CostInMyCity

St. Paul, MN / HVAC replacement

HVAC replacement cost in St. Paul, MN

Typical cost: $8,044 (range $5,391 to $23,428)

Typical all-in

$8,044

Job cost plus the local permit fee at this size.

Low
$5,391
Typical
$8,044
High
$23,428

Breakdown

Labor (allocated)$2,387
Materials (allocated)$5,571
Job subtotal$7,958
Permit$86
All-in typical$8,044

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 St. Paul, MN is about $8,044, including a permit fee of $86.

What we assumed

We price HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN 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 80,000 BTU furnace = $85.00 + $1.00 surcharge = $86.00. Low furnace-only uses $0.50 surcharge when job value is treated as the $85 fee band only = $85.50. High remains one system $86.00.

Cost details

Cost by size

SizeAll-in typicalPermit
1 system (typical)$8,044$86
2 systems$16,001$86
3 systems$23,959$86

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 St. Paul, MN is adjusted for local construction wages.
  • The permit fee on the typical job is $86. 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 St. Paul, MN

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$11,210$527.40Open
HVAC replacement$8,044$86This page
Deck$16,396$527.40Open
Kitchen remodel$32,770$1,240Open

Questions about this estimate

How much does HVAC replacement cost in St. Paul, MN?
Typical all-in is about $8,044. The official DSI permit fee of $86 ($85 + $1) is included in the all-in.
Is a permit required for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN?
Yes. City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) requires a permit for a typical HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN. The typical listed fee is $86. City of St. Paul.
What is included in this HVAC replacement estimate for St. Paul, MN?
The estimate is labor adjusted for local wages in St. Paul, MN, plus materials at the national figure, at the typical size in the table above. The official typical permit fee of $86 is included in the all-in typical.
Why might the St. Paul permit fee differ from this typical figure?
The official St. Paul, MN fee comes from City of Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023) (flat). Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with 80,000 BTU furnace = $85.00 + $1.00 surcharge = $86.00. Site conditions, extras not in the typical row, and schedule updates can change what you actually pay. Verify with City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).
How is the typical permit fee calculated for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN?
Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with 80,000 BTU furnace = $85.00 + $1.00 surcharge = $86.00. Low furnace-only uses $0.50 surcharge when job value is treated as the $85 fee band only = $85.50. High remains one system $86.00.
What project value is this HVAC replacement permit fee based on in St. Paul, MN?
Listed typical project value $7,500.

Permit in St. Paul

Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026

City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) lists a typical permit fee of $86 for this HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN (range $85.50 to $86). Source: City of Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023).

City of St. Paul. Residential warm-air heating $85 for the first 100,000 input BTU (includes system ductwork). Typical 80,000 BTU furnace companion is in that band. Condenser/AC as a separate refrigeration 1%-of-valuation permit is not stacked because the warm-air fee includes system ductwork for a like-for-like split.

Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with 80,000 BTU furnace = $85.00 + $1.00 surcharge = $86.00. Low furnace-only uses $0.50 surcharge when job value is treated as the $85 fee band only = $85.50. High remains one system $86.00.

Line items

Figures come from the city fee schedule. A blank line is not published as a dollar amount.
Line itemFee
Warm-air heating system first 100,000 input BTU$85
MN state surcharge$1

Process

Does a typical HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN need a permit?
A typical HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN is listed as requiring a permit. City of St. Paul.
Who issues the permit in St. Paul, MN, and where do I apply?
City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) issues permits for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN. Apply at https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/building-and-construction/construction-permits-and-inspections/building-permits-inspections.
What extra fees or surcharges are listed for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN?
The official permit lists these extra line items for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN: Warm-air heating system first 100,000 input BTU: $85; MN state surcharge: $1.

Schedule FAQ

Which official schedule is this HVAC replacement fee based on in St. Paul, MN?
The official typical for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN cites City of Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023) (retrieved Sep 1, 2026). Fee model: flat.
What local fee-schedule notes are on file for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN?
DSI building permit fee schedule effective 2/25/2023 (still posted): valuation table plus 65% plan check when valuation > $1,000 plus MN surcharge 0.0005 x value (Minn. Stat. 326B.148).
Why does the HVAC replacement permit fee in St. Paul, MN show a low-to-high range?
Listed permit fees for HVAC replacement in St. Paul, MN span $85.50 to $86, with a typical of $86. Typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) like-for-like split with 80,000 BTU furnace = $85.00 + $1.00 surcharge = $86.00.

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 Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023) Retrieved Sep 1, 2026.
  3. BLS OEWS construction wages – Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-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 St. Paul, MN." https://costinmycity.com/cost/hvac-replacement/st-paul-mn/. Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026. Source: City of Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023).

City of Saint Paul DSI warm-air / ventilation fees (still posted; mechanical application effective 2/25/2023)

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