How Much Does Ceiling Fan Installation Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $144 - $353

Standard ceiling fan installation costs $249 on average, depending on the number of fans.

How we get this data
View from above of ceiling fan looking down
Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock
Lyle Hendriks
Written by Lyle Hendriks
Contributing Writer
Updated December 5, 2023
View from above of ceiling fan looking down
Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock

Bringing a cool new look to your home? A new ceiling fan comes with a price tag between $85 and $620 without complex wiring. With labor included, the average cost for the whole project for most breeze-seeking homeowners is around $249. You'll fall on the higher end if adding your new fan involves a challenging installation. See what your actual cost might be with our quick guide.

See the price range for fan installation in
your area
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$144 - $353
  • Average
  • $249
  • Low end
  • $85
  • high end
  • $620
LOWHIGH

Ceiling Fan Installation Cost Breakdown

Unless you already know how to install a ceiling fan, you’ll have to factor installation labor costs into your budget for this project. Let's cover some of the costs of getting a fan to fit perfectly on your ceiling.

6 cost factors for ceiling fan installation, with the cost for new wiring averaging $2,000
Wiring Type Average Cost
Basic, wiring in $100 – $500
Basic, no wiring Up to $2,000
Fan/light combo $100 – $300
Switches $100 – $200
Remote control fan $150 – $300

Basic Installation With Existing Wiring

If you're replacing a ceiling fan, you may be able to simply attach the new fan to the same wiring. If this is the case, a professional installation may cost between $100 and $500.

Installation Without Existing Wiring

Starting with a blank canvas? Adding wiring where no ceiling wiring exists means your electrician will have to start from scratch by opening up walls, running wires, installing boxes, and hooking up your junction box. This is a big job that might cost up to $2,000.

Installing a Ceiling Fan With a Light

If you're replacing a light/fan combo with a new light/fan combo, there's a good chance you won't need to add new wiring. If you're replacing an ordinary light or fan with a new fan-light combo, be prepared to pay between $100 and $300 for the extra wiring necessary.

Installing Switches

If you've decided to have your new fan installed on your existing lightbox, you may not be able to have your fan and light on the same switch. To fix this, you’ll either need to learn how to wire a ceiling fan with two switches or ask your electrician to sync the power switches by running another line, adding a bigger box, and installing the switches. Expect to add another $100 to $200 on top of installation costs for this very convenient touch.

Selecting a Fan With a Remote Control

If you don't mind spending another $150 to $300, you can purchase a fan with its own remote control that allows you to control your light and fan speed at the same time. While this is often an alternative to paying to have your wiring switched around by an electrician, it's a temporary fix.

Number of Fans

While installing more than one fan is more expensive, bundling installations can save you money on labor, time, and materials in the long run if you're doing a larger makeover. Why is that?

When charging hourly fees, most electricians include travel costs for the first hour only. It’s also cheaper to run wires in the same room because you're only opening one set of holes for both of your new fans. You can also use one set of switches with a single box for both fans.

Ease of Access

If your electrician needs to cut holes due to limited access to wires, boxes, and switches, this will require extra costs in labor and materials.

Cost of Ceiling Fans by Type

You'll find several types of ceiling fans on the market, from the standard five-blade model you recognize in most homes to dual-motor rotational fans for large spaces. Here are the ceiling fan installation costs for each common variety:

Ceiling Fan TypeAverage Cost
Standard$50 – $300
Low-profile$50 – $300
Hanging propeller$150 – $550
Directional $150 – $800
Rotational $200 – $1,500

Standard

Standard ceiling fans cost between $200 and $650 to buy and install. You'll find five blades made from wood, fiberboard, plastic, or metal, and they are highly customizable to your space. Many will also include a light fixture and connect to a downrod between 2 and 10 inches long.

Low-Profile

Low-profile fans are ideal for rooms with ceilings under eight feet high. These models, which also cost between $200 and $650 to buy and install, do not have a downrod. This feature allows the fan to hug the ceiling and connect directly to the mount on the ceiling—which is where they also get the nickname "hugger" fans or "flush-mount" fans. 

Hanging Propeller

Costing between $300 and $900 to purchase and install, hanging propeller fans cool off larger rooms with ceilings over nine feet high. The blades hang on a downrod in order to circulate air closer to the living space. Downrods will typically hang around two to four feet but can go much longer for vaulted ceilings and large outdoor pergolas. 

Directional 

The more complex and often stylish directional ceiling fans cost between $300 and upwards of $1,200 with installation and purchase factored in. The final price depends on the fan’s size and design. You will find models that look like traditional table fans mounted on a movable arm. Other fans include an adjustable cage at the end of a downrod. In either case, the ceiling fan’s direction is easily adjusted to the area where you need the air most.

Rotational

The most complex ceiling fans will cost between $350 and $1,850 (for both purchasing the fan and having it installed) due to their power and custom design options. Rotational fans may include a dual motor with two fans facing opposite directions, both of which can be adjusted and turned for greater coverage. The design is ideal for large spaces and adaptable for oddly shaped rooms and porches. 

Additional Costs To Consider

Ceiling fans can be as unique as any other major fixture in your home, but alternatives can affect the ceiling fan installation cost as well. 

Accessories

There are infinite ways to customize the look of your ceiling fan, from the color and style of the blades to the casing around the light fixture. Specialty pieces include chain extenders, shades, finials, cages, decorative downrods, and complex light fixture kits.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Fan Installation 

Outdoor fan installation often costs more than indoor ceiling fans due to their ability to handle moisture. You'll pay anywhere from $70 to over $4,000 for outdoor fan installation, depending on existing wiring, the placement of the fan, and its moisture rating. Classification and rating systems designated by each company will specify if the model can handle indirect or direct contact with rain, snow, and humidity. 

Costs of DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you're just swapping one ceiling fan for another, the DIY price may not be much more than the retail price of your new fan. However, you may need to factor in materials like a special ladder if you're mounting your fan to a vaulted ceiling. For simple DIY ceiling fan replacement, you can save between $50 and $200 on the cost of labor by taking on the job yourself. However, calling a local handyperson for the basic hookup can cost as low as $60 for the job. In other words, learning how to replace a ceiling fan yourself costs between $100 and $275 total

What if you need wiring done? In addition to being dangerous, rewiring your home on your own if you're not a licensed electrician could be a code violation, even if you know how to wire a ceiling fan. If you need to rearrange or add wiring, this goes from a simple DIY Saturday project to a task that requires professional installation. You can also damage your ceiling (and everything below it) if there's not enough support for the weight of your new fan. It's a good idea to have the situation assessed by a pro, even if you're pretty sure you can tackle it on your own. An assessment is a lot less expensive than a ceiling restoration.

6 Ways To Save on the Cost of Installing a Ceiling Fan

Even if your contractors charge a flat rate for ceiling fan installation, there are some general ways to cut costs overall and from your operational costs—no matter who you call to install your ceiling fan. For example:

  1. Install more than one ceiling fan at once to capitalize on the lower hourly rate of the contractor after the initial hour.

  2. Choose an installation area with or close to existing wiring.

  3. Call a handyperson for basic installation or replacement within existing wiring.

  4. Speak with at least three contractors to compare installation quotes.

  5. Purchase your fan off-season for lower prices and installation deals.

  6. Consider an ENERGY STAR-rated fan for long-term savings on your utility bills.

Ginny Bartolone contributed to this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's what you'll need to do to install a new ceiling fan, provided you have the requisite knowledge and skill and aren’t rewiring:

  • Turn off power to your home's breaker box.

  • Remove any existing lights or fans in the area where you'll be installing your new fan.

  • Remove the existing wiring.

  • Add any supports needed to hold the weight of the new fan you've selected.

  • Add new housing to the current box.

  • Finish with wiring based on all of your local codes.

  • Install the fan per the instructions provided in the fan box.

  • After restoring power at your breaker box, ensure that your fan works.

This is assuming you already have wiring because you're replacing a fan. If you don't, you'll need to cut through your ceiling to get the installation done. The real scoop? It's pretty much time to call a pro at this point.

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Learn more about our contributor
Lyle Hendriks
Written by Lyle Hendriks
Contributing Writer
Lyle is a writer with a special focus on home improvement, mortgages and financing, and legal services. Whether it’s a DIY reno or a tricky tax clause, Lyle loves breaking down tough topics into useful guides for the everyday.
Lyle is a writer with a special focus on home improvement, mortgages and financing, and legal services. Whether it’s a DIY reno or a tricky tax clause, Lyle loves breaking down tough topics into useful guides for the everyday.
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