How much does furnace repair cost in 2026?

Most homeowners pay between $150 and $1,400, with a national average near $775. Small, simple jobs land at the low end; large or premium-material jobs run well above the high end.

What is the cost per job?

Installed pricing usually runs $150.00 to $1,400.00 per job, including labor and materials. Expensive metros can run 15–45% higher than that range.

What drives the price up the most?

Scope and access. Larger quantities lower your per-job price, but difficult access, demolition of existing work, structural repairs found mid-job, premium materials and rush scheduling each add 8–30%.

Permits are typically required when the work changes structure or ties into electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical systems. Budget $75–$600 in most cities and confirm whether your contractor pulls it — unpermitted work can block a future home sale.

How long does the job take?

Most residential projects of this type finish in one to five working days once materials are on site. Custom orders, inspections and weather are the usual causes of delay.

How many quotes should I get?

Three. Bids on the same scope commonly vary 20–40%, and the middle bid with the strongest warranty and references is usually the best value — the cheapest bid often excludes prep, disposal or permits.

When is the cheapest time to book?

Off-season and shoulder months. Booking outside the spring–summer rush, and staying flexible on start dates, commonly saves 5–15% because crews are filling calendar gaps.

Yes. Contractor financing, a home equity line, or a 0% promotional card are all common. Compare the total interest cost against paying cash — promotional financing is sometimes priced into a higher bid.

How do I avoid getting overcharged?

Get the scope in writing with materials by brand and model, quantities, exclusions, permit responsibility, payment schedule and warranty. Never pay more than one third up front, and never pay in full before the final inspection.

How long does a furnace last?

Fifteen to twenty years for a gas furnace with annual maintenance. Efficiency drops noticeably after year 15.

Is a cracked heat exchanger dangerous?

Yes — it can leak carbon monoxide. The furnace should be shut down until it is repaired or replaced.

Home/Cost guides/Furnace Repair

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How much does furnace repair cost?

Q: How much does furnace repair cost?

Typical repairs run $150–$650. A cracked heat exchanger is $1,500–$3,000 and usually means replacing the furnace.

Furnace Repair costs $150 to $1,400 for a typical project, averaging about $775. Installed pricing usually runs $150.00 to $1,400.00 per job, and scope, materials, access and local labor rates explain nearly all of the variation.

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National average

$775

Typical low

$150

Typical high

$1,400

Per job

$150 – $1,400

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Number of repairs1 job

Quality / material level

Site access

Removal / prep work

Timing

Region

Estimated project cost

$525 – $720

Most homeowners pay around $622

Compare quality / material level

Cost by material

Installed pricing per job.

Option	Installed cost	Pros	Cons
Diagnostic and tune-up	$481 – $659	—	—
Igniter or flame sensor	$659 – $868	—	—
Blower motor or control board	$868 – $1,124	—	—
Heat exchanger replacement	$1,124 – $1,550	—	—

Furnace Repair cost by project size

Typical installed pricing before local adjustments.

Project size	Budget	Average	Premium
1 jobs	$150	$775	$1,400
1 jobs	$150	$775	$1,400
2 jobs	$300	$1,550	$2,800
2 jobs	$300	$1,550	$2,800

Furnace Repair cost by material or quality level

Option	Price range	Best for
Diagnostic and tune-up	$480.50 – $658.75 / job	Lowest upfront cost, shortest lifespan
Igniter or flame sensor	$658.75 – $868.00 / job	Best overall value for most homes
Blower motor or control board	$868.00 – $1,123.75 / job	Longer warranty and better finish
Heat exchanger replacement	$1,123.75 – $1,550.00 / job	Top-tier materials and custom detailing

Where the money goes

A typical project budget, broken down by line item.

Labor0.45% · $3
Materials0.38% · $3
Permits & inspections0.05% · $0
Overhead & profit0.12% · $1

Cost by region

Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.

Northeast

$173 – $1,610

+15% vs. national average

West

$177 – $1,652

+18% vs. national average

Midwest

$144 – $1,344

-4% vs. national average

South

$141 – $1,316

-6% vs. national average

Common add-ons

Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.

Annual tune-up

$100 – $250

Thermostat replacement

$150 – $500

Duct sealing

$500 – $2,000

Carbon monoxide detectors

$50 – $200

DIY vs. hiring a pro

Hire a pro

$150 – $1,400

Do it yourself

$68 – $770

DIY saves labor but not materials, permits or rework. Only take it on if the job does not require a licensed trade or inspection.

Ways to save

Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.

Book a fall tune-up before the first cold snap to avoid emergency rates.
Ask whether the part is under manufacturer warranty before approving.
Collect three written bids on an identical scope — spreads of 20–40% are normal.
Book in the off-season and stay flexible on the start date to save 5–15%.
Bundle nearby work into one mobilization so you only pay setup and travel once.
Ask what the contractor would change to cut 10% without hurting durability.

Questions to ask your contractor

01Are you licensed and insured in my city, and can I see the certificate?
02Is this a fixed-price bid or an estimate that can change?
03What exactly is excluded from the quote?
04Who pulls the permit and who schedules inspections?
05What is the written workmanship warranty and how long does it last?
06What is the payment schedule, and how much is due up front?
07How long will the work take, and what could delay it?

Frequently asked questions

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Furnace Repair cost by city

Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.

Furnace Repair cost in Los Angeles, CA

$186 – $1,736

Furnace Repair cost in San Diego, CA

$177 – $1,652

Furnace Repair cost in San Jose, CA

$207 – $1,932

Furnace Repair cost in San Francisco, CA

$218 – $2,030

Furnace Repair cost in Oakland, CA

$198 – $1,848

Furnace Repair cost in Sacramento, CA

$162 – $1,512

Furnace Repair cost in Fresno, CA

$147 – $1,372

Furnace Repair cost in Long Beach, CA

$183 – $1,708

Furnace Repair cost in Anaheim, CA

$180 – $1,680

Furnace Repair cost in Santa Ana, CA

$179 – $1,666

Furnace Repair cost in Irvine, CA

$189 – $1,764

Furnace Repair cost in Riverside, CA

$159 – $1,484

Furnace Repair cost in San Bernardino, CA

$155 – $1,442

Furnace Repair cost in Bakersfield, CA

$146 – $1,358

Furnace Repair cost in Stockton, CA

$153 – $1,428

Furnace Repair cost in Modesto, CA

$150 – $1,400

Furnace Repair cost in Chula Vista, CA

$173 – $1,610

Furnace Repair cost in Fremont, CA

$203 – $1,890

Furnace Repair cost in Pasadena, CA

$192 – $1,792

Furnace Repair cost in Glendale, CA

$188 – $1,750

Furnace Repair cost in Santa Clarita, CA

$174 – $1,624

Furnace Repair cost in Torrance, CA

$185 – $1,722

Furnace Repair cost in Oxnard, CA

$171 – $1,596

Furnace Repair cost in San Mateo, CA

$210 – $1,960

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How much does furnace repair cost?

Cost by material

Furnace Repair cost by project size

Furnace Repair cost by material or quality level

Where the money goes

Cost by region

Common add-ons

DIY vs. hiring a pro

Ways to save

Questions to ask your contractor

Frequently asked questions