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.
Styles & brands we work with
- Whole-home duct cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Camera inspection
- Sanitizing & deodorizing
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterHow Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost in Columbia?
Air duct cleaning in Columbia, MD typically costs between $300 and $550 for an average single-family home, with most Howard County houses landing around $400. Larger homes with multiple HVAC zones, finished basements, or heavy buildup can run $600 to $900 depending on vent count and system layout. We give you a written estimate before any work starts, so the number you see is the number you pay.
That figure covers a full-system cleaning using professional-grade Rotobrush and Nikro equipment, not a surface pass with a shop vacuum. Columbia’s housing stock is a big reason pricing lands where it does: most homes here were built between the late 1960s and the 1990s, and decades of use on a single duct system means more accumulation than you’d find in newer construction. Townhomes in neighborhoods like Oakland Mills and Long Reach often have tighter, more compact duct runs that take less time, while detached homes in Kings Contrivance or River Hill with finished lower levels usually have longer runs and more registers to cover.
Our technicians have up to 13 years of experience, and we can work with your insurer when a covered event is part of the problem. Call (866) 643-6070 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm.
Key Takeaways
- Typical air duct cleaning in Columbia runs $300 to $550 for an average home.
- Price is driven by vent count, square footage, system layout, and buildup severity, not by a flat rate.
- Cleaning is only half the job if your ducts have leaks or disconnected runs. Repair is priced separately, and we handle both.
- Free written estimates, upfront pricing, no surprises after the work.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how the numbers break down for Columbia homes. Every line is an estimate; the written estimate you receive sets the final price.
| Service Line Item | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard air duct cleaning (up to 10 vents) | $300 – $400 |
| Air duct cleaning (11 – 15 vents) | $400 – $550 |
| Air duct cleaning (16+ vents or multiple zones) | $550 – $900 |
| Dryer vent cleaning (single run) | $125 – $200 |
| Dryer vent cleaning (long or complex run) | $200 – $275 |
| Duct repair (reconnect, reseal, or patch a run) | $150 – $500 |
| Full duct repair with multiple failed connections | $500 – $1,200 |
| Sanitizing or antimicrobial treatment add-on | $75 – $200 |
What drives the price up: more vents, a second HVAC system, finished square footage, and ducts that haven’t been touched since the house was built. Columbia’s older neighborhoods frequently fall into that last category, and it shows once the brush and vacuum get into a main trunk line. What brings it down: a simple single-zone layout, a system that’s been cleaned before, and combining work into one visit so you’re not paying for two trips.
One thing worth saying plainly: if a company quotes you $99 for a whole house in Columbia, that price doesn’t cover a real cleaning. A proper job uses a rotary brush system and a high-powered negative-pressure vacuum for each run. It takes hours, not minutes. Our pricing reflects professional-grade equipment and a containment-first process, and our air duct cleaning work is documented from start to finish.
What Affects Air Duct Cleaning Pricing in Columbia
No two Columbia homes price the same. Here’s what actually moves the number:
- Number of vents and returns. A 1,800-square-foot townhome in Ellicott City’s neighbor communities might have 10 supply vents; a larger detached home in Clarksville or Fulton could have 18. Each vent takes time, and time is most of the cost.
- Number of HVAC systems. Many Columbia-area homes built in the 1980s and 1990s have a single system, but newer or remodeled homes with a second zone in the basement or addition add a whole second duct network to clean.
- Buildup severity. Homes near Route 29 and Route 32 see the usual Central Maryland mix of pollen, humidity, and seasonal dust. Systems that haven’t been cleaned in a decade take more time, which is why we ask about service history before quoting.
- Duct access and layout. Flex duct in a tight attic space, or a system where main trunks run through finished walls, changes how long the job takes. Access matters more than square footage here.
- Whether repair is needed. Loose joints, disconnected branches, and crushed flex runs are common in older duct systems. If we find them during the clean, we’ll tell you before any repair work starts, with a separate price.
- Dryer vent cleaning as an add-on. Most Columbia homeowners combine it with the duct job, and bundling saves on labor. The dryer vent is a separate system with its own lint buildup risk, and it’s worth cleaning on its own schedule.
We use Abatement Technologies filtration equipment for containment-grade particulate control, which matters in occupied homes where you don’t want loose dust circulating during the job. If your whole-home air quality is the bigger concern, we work with the same IAQ brands your HVAC installer trusts: Honeywell and Aprilaire.
Why Air Duct Cleaning Often Comes With Repair in Columbia
Older duct systems leak. Seams separate, flex runs get crushed behind supply registers, and the trunk line that runs through an unfinished basement can develop gaps that pull in unconditioned air. Cleaning a system with leaks doesn’t solve the problem; it cleans around it. That’s why we built Air Duct Repair into the same service visit. We repair what others only clean around. If the estimate needs a repair line, you’ll see it in writing before we touch anything.
How to Save on Air Duct Cleaning
You don’t need a coupon to keep the cost down. You need to know what you actually have.
- Count your vents before you call. Walk the house and count supply registers and returns. When you give us that number, the estimate is more accurate and there are no surprises on the invoice.
- Bundle dryer vent cleaning into the same visit. One trip, one setup, less labor overall. It’s the easiest way to get more done for less than two separate service calls.
- Get the repair priced in the same visit. If we find a failing connection during cleaning, handling it then costs less than booking a second appointment later.
- Skip the upcharge add-ons you don’t need. Sanitizing treatments help in specific cases, like after a moisture issue or a pet situation. We’ll tell you honestly when it’s not worth it for your home.
- Ask for the free estimate in writing. Call (866) 643-6070 and we’ll put a number on paper. No fee, no obligation, no pressure.
One more thing: the cheapest quote isn’t always the cheapest job. A one-pass vacuum cleaning costs less up front but leaves the buildup on the duct walls and never touches the joints. You end up paying again sooner. Our approach is the opposite: clean the whole pathway, document the condition, and repair what’s failing so the system stays clean longer.
FAQs – Air Duct Cleaning Cost
How much does air duct cleaning cost in Columbia, MD?
Most Columbia homes pay $300 to $550 for standard air duct cleaning, with larger or multi-zone homes running $550 to $900. The final figure depends on vent count, number of systems, and how much buildup is in the ducts. Call (866) 643-6070 for a free written estimate.
Is it cheaper to clean or replace air ducts?
Cleaning is almost always cheaper than replacement, and it’s the right first step for most homes. Replacing ductwork in a Columbia house typically runs thousands of dollars, while cleaning is a few hundred and repair of isolated failures falls in the $150 to $1,200 range. If your ducts are crushed beyond repair or the system is undersized, we’ll tell you that plainly rather than clean around a problem you’ll pay for later.
How much does dryer vent cleaning cost in Columbia?
Dryer vent cleaning in Columbia typically runs $125 to $200 for a standard run, and up to $275 for a long or complex vent path. Dryer vents clog with lint and reduce airflow, which is a real safety issue with any dryer. It’s usually worth adding to a duct cleaning visit so you’re not paying for a second trip. Call (866) 643-6070 to price both together.
Can you come today if I need duct cleaning in Columbia?
Same-day service is often available for duct cleaning and dryer vent work. To get on the schedule, call (866) 643-6070. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Estimates are free and upfront, so you know the number before we start.
How often should air ducts be cleaned in a Columbia home?
Most homes here benefit from cleaning every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if you’ve had renovation dust, a moisture issue, or visible buildup at the registers. Columbia’s older housing stock is a factor: homes built in the 1970s and 1980s with original duct systems tend to accumulate more than newer construction. If you’re not sure, a free inspection will tell you where you stand. Call (866) 643-6070.
Do you clean dryer vents, too?
Yes. We handle three service lines: air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, and duct repair. That means one team for your entire ventilation pathway, ducts, vents, and connections, handled start to finish. No need to call three separate contractors for a single system.
If you want the full picture on what a professional clean involves, our team at Stallion Air Duct Cleaning explains the process and equipment. From rotary brush systems to containment-grade filtration, we bring professional-grade equipment, not repurposed hardware-store vacuums.
Ready for a real number? Call (866) 643-6070 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Licensed and insured, with upfront pricing and a written estimate on every job. Your entire ventilation system, ducts, vents, and connections, handled start to finish by technicians who understand how HVAC systems actually work.
Pricing reflects the Columbia market as of 2026. Stallion Air Duct Cleaning offers free estimates. Call (866) 643-6070.
What Our Customers Say
"Two guys, about three hours, plastic down at every register, and they wiped the vent covers before putting them back."
- Hector Delgado"My wife's allergies had been bad in this house since we moved in. It's been two months since they did the ducts and it's noticeably better. Not a miracle, but real."
- Jerome Prince"Job was done well and the house smells better. There was some dust knocked loose around a couple of the registers that I had to wipe down afterward."
- Jennifer Kowalski