is the furnace blower and cabinet cleaned? Dust left in the blower is pushed straight back into clean ducts.
- What equipment will you use? Look for rotating brushes and strong extraction under negative pressure, not a shop vacuum at each register.
- Is the dryer vent included, or priced separately? It is a different job and should be listed on its own line.
- Will I get a written quote before work starts? If the answer is no, keep looking.
How to prepare your home for a duct cleaning visit
Preparation keeps the visit short and lets the technician reach every part of the system. Clear a path to the furnace and to each register, and move furniture or rugs that sit on top of floor vents. Make sure someone can reach the furnace shut-off and the electrical panel. If you have pets, keep them in a closed room, because the equipment is loud and the front door may be open while hoses run to the truck. In a condo or townhouse, check parking and elevator rules in advance.
How to tell the job was done properly
A good duct cleaning leaves evidence you can check yourself. Before the technician leaves, ask to see inside one or two supply and return vents with a flashlight. The metal should look clean, not just the first few centimetres. Look inside the furnace blower compartment as well. Ask for before and after photos if they were taken. Replace the furnace filter right away, or confirm the technician did, so dust from the next weeks is caught at the filter instead of settling in clean ducts.
Getting an honest duct cleaning quote near you
UltiClean cleans the full system, supply and return ducts, the furnace blower and registers, with a rotating brush and high-power extraction, and gives you a written quote before any work starts. See air duct cleaning or the local pages for duct cleaning in Toronto, Vaughan and Richmond Hill.
Duct Cleaning Cost FAQs
How long does duct cleaning take?
A few hours for most houses, longer for large homes or two furnaces.
Is dryer vent cleaning included?
It depends on the company. Ask. It is worth adding, because lint buildup is a fire hazard.
Do condos cost less?
Condo systems are usually smaller, but long dryer vent runs and building logistics can add time.
UltiClean quotes the full job in writing before any work starts and never sells door to door. See duct cleaning in Toronto, air duct cleaning in Vaughan and air duct cleaning in Richmond Hill, or call (647) 676-0576.
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Carpets, air ducts and tile and grout across Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan and Toronto.
Written by
Carpet, air duct and tile cleaning specialist at UltiClean
Seyedamir (Amir) Vafamand has 12 years of hands-on experience cleaning carpets, upholstery, air ducts, dryer vents and tile and grout in homes across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket. This guide is based on that work.
- 12 years of experience
- 1,100+ jobs completed on Jiffy
- 98% approval rating
- $2M liability insurance
UltiClean Air Duct & Carpet Cleaning Services
54 Limeridge St
Aurora, ON L4G 7X9
(647) 676-0576, open 24 hours, 7 days a week