On average nationwide, ceiling fan installation costs between $75 and $275. That price just includes labor, not the cost of the ceiling fan itself, and varies according to the complexity of the job. The price of a ceiling fan, which most homeowners will have to buy before hiring an electrician, ranges from $50 for a small, basic model, to $1,000 or more for larger ceiling fans with extra features.
Ceiling fans are a great way to cool down a room in the summer, distribute warm air in winter, improve air circulation, or blast out the stink of the fish you just cooked for dinner. A ceiling fan can also save money on energy costs because it's more affordable than air conditioning. Since it will improve air circulation, it may enable you to run your air conditioner and heat less often while still maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Since it involves electrical work, installing a ceiling fan is not a job you want to DIY. Before you a professional electrician to help, get an estimate on how much a new ceiling fan and installation will cost you.
How much does it cost to hire an electrician for ceiling fan installation?
The national average hourly rates for an electrician to install a ceiling fan is $50 to $90 an hour. Some contractors charge by the hour for installation, while others charge a flat fee. Like many electrical projects, ceiling fan installation is not something you want to tackle on your own.
A Thumbtack pro in Atlanta charges a flat fee of $175 for a basic ceiling fan installation. That does not include the cost of the fan.
This is pretty typical, though. Most professionals who install ceiling fans do not sell ceiling fans. You usually need to buy the fan yourself from a retail establishment, then call an electrician or handyman to have it installed.
Additional electrical needs
Additional electrical tasks, like adding a wall switch where there wasn't one before, can increase the total cost of installation.
A common electrical add-on is installing a new circuit. The nationwide average of installing a new circuit is $130 to $290. A ceiling fan uses the same amount of electricity as a ceiling light. If the ceiling fan you're installing has a light kit on it, you may need to pay a pro to install a new circuit that can handle the light and the fan motor without overloading.
Installing new wiring
Installing wiring costs $6 to $8 per foot and is necessary if you aren't replacing a pre-existing fixture but installing a new one. If there's already a light fixture or ceiling fan in the room where you're installing the new fan, the pro can easily the new fan using existing wiring. If there was no fixture, the pro will need to create a place to hang the fan. This may mean running new wiring and cutting a hole in the ceiling.
How much does a new ceiling fan cost?
A new ceiling fan can cost as little as $30-50 for a simple, single-blade model, to as much as $3,000 for a dual-motor, rotational style fan. How much you pay will depend on a number of factors including the type of fan, size of your room, ceiling height, electrical work, and any additional features, like remote controls or light fixtures.
There are five different types of ceiling fans, each of which comes at a different price point. The type you choose will depend on the size and location of the room and your needs.
| Type of fan | Average cost | Description |
| Standard | $30 to $1,200 | The most common type, this fan hangs straight down with blades parallel to the ceiling, and has five blades and a built-in light fixture. |
| Hanging propeller | $150 to $1,000 | This type has its blades and motor hanging on a downrod mounted to the ceiling, instead of the fan being mounted onto the ceiling directly. It's best for rooms with high ceilings (9 feet or higher). |
| Low profile | $50 to $550 | Also called flush mount or hugger fans, these are low profile fixtures that keep the blades close to the ceiling. They're good for rooms with low ceilings (8 feet and under). |
| Directional | $150 to $1,300 | These look like a standing fan mounted on a downrod and hung from a ceiling. You can adjust them to target the airflow in a particular direction. They're retro-cool looking and weatherproof, so a good choice for outdoor rooms with high ceilings. |
| Rotational | $200 to $3,000 | Also called a dual motor fan, this is a directional fan with two heads that can rotate on an axis. It's hung on a downrod, so good for really large rooms with high ceilings. |
Number of fan blades
Ceiling fans come in models with anywhere between two to five blades. Most homeowners assume more blades produce better air circulation and lower energy costs. But that's not true. A ceiling fan's blades just add to the aesthetic appeal. The fan's power and efficiency is determined by the motor moving those blades.
Indoor vs. outdoor fans
If you're installing a fan in an outdoor room, you can't use an indoor ceiling fan because its motor, blades, and mountings aren't made to withstand the elements. You'll need to pick a ceiling fan made for outdoor use, which costs at least twice as much as indoor ceiling fans. High-end models can be as much as three times the price. There are two types out outdoor fans:
Room size and fan size
You'll need to choose a fan that's the right size for the room it's installed in. The more square footage in the room, the bigger the fan you'll need to circulate air. You also want to pick a fan that's proportional to the room for aesthetic purposes.
Ceiling fans are measured by their blade spans, which is the distance from the tip of one blade to the tip of its opposing blade. Ceiling fans range in size from 29 to 99 inches across. The bigger the blade span, the more air the ceiling fan can move and the more you'll pay for it. Bigger fans will also have bigger motors and you'll pay more in labor costs to install them, because it takes longer.
Below are the national average costs of fans based on fan size, as well as what size room they're best for:
| Fan size | Good for | Room size | Average price range |
| 29 inches to 36 inches | Breakfast nooks, bathrooms, utility rooms | Up to 75 square feet | $50 to $125 |
| 36 inches to 44 inches | Bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens | Up to 175 square feet | $50 to $520 |
| 44 inches to 54 inches | Large bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, media rooms | Up to 250 square feet | $60 to $650 |
| 50 inches to 59 inches | Family rooms, master bedroom suites, large foyers | Up to 350 square feet | $60 to $1,200 |
| 60 inches to 99 inches | Great rooms, lofts, XXL sunrooms, enclosed patios | More than 350 square feet | $130 to $3,000 |
Ceiling height
Ideally, a ceiling fan's blades should be at least 7 feet from the ground. If you have ceilings higher than 9 feet, you'll need to mount the ceiling fan on a downrod. You'll pay and additional $12 to $50 for a downrod, depending on its length, style, and diameter, as well as labor costs for installation.
Fan blade material
You can get blades made of plastic, medium density fiberboard, real hardwood, woven palm leaves, or steel. The material you pick will affect the price. Go with intricately carved exotic hardwood and you'll pay as much as three times more than you would for standard wood blades. Colored steel blades cost around 25% more than steel blades with a brushed nickel finish.
Remote control
Yes, you can run a ceiling fan with a remote! You don't have to get up and pull that silly chain dangling below it. Remotes cost between $25 to $125, not including the cost of installation. Some fans operate on a universal remote while others run only on a remote specific to the brand. You can get a smart home-enabled remote for a ceiling fan that runs on voice-activated systems like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
Light fixture
The national average price ranges from $25 to $300 for a ceiling light kit, with the average light kit costing $35. You can get fans that come out of the box with a built-in light fixture, or you can buy a separate ceiling fan light kit.
How long does it take to install a ceiling fan?
Typical ceiling fan installations take 1 to 3 hours per fan, depending on the type and size of fan, ceiling height, and whether you need additional electrical work like adding wiring or a circuit.
How do I hire a pro to install a ceiling fan?
Before you hire a ceiling fan installer to mount a fan in your home, follow these tips to make sure you get the right pro.
If you're ready to increase the air flow in your home with a new ceiling fan, don't mess with the electrical wiring yourself. Instead, find an experienced fan installer in your zip code on Thumbtack.