Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation in Spokane, WA

When people call about this

• No fan at all and mirrors fog after every shower
• Signs of moisture: mildew, peeling paint, musty smell
• An old fan that is loud, rattling or barely moves air
• A remodel where the fan is being upgraded anyway

What to ask before you book

Ask where the fan will vent (outside through the roof or soffit, never into the attic), what CFM rating fits the room (a common planning rule of thumb is about 1 CFM per square foot), and how loud it is (the sones rating; lower is quieter).

Have the property address and a short description ready. Our planning guide has a checklist.

What changes the cost

The vent route decides most of the cost. What moves the price:

• Vent route: roof cap vs soffit, and its length
• New wiring, switch, timer or humidity sensor
• Fan quality, CFM and sones rating
• Attic access and ducting condition
• Drywall or ceiling repair

Venting matters more than the fan

A fan that vents into the attic just moves the moisture problem upstairs, where it can rot sheathing and feed mold. The duct should run outside through a proper roof or soffit cap.

New wiring for a fan is permit work in Washington, handled by the city or Washington State L&I depending on the address.

Permit source: Washington L&I: electrical permits and inspections

Typical steps to discuss before booking

1. Note the bathroom size and what the current fan does.
2. The attic and vent route are checked.
3. Written scope: fan, duct route, cap, switch and any wiring.
4. The fan, duct and exterior cap are installed.
5. Airflow, noise and controls are tested.

Keep reading

See outlet and switch installation for timers and sensors, lighting installation for fan-light combos, the permits guide and the planning guide.