[C. C. Rider]

The fan that I mentioned replacing in post #10 is a Nutone exhaust fan. It appears to be about 9" x 10" as the size of the plastic grill which fits nearly flush with the ceiling.

I simply replaced the old one which burned out with a new one of the same kind. No modifications to the ceiling, ductwork, or anything like that. Simply removed a few screws and unplugged the electrical connection of the old one and installed the new one in its place. Not much harder than changing a light bulb.

I don't recall the cost of the new motor/fan but I doubt that I paid over $35 for it 10 years ago.

[NoMoSno]

OP needs to clarify if they are replacing a complete unit or only need a replacement fan installed in an existing unit.

[Jaydancer]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

OP needs to clarify if they are replacing a complete unit or only need a replacement fan installed in an existing unit.

This is just a general response to the question: we all want to get the best work for the best price, but what we often forget when assessing a quoted price is what goes behind it. First, the electrician has been to school and licensed, so you know that he is good at his job and won't set your house afire. You are paying for the tiniest part of that. Next, he, or she, must drive to your house in a van that is equipped for almost any eventuality, (there may be a bigger wiring issue for example) and require tools, parts, etc. Finally there is the initial cost of the van, the fuel, and wear and tear on the vehicle. When you look at it as a business person, Lennart gave you a very good price.

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

My bathroom fan was making a terrible racket. I bought a replacement motor/fan at Lowes and took old motor out and inserted new motor. Plug in. Inexpensive and easy.

[deano_hoosier]

He noted that he caulked around the inside of the grill's flange that fits up against the ceiling surface. You may run into a similar installation procedure if you do your own replacement. Just yanking down the installed grill area may have a surprise for you.

[obx2003]

Originally Posted by graybuckle

$290 was for parts and labor.

That's a fair price unless the fan is a basic (loud) model.

[valuemkt]

The fan / light combo that comes in most /all bath and toilet areas are close to hood ornaments.. esp the fan. Saying it is an exhaust fan is an insult to the word exhaust. Most replacements have some type of CFM rating. Get one that moves as much air with as few decibels as you can stand. A competent electrician will cut in the fan with no visible drywall repair or painting required. They will also go up in the attic and insure that the fan is properly hooked up to exhaust the fumes and vapor properly.

[flsteve]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I’m very handy. I installed two Panasonic ultra quiet fans in my Villages home last fall, replacing the weak and noisy ones that came with the house. The fans are virtually silent, though there is a whisper noise from the 110 cubic feet per minute of air being sucked out.

I recommend this one: Panasonic WhisperChoice-Pick-a-Flow-80-110-CFM-Ceiling-Bathroom-exhaust-Fan. $134 at Home Depot.

I do NOT recommend the one with the built in motion detector that turns on the fan and keeps it on for a certain number of minutes. I put in one of those, but that feature hasn’t worked well. In the other bathroom, I installed a timer in the switch box. That has worked great. The fan with timer and tax was maybe $165. It’s definitely worth the extra money to get one of these. Mine doesn’t have a light in it. I already have lights in my bathroom. Lights add to the cost.

BUT, this is NOT an easy project. I’m glad I have an 8’ stepladder because a 6’ ladder would have been scary at my age. The new fan is much larger than the cheap, poor quality original fan. After removing the original fan and wrestling it out of the hole, I used a template to cut a hole for the new one. Drywall dust and fiberglass showered down. The new fan fits into an expandable bracket that has to be screwed into the roof trusses on both sides. It isn’t easy, even with a good electric screw gun, to reach through a 12” hole, around the corner, holding the drill in one hand and the screw in the other, and get that screw in the wood. The bracket is necessary because the new fan weighs about 10 pounds. Then, I discovered that the electricians had followed code and driven a sturdy steel staple to hold down the electric cable close to the fan. To get enough cable to rewire, I had to loosen that staple, from below, working through a hole. That was really hard. Then I had to tape the metal exhaust hose to the outlet on the fan from below, before attaching the fan to the bracket. Everything else was pretty easy, but would I gladly pay $290 to an electrician plus the cost of the fan to get it put in professionally? You bet! It was exhausting work. It would have been easier if I were doing it in the attic with a helper, but have you ever tried kneeling on roof trusses surrounded by fiberglass in a hot attic with roofing nails in the sheathing just above your head? Pay the money and get the best fan on the market. Money well spent

OMG! This reminds me of my experiences with a stupidly simple exhaust fan! I am handy at building things, but replacing an exhaust fan has been the single toughest job I have encountered!! SHOULD take 5 minutes, but NOOOOOO.... I will NEVER attempt it again! I paid to have my 2nd fan replaced. $200 was a ridiculous bargain.

[Seasonal]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I’m very handy. I installed two Panasonic ultra quiet fans in my Villages home last fall, replacing the weak and noisy ones that came with the house. The fans are virtually silent, though there is a whisper noise from the 110 cubic feet per minute of air being sucked out.

I recommend this one: Panasonic WhisperChoice-Pick-a-Flow-80-110-CFM-Ceiling-Bathroom-exhaust-Fan. $134 at Home Depot.

I do NOT recommend the one with the built in motion detector that turns on the fan and keeps it on for a certain number of minutes. I put in one of those, but that feature hasn’t worked well. In the other bathroom, I installed a timer in the switch box. That has worked great. The fan with timer and tax was maybe $165. It’s definitely worth the extra money to get one of these. Mine doesn’t have a light in it. I already have lights in my bathroom. Lights add to the cost.

BUT, this is NOT an easy project. I’m glad I have an 8’ stepladder because a 6’ ladder would have been scary at my age. The new fan is much larger than the cheap, poor quality original fan. After removing the original fan and wrestling it out of the hole, I used a template to cut a hole for the new one. Drywall dust and fiberglass showered down. The new fan fits into an expandable bracket that has to be screwed into the roof trusses on both sides. It isn’t easy, even with a good electric screw gun, to reach through a 12” hole, around the corner, holding the drill in one hand and the screw in the other, and get that screw in the wood. The bracket is necessary because the new fan weighs about 10 pounds. Then, I discovered that the electricians had followed code and driven a sturdy steel staple to hold down the electric cable close to the fan. To get enough cable to rewire, I had to loosen that staple, from below, working through a hole. That was really hard. Then I had to tape the metal exhaust hose to the outlet on the fan from below, before attaching the fan to the bracket. Everything else was pretty easy, but would I gladly pay $290 to an electrician plus the cost of the fan to get it put in professionally? You bet! It was exhausting work. It would have been easier if I were doing it in the attic with a helper, but have you ever tried kneeling on roof trusses surrounded by fiberglass in a hot attic with roofing nails in the sheathing just above your head? Pay the money and get the best fan on the market. Money well spent

I replaced three cheap and loud fans in my home over the past year. This quote follows my experience too. $290 is something that I would pay quickly for an expert to take on this task. My replacement fan was also a Panasonic with bracket. Panasonic fans are wonderful and such a difference from the cheap builder grade fans that were in place. Each fan took me 2-3 hours to replace myself. I also added an occupancy switch to each fan. Walk into the bathroom and the fan kicks on, goes off five minutes after the person leaves the bathroom.

[Bilyclub]

I have the crappy exhaust fans that are part of the recessed can light. One over the shower, the other for the toilet. They are loud and not pulling out much air. My plan is to install a very good fan in between the two and use to led retro can light kits to seal the old lights/fans. This would involve working in the attic so it'll have to wait until things cool down a little.