What is the Cost to Install Ceiling Fan to Keep Your Room Cool?

A ceiling fan is a mechanical fan that attaches directly to your ceiling and hangs down to provide air movement and ventilation to the surrounding area by rotating the blades. Since a ceiling fan can help you cool down a room and save on energy costs at the same time, many people wonder what the average cost to install ceiling fans are when they’re remodeling. This is an affordable and efficient alternative to central air or window air conditioning units, and ceiling fans give you a nice way to encourage airflow throughout your home. This is especially true if you have more than one fan on each level of your home. 

You can choose from commercial or residential-grade ceiling fans, and this will impact your cost to install ceiling fans because some are more complex. The more complex the project is, the more you’ll have in labor costs. The installation part of the project requires working with electrical wires, so it’s a good idea to call in a professional to do it for you to ensure that everything is correct and it’s not a fire hazard. However, this also leads to a big fluctuation in your total cost to install ceiling fans that makes it slightly more difficult to create a working budget. 

The fan size, style, type, and motors will also play a role in helping you determine your cost to install ceiling fans. The average price range starts at $250 and goes up to $650. Most people find their cost to install ceiling fans right around $400 for a five-blade rattan fan in the mid-price range. Labor costs will account for $100 to $250 of the project budget. A commercial setup can reach $3,500 or more. If you want to add a switch and writing, you’ll add another $150 to $500 to your original cost to install ceiling fans. 

Since this is a larger price range, it can be helpful to narrow it down a bit more before you start calling around for quotes. This way, not only will you have a rough budget in mind, but you’ll also have an idea of the type and style of fan you want, along with the material that is going to best match your decor. You can use this comprehensive guide to compare your options, mix and match styles, and get relevant price points for your project’s scope.

Installing new ceiling fans are a nice way to upgrade your room or support your new design aesthetic. It’s easy to find a style and type that match your decor, and there is a broad price range attached to fit almost any budget. 

Cost to Install Ceiling Fans by Style

Your fan’s style is one of the biggest driving factors when it comes to the cost to install ceiling fans. Function and size are also important, but style is one thing that changes from person to person. There is a broad range of styles available, and you can pick the one that fits best into your home design aesthetic. The most popular styles and their price points include: 

Contemporary

If you want to create a sleek and modern bathroom design, consider adding a contemporary fan. They fit well into minimalistic designs, and it’s very common to see monochrome color palettes with them. Picking out a more traditional style will increase your cost to install ceiling fans by $50.00 to $1,250. A designer-made contemporary style can easily exceed $2,800 for the fan alone. 

Farmhouse

The farmhouse decorating style has become very popular throughout the United States, and ceiling fans in this style support the look. Typically, this means that the fan has a traditionally rustic look and it uses mixed materials like metal and wood in the design. You can get one for as low as $50.00 going up to $1,200. If you want a designer option, it can increase your cost to install ceiling fans by $2,500. 

Fandelier

This is a newer trend that has your ceiling fan mimic the look of a chandelier. It includes a chandelier’s accoutrements and charm with the benefit of a fan. It’s very popular in dining rooms, bedrooms, and living or family rooms. This style will increase your cost to install ceiling fans slightly more, starting at $230 and going up to $2,000. Designer styles can reach an impressive $15,000 each. 

Hugger

If you’re looking for a low-profile style of fan that sits right up to the ceiling without compromising the airflow, consider the hygger style. These fans start at around $100, but they can go up to $1,000 with larger designs. The designer fan will increase your cost to install ceiling fans by around $2,000 per fan. 

Industrial

These fans are usually much larger than traditional fans, and they feature a metal design. You’ll get a much more simple and stripped back appearance that fits well in minimalist designs or warehouses. A lot of restaurants use these types of fans because they’re powerful. Your cost to install ceiling fans with them will start at $50.00 and go up to $500, and designer-inspired fans can reach $1,500. 

Lantern

Lantern-style ceiling fans fit well into smaller bedrooms or more intimate areas of your home. They mimic the design of traditional lanterns by featuring a hanging component that gets encased with a glass-like material. They also usually have a light on them. They cost to install ceiling fans of this type start at $150 and go up to $3,000, but a high-end option can reach $15,000. 

Mission

This is a more traditional ceiling fan with a lower profile that sits closer to your ceiling than other types. This usually won’t be the statement piece in your room, but they can help support your overall room’s design. This style fan will start at $100 and go up to $700. The total cost to install ceiling fans in this style will depend on the materials, and designer options can reach up to $1,500. 

Modern

A modern-style fan will fit wonderfully into any contemporary home design. They come with sleek, modern features that lends a streamlined appearance. You’ll typically find them made out of metal and wood to give them a two-toned appearance. On the low end for your cost to install ceiling fans of this style, you’ll pay around $40.00 a fixture. This can go up to $2,000 for the high-end, or $15,000 for a designer option. 

Rustic 

This fan fits right into any rustic designed home, and it has very timeless and sturdy features that usually come with an antique appearance to them. The cost to install ceiling fans of this type usually start around $50.00 and go up to $1,200, and your designer options will start at $2,500 and climb. 

Traditional 

These fans have a style that is deeply based in classic looks, and you can find them with antique or ornamented-style patterns. Many traditional fans come with wooden blades, and you can choose from different colors. The cost to install ceiling fans with a traditional flair start at $50.00 and to up to $900. If you want to splurge, designer models can fall around $3,000. 

Transitional

This is a mid-point design style that falls between a contemporary and traditional design. It uses a mixture of different elements from both traditional and contemporary styles to make them very easy to adapt to any room design. The cost to install ceiling fans with these features start at $50.00 and go up to $950 with designer options reaching $1,900. 

Tropical 

Tropical fans are more popular on patios or porches, but you can use them indoors to give your home an exotic appearance. They usually come with blades shaped like palm leaves. The prices start at $150 and go up to $1,900. If you want to know the cost to install ceiling fans in the designer tropical category, they can go up to over $10,000. 

Victorian

You’ll get an antique look with these ceiling fans, but they don’t have the same rough appearance that is usually found in rustic or farmhouse designs. These types of ceiling fans will easily showcase intricate details that set the Victorian era apart. Your cost to install ceiling fans will start at $100 and go up to $2,200 each. There are designer options that start around $5,000 and go up. 

Windmill

Windmill ceiling fans come with a farmhouse-like or rustic appearance to them. It has a distinctive feature when it comes to the blades though as there are usually more blades on it. The blade design can also mimic the look of a Dutch windmill to make it stand out more. The cost to install ceiling fans of this variety starts at $100 and goes up to $1,500. Your high-end options will start at $3,000 and go up. 

The ceiling fan style will have a big impact on your final price, especially if you decide to go with a higher-end designer option. They can easily cost over $1,000 per fan. The goal is to pick a style that matches or complements your decor. Living Room Ceiling Fan by VanZandt / CC BY-NC 2.0

Type of Ceiling Fan and Price Points

The type of ceiling fan you pick out will also influence your final cost to install ceiling fans. If your fan comes with a remote control or attachment, this can also make the price fluctuate, just like basic design features can. The price points for the most popular types of ceiling fans include: 

Directional

You can adjust your directional fan to point in whichever direction you’d like to have targeted airflow. This fan has a construction that works very similar to a standing fan, but it gets mounted upside down with a downrod. The cost to install ceiling fans in this category range from $150 to $800. 

Hanging Propeller

You’ll get a propeller and blades that hang downward with this fan type using a downrod. A downrod is a pole that extends from the fan’s base down. This fan will hang lower than other fans, so you really only want it if your ceilings are nine-feet or higher. Your costs to install ceiling fans in this type range from $150 to $500. 

Low-Profile

Low-profile designs are also called hugger fans or flush mount 2 2 fans. The goal of this design is to keep the blades very close to the ceiling, and they’re popular additions to lower drop ceilings. Your ceiling should be eight-feet or lower for this fan to work correctly. The cost to install ceiling fans will range from $50.00 to $300. 

Rotational

Dual motor or rotational fans usually have dual heads and work as a directional fan to allow you to direct the airflow wherever you want. They rotate on an axis, and you’ll typically spend between $200 and $1,500 for your total cost to install ceiling fans of this variety. 

Standard

You’ll find this type of fan in almost all homes. It will point straight downward with blades that rotate parallel to the floor and ceiling. It’s popular for them to have a light fixture in the center and have five blades. Your cost to install ceiling fans will start at $50.00 and go up to $300. 

Wall 

This is another directional fan that has an adjustable neck and mounts to the wall instead of to the ceiling. They allow you to have more angular direction to help you cool a specific area in your room instead of trying to cool down the whole room at once. Your cost to install ceiling fans of the wall mounted category ranges from $250 to $1,300. 

How Material Influences Your Ceiling Fan Costs

The choice of blade material can influence your cost to install ceiling fans by making the prices fluctuate. For example, say you picked out a standard wooden blade. This can lower the fan price by as much as 150% over choosing an ornately carved wooden fan blade. Colored steel blades will cost a lot more than a brushed-nickel finished steel blade. The most popular materials with their prices include: 

Aluminum

If you pick out a ceiling fan that has aluminum blades on it, it works well in the living room, dining room, kitchen, or office. You’ll get a much more modern and sleek look, and they have an aerodynamic function with a quiet run time. Your cost to install ceiling fans will start as low as $80.00 and go up to $400. 

Plastic

Plastic blades will usually help to keep your cost to install ceiling fans lower. You’ll see a lot of smaller fans that go in children’s rooms that utilize plastic blades. These utilize lightweight blades that can add a whimsical, fun touch to any playroom or nursery, and they’ll cost between $50.00 and $200. 

Steel

If you want a more industrial style, go with steel blades. They use stainless steel that is resistant to the climate, and you may see them installed in a pergola, pool room, or on a screened porch. This design works well in textured, mixed environments for a New York-style home design. You can expect to spend between $70.00 and $1,500 per fan. 

Wood

You can choose from a variety of wood shades and materials. You can get them pure stained, distressed, or aged, and they range from deep cherry to simple birch. You can also get intricate carvings on the blades that make them suitable for an office setting. The cost to install ceiling fans with wooden blades ranges from $100 to $1,400. The level of customization, craftsmanship, and the type of wood you pick will all dictate the price. 

The material for your ceiling fan will influence your overall price point with some material being far more expensive than others. You should pick out the material early on so you don’t fall in love with something outside of your budget. Coolest Ceiling Fan Ever by Ubi Desperare Nescio / CC BY-SA 2.0

Picking the Correct Ceiling Fan Size

Your ceiling fan’s size depends on the blade span. The blade span is the diameter range of the blades while the fan is on and they rotate. You can measure this two ways, depending on whether the fan has an even or odd blade number. The different sizes for your room sizes are: 

• 29-inches to 30-inches (75 sq/ft or less): $50.00 to $200
• 36-inches to 44-inches (76 to 144 sq/ft): $50.00 to $380
• 44-inches to 54-inches (145 to 225 sq/ft): $70.00 to $510
• 50-inches to 72-inches (226 to 400 sq/ft): $65.00 to $565

Labor Costs

There are several parts that can make your cost to install ceiling fans fluctuate. The ceiling fan unit’s price can range from $40.00 to $3,000, depending on the quality, design, and any additional features you may have. You’ll need an electrician to install them and wire the ceiling, and this can cost between $60.00 and $225. The installation’s complexity will be the biggest factor here. Per hour, you’ll usually pay between $60.00 and $90.00 an hour for labor, and it’ll usually take between 1 and 2½ hours to complete. 

The labor costs will cover the location and cutting the hole to mount the fan in your ceiling, and it also includes installing the ceiling fan support bracket and the ceiling joists. The price covers any wiring the electrician has to do, placing the fan, and installing the power switch. It also includes any equipment or installation materials needed to complete the job. 

Replacement Costs for Your Ceiling Fan

Your cost to install ceiling fans will be higher if there was previously no fan at the location when you compare it to replacing an existing fan. If you install a new fan from scratch, you’ll have to bring in an electrician to go in and install more wiring to accommodate the fan’s power needs. You may also find yourself having to update your wiring. 

This changes when you replace an existing fan with a new one. There is usually no need to update any wiring and the labor is less complex. You may have to replace an older fan if it stops working, deteriorates, gets discolored, or if you want to refresh the look of your room and update it. If you currently have a high-end fan, it will cost between $60.00 and $400 to repair it instead of outright replacing it. 

Cost to Install Ceiling Fans with Lights

There are several different ceiling fan styles available, and many of them come with lights. If your fan has a light, your cost to install ceiling fans will go up because you’ll have to factor wiring into the project. In many cases, you can use existing wiring from a previous fan. It’s relatively easy to adjust it to accommodate a light if the old fan didn’t have one. It’ll increase  your cost to install ceiling fans by $40.00 to $80.00 if it has a light. 

For example, say that your lantern fan costs start at $150. If you bought a basic lantern fan that includes a light, the price would go up to $230. If you had a rustic fan, you could get it for around $150. Adding a light would take the price to $200 or so. The total cost to install ceiling fans with lights will vary depending on the features, brand, and the type of fan you pick out. 

Price to Add a Remote Control

Convenience is huge with today’s home features. So it makes sense that adding a remote control is very popular with today’s ceiling fans. They allow you to adjust the fan or turn it on and off without having to pull a cable or get up and flip a switch each time. This will cost between $130 and $1,000, depending on the fan and wiring requirements needed. 

DIY or Hire a Local Contractor

It can be very dangerous to DIY an electrical system if you’re not qualified or experienced to hook up home circuits or work around electrical panels. If you’ve ever seen a fan that droops or wobbles, it was most like a DIY project. Your fan has to have the correct wiring, but it also has to have the correct supports with a very level installation to reduce vibrations. 

This is why it’s generally considered a good idea to hire a local professional contractor or company to tackle this project for you. You don’t want to damage your ceiling or have an accident, so bring in a professional contractor and electrician. 

Where to Find Ceiling Fan Installers Near You

It’s essential that you pick out a professional company or handyman to perform this project for you. Doing so will help you get a fan that lasts for years and is correctly installed. It’s a good idea to call a few people to get an average cost to install ceiling fan estimate in your area, and you can start here: 

• Ceiling Fan Installation Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking at the most frequently asked questions will help you create a realistic budget for your project. You’ll get the fan you want without sacrificing quality. Thanksgiving 09 ceiling fan by dangerismycat / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

There are several questions you should line up before you start calling companies and getting quotes for the cost to install ceiling fans. Asking each company the same questions will give you accurate and consistent answers across the board, and you can go with the company that suits your budget the best. 

1. What are reputable brands for ceiling fans?

The best brands you can pick out for your ceiling fans have a high rating for functionality and durability. Some of the more well-known options on the market include Casablanca, Emerson, Hunter, Kichler, Minka Aire, and Monte Carlo. Your contractor can point you in the direction of good brands too. 

2. How long will it take to install your ceiling fan?

Since labor costs will play a significant role in your final cost to install ceiling fans, knowing how long the project takes is important. The timeframe will depend on how complex your particular fan’s installation process is and whether or not you already have wiring in place. Generally speaking, it usually takes between one and three hours from start to finish. 

3. What is the average cost for a ceiling fan to run each year?

If you run the fan nonstop for a full year, it’ll cost between $44.00 and $88.00. This price estimate assumes that it’ll cost anywhere from $0.05 to $0.09 to run your fan for every hour. This estimate comes based on the 50 to 80 kilowatts per hour average for most of these fans, and the average national rate of $0.11 for every kilowatt of electricity you use. 

4. How much does it cost for an outdoor ceiling fan?

If you want to add a ceiling fan to a gazebo, pergola, or other outdoor living space, your cost to install ceiling fans will range from $100 to $300. If the project requires wiring, you’ll pay between $500 to $1,500 more for the electrical boxes, switch, and circuit. Your fan will also have to be outdoor specific because this makes it more weather-resistant. 

Bottom Line

The average cost to install ceiling fans has a large range of factors attached to it. You want to look carefully and see which ones do and don’t apply to your situation. This way, you can create a rough estimate before you call and contractors and see how it stacks up to their project estimates. This way, you’ll get the fan you want without blowing through your budget.