Ductwork work in the Des Moines metro ranges from a few hundred dollars for targeted sealing and repair to $6,000-$12,000+ for full-home duct replacement. Most homes don't need the full replacement — but many need more repair than the last HVAC install caught.
Written & reviewed by the Midwest Comfort Heating & Cooling service team · Updated July 2026
When ductwork actually needs replacement
Real reasons for a full duct replacement:
- The system is chronically undersized for the ductwork it's pushing air through (static pressure numbers tell us).
- Original ductwork is asbestos-wrapped and being disturbed by other work.
- Major renovation is opening walls anyway.
- The existing duct layout is unsalvageable — dead ends, crushed runs, missing dampers, or major rework of the mechanical room.
Reasons NOT to replace: "your ducts are old" isn't a reason. Metal duct trunks last 60+ years. Leaks get sealed; poor sizing gets addressed at the branches.
Honest 'starting from' bands (Des Moines metro, mid-2026)
| Scope | Starting from | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted sealing + minor repairs | $400 | $400–$1,200 |
| Partial replacement (one floor, or trunk only) | $2,500 | $2,500–$5,500 |
| Full home duct replacement (typical 1,800-2,400 sqft) | $6,000 | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Add: duct cleaning (only when justified) | +$450 | +$450–$900 |
Old-house configurations (balloon-framed 1920s-era homes, additions with truncated returns, sunrooms tacked onto a single return) push the number.
How we scope your ductwork honestly
Every real ductwork quote starts with three measurements: static pressure (how hard the blower is working), duct leakage (measured, not eyeballed), and room-by-room delivery temperature (which rooms are actually getting what).
If nobody has put a manometer on your system before quoting duct work, the quote is a guess. Real numbers separate the $500 fix from the $6,000 job.
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Common questions
Do I need duct cleaning? +
Are new supply and return grilles included? +
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No pressure, no scare tactics — just an honest answer and an upfront price from a family-owned Des Moines team.
