CostInMyCity

Madison, WI / HVAC replacement

HVAC replacement cost in Madison, WI

Typical cost: $7,812 (range $5,200 to $22,845)

Typical all-in

$7,812

Job cost plus the local permit fee at this size.

Low
$5,200
Typical
$7,812
High
$22,845

Breakdown

Labor (allocated)$2,329
Materials (allocated)$5,433
Job subtotal$7,762
Permit$50
All-in typical$7,812

Labor is adjusted for construction wages in this metro. Materials stay at the national figure. This is an estimate, not a contractor quote.

Average $7,500; common $5,000 to $12,500; up to $22,000 with new ductwork.

A typical HVAC replacement in Madison, WI is about $7,812, including a permit fee of $50.

What we assumed

We price HVAC replacement in Madison, WI at 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split system.

When a published schedule is a valuation formula, the documented assumed valuation is $7,500 typical ($5,000 low, $16,000 high); not a city-assessed value. 2026 average $7,500; high toward new-duct jobs.

Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with documented 80,000 BTU furnace companion = furnace $25 + AC $25 = $50.00. Low = furnace only $25.00. High = furnace 100,001-165,000 BTU $50 + AC $25 = $75.00.

Cost details

Cost by size

SizeAll-in typicalPermit
1 system (typical)$7,812$50
2 systems$15,575$50
3 systems$23,337$50

All-in at this size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.

What moves the price

What changes the total

  • Cost scales with the number of systems, not a separate tonnage price.
  • Labor for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI is adjusted for local construction wages.
  • The permit fee on the typical job is $50. The permit section on this page has the schedule detail.

Compare HVAC replacement across metros

All-in at the typical job size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.
CityAll-in typicalPermitOpen
Charlotte, NC$7,316$92.55Open
Seattle, WA$8,392$126.73Open
Denver, CO$7,695$83Open
Nashville, TN$7,373$75Open
Atlanta, GA$7,450$175Open
Austin, TX$7,282$74.05Open
Phoenix, AZ$7,916$558Open
Tucson, AZ$7,382$218.54Open
Portland, OR$8,257$187.04Open
Raleigh, NC$7,354$124Open
Tacoma, WA$8,486$221.29Open
St. Louis, MO$7,850$65Open

Other home projects in Madison, WI

All-in at the typical job size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.
JobAll-in typicalPermitOpen
Roof replacement$10,354$132Open
HVAC replacement$7,812$50This page
Deck$15,432$182Open
Kitchen remodel$31,305$435Open

Questions about this estimate

How much does HVAC replacement cost in Madison, WI?
Typical all-in is about $7,812. The official local permit fee of $50 ($25 + $25) is included in the all-in.
Is a permit required for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI?
Yes. City of Madison Building Inspection Division requires a permit for a typical HVAC replacement in Madison, WI. The typical listed fee is $50. City of Madison, not Dane County.
What is included in this HVAC replacement estimate for Madison, WI?
The estimate is labor adjusted for local wages in Madison, WI, plus materials at the national figure, at the typical size in the table above. The official typical permit fee of $50 is included in the all-in typical.
Why might the Madison permit fee differ from this typical figure?
The official Madison, WI fee comes from City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines) (flat). Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with documented 80,000 BTU furnace companion = furnace $25 + AC $25 = $50.00. Site conditions, extras not in the typical row, and schedule updates can change what you actually pay. Verify with City of Madison Building Inspection Division.
How is the typical permit fee calculated for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI?
Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with documented 80,000 BTU furnace companion = furnace $25 + AC $25 = $50.00. Low = furnace only $25.00. High = furnace 100,001-165,000 BTU $50 + AC $25 = $75.00.
What project value is this HVAC replacement permit fee based on in Madison, WI?
Listed typical project value $7,500.

Permit in Madison

Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026

City of Madison Building Inspection Division lists a typical permit fee of $50 for this HVAC replacement in Madison, WI (range $25 to $75). Source: City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines).

City of Madison, not Dane County. Replacement heating equipment and AC unit inspection fees from the official Building Inspection fees page. HVAC $0.03/sf min $100 is a commercial alterations/remodeling plan-review line and is not used. Typical 80,000 BTU furnace companion for a 3-ton split is in the up-to-100,000 BTU band.

Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with documented 80,000 BTU furnace companion = furnace $25 + AC $25 = $50.00. Low = furnace only $25.00. High = furnace 100,001-165,000 BTU $50 + AC $25 = $75.00.

Line items

Figures come from the city fee schedule. A blank line is not published as a dollar amount.
Line itemFee
Replacement heating equipment up to 100,000 BTU output$25
Air conditioning unit (new or replaced)$25

Process

Does a typical HVAC replacement in Madison, WI need a permit?
A typical HVAC replacement in Madison, WI is listed as requiring a permit. City of Madison, not Dane County.
Who issues the permit in Madison, WI, and where do I apply?
City of Madison Building Inspection Division issues permits for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI. Apply at https://www.cityofmadison.com/development-services-center/permits.
What extra fees or surcharges are listed for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI?
The official permit lists these extra line items for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI: Replacement heating equipment up to 100,000 BTU output: $25; Air conditioning unit (new or replaced): $25.

Schedule FAQ

Which official schedule is this HVAC replacement fee based on in Madison, WI?
The official typical for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI cites City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines) (retrieved Sep 1, 2026). Fee model: flat.
What local fee-schedule notes are on file for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI?
MGO 29.09 Group IV alterations/repairs $11.00 per $1,000 (min $25). SFR alteration/remodel plan review $25.
Why does the HVAC replacement permit fee in Madison, WI show a low-to-high range?
Listed permit fees for HVAC replacement in Madison, WI span $25 to $75, with a typical of $50. Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with documented 80,000 BTU furnace companion = furnace $25 + AC $25 = $50.00.

Citations

  1. How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost? [2026 Data] Retrieved Aug 13, 2026. Average $7,500; $5,000–$22,000; labor about $1,500; national permit range $50–$500 (not city-specific).
  2. City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines) Retrieved Sep 1, 2026.
  3. BLS OEWS construction wages – Madison, WI BLS OEWS construction-and-extraction mean hourly wage / national same vintage, applied to the labor share only. Not a city-specific bid survey.

Cite this page

Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026

CostInMyCity. "HVAC replacement cost in Madison, WI." https://costinmycity.com/cost/hvac-replacement/madison-wi/. Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026. Source: City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines).

City of Madison Building Inspection fees (replacement heating equipment / AC unit lines)

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