Seattle, WA / HVAC replacement
HVAC replacement cost in Seattle, WA
Average $7,500; common $5,000–$12,500; up to $22,000 with new ductwork. Central AC $3,900–$7,900; gas furnace $3,800–$10,000; heat pump $4,200–$7,600; labor about $1,500.
Labor for HVAC replacement in Seattle, WA is indexed to the BLS construction-and-extraction occupations mean hourly wage for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA of $42.11 (May 2025), applied to the 30% labor share.
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is the issuing office. The typical permit fee recorded from Seattle SDCI 2026 Fee Subtitle Table D-8 (22.900D.090), retrieved 2026-08-13, is $127. Fee model: flat.
The national typical for this job is $7,500. Materials stay at the national figure while labor is wage-indexed for Seattle, WA.
Typical all-in
$8,392
Job cost plus the recorded local permit fee at this size.
- Low
- $5,573
- Typical
- $8,392
- High
- $24,434
Breakdown
| Labor (allocated) | $2,480 |
|---|---|
| Materials (allocated) | $5,785 |
| Job subtotal | $8,265 |
| Permit | $127 |
| All-in typical | $8,392 |
Labor is adjusted for construction wages in this metro. Materials stay at the national figure. This is an estimate, not a contractor quote.
Permit fee
- Fee model
- Flat fee
- Typical fee
- $127
- Range
- $63 – $190
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-13
- Mechanical equipment fee (Table D-8) — $60Per forced-air furnace, heat pump, or similar unit, including ducts attached thereto.
- Technology fee (5%) — $6SMC 22.900A.100; included in totals. Typical assumes 2 units (furnace + AC or two heat-pump outdoor/indoor).
- Electrical permitSeparate electrical permit if new circuits/disconnects; Table D-14 / OTC electrical table. Not computed here.
Typical = 2 × $60.35 × 1.05 tech. Low = 1 unit; high = 3 units.
Like-for-like furnace/heat-pump swap is a mechanical equipment fee, not the valuation DFI. New duct systems submitted separately use Table D-2 (valuation). Electrical is extra.
Citations
- How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost? [2026 Data] Retrieved Aug 12, 2026. Average $7,500; $5,000–$22,000; labor about $1,500; national permit range $50–$500 (not city-specific).
- Seattle SDCI 2026 Fee Subtitle Table D-8 (22.900D.090) Retrieved Aug 12, 2026. Like-for-like furnace/heat-pump swap is a mechanical equipment fee, not the valuation DFI. New duct systems submitted separately use Table D-2 (valuation). Electrical is extra.
- BLS OEWS construction wages — Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA BLS OEWS construction-and-extraction mean hourly wage / national same vintage, applied to laborShare only. Not a city-specific bid survey.