Whole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterAir Duct Cleaning in Somerville, MA
Dryer vent cleaning in Somerville, MA most often means clearing lint from a vent run that was never part of the original house. Triple-deckers built between 1880 and 1930 had radiators, not forced air, so when these buildings were converted to condos starting in the early 2000s, vents were routed through closets, chases, and exterior walls that were never meant to carry them. That means longer flex runs, more elbows, and faster lint accumulation than a house with a straight, short vent to the outside. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price before any work starts.
Why Somerville Homes Are Different
Somerville’s housing stock creates a specific set of duct problems. The defining building type is the wood-frame triple-decker, built for steam or hot-water radiator heat with no central ductwork at all. When condo conversion swept through Winter Hill, East Somerville, and the neighborhoods around Davis Square and Union Square in the 2000s and 2010s, owners retrofitted forced-air systems into century-old shells. Flexible duct was threaded into bedroom closets and along exterior walls, runs that sag and trap debris far faster than rigid metal. That retrofitted ductwork is now 10 to 20 years old and often carries construction dust from successive renovation cycles inside the same building.
New England’s heating season makes it worse. Forced-air systems in Somerville run five to six months a year, and the sharp swing between humid summers and dry, heated winters bakes dust onto duct walls. Nor’easter moisture seeps into the many below-grade mechanical rooms around the city, introducing damp debris into basement duct sections. In Winter Hill and East Somerville especially, technicians learn to spot the conversion signature quickly: flex duct snaking through closets, collecting pet dander, drywall dust from neighbor renovations, and insulation fibers at a rate that surprises owners who assume a newer HVAC system means clean ducts.
Our Main Somerville Services
Most Somerville homeowners reach out first about two jobs: whole-system air duct cleaning and HVAC cleaning. Here is what each one involves in this city’s housing stock.
Air Duct Cleaning in Somerville
Full air duct cleaning in Somerville means negative-pressure extraction through every duct run in a system that was likely retrofitted into a pre-1930 building. Technicians photograph the inside of each run before and after, so you can see what was actually removed rather than trusting a verbal summary. Air Duct Cleaning in Somerville covers everything from the plenum to the registers, and your written price covers the whole system before a single panel comes off.
HVAC Cleaning in Somerville
In Somerville, HVAC cleaning usually includes the blower motor, evaporator coil, drain pan, and the cabinet interior, not just the duct runs. Condo conversions often leave the air handler in a tight closet or basement corner, where construction dust settles into the cabinet and recirculates through the living space. HVAC Cleaning in Somerville details the full scope, from coil cleaning to sanitizing, with the same before-and-after photo record.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterDryer Vent Cleaning in Somerville
Dryer vent cleaning in Somerville is a job shaped by the city’s building age. When forced-air retrofits and dryer vents were added to triple-deckers, the vent path was often the leftover space: a long flex run through a closet and out a side wall. Those runs trap lint quickly, and a plugged vent means longer dry times and a real fire hazard. Our crews photograph every vent run before and after, so you see the lint that came out and the clean metal behind it. This is Dryer Vent Cleaning done the way the building actually requires, not a generic shop-vac pass.
Dryer Vent Inspection
Signs you need it
Clothes take two or more cycles to dry, or the dryer feels hot to the touch while running.
What it costs in Somerville
A camera inspection of the full vent path in Somerville typically runs $75 to $150, often credited toward the cleaning if you proceed the same day.
How we do it
We run a camera from the dryer connection to the exterior termination, photograph every elbow and transition, and give you a written report with the before images.
Lint Removal
Signs you need it
You see lint accumulating at the exterior vent opening, or the flapper doesn’t open fully while the dryer runs.
What it costs in Somerville
Full lint removal from a typical Somerville flex run, including the transition hose and exterior cap, runs $120 to $220.
How we do it
Rotobrush rotary agitation loosens the lint cake, then negative-pressure extraction pulls it out through the run, with after-photos at both ends.
Vent Rerouting
Signs you need it
The existing vent makes more than two sharp elbows, or a flex run sags visibly between supports where lint is already collecting.
What it costs in Somerville
A short reroute through a closet or wall chase in Somerville usually runs $200 to $400, depending on the new path length and access.
How we do it
We cut rigid metal to shorten the path, replace sagging flex with hard pipe where possible, and seal every joint with mastic and foil tape.
Bird Guard Installation
Signs you need it
You hear scratching at the exterior vent, or nesting material blocks the flapper.
What it costs in Somerville
A galvanized or stainless bird guard installed over the exterior termination in Somerville runs $40 to $90.
How we do it
We clear the existing nest and lint, mount the guard over the cap, and confirm the flapper still moves freely with a final camera check.
What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in Somerville
| Item | Typical range in Somerville |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection (camera) | $75 - $150 |
| Lint removal, full run | $120 - $220 |
| Bird guard installation | $40 - $90 |
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned in Somerville?
Every 12 to 18 months for a typical Somerville condo flex run. Long runs with multiple elbows, or households with pets, should schedule annually. Your written quote includes a recommended interval based on the camera footage.
Why does my dryer vent clog so fast in this building?
Somerville’s retrofitted flex runs are often longer and saggier than code-built modern vents, giving lint more surface to catch on. Neighbor renovations add drywall dust to shared chases. Call (806) 606-6902 for a camera inspection and a written price.
Duct Repair & Sealing in Somerville
Duct repair and sealing in Somerville usually means fixing flex runs that were installed during condo conversion and have since separated at the joints. The sagging flex common in Winter Hill and East Somerville pulls apart under its own weight, so conditioned air leaks into closets and wall cavities before it ever reaches a register. We seal or replace those runs and photograph every repair. That is Duct Repair & Sealing with a written price before the first panel opens, per Haven Standard Clause 1.
Flex Duct Repair
Signs you need it
One room never reaches the thermostat setpoint, or you feel weak airflow through a register that used to blow strong.
What it costs in Somerville
Repairing or replacing a separated flex run in a Somerville closet chase runs $180 to $380 per run, depending on length and access.
How we do it
We open the access point, cut out the torn or collapsed section, reconnect with metal collars, and seal every joint with mastic before photographing the finished run.
Duct Sealing
Signs you need it
You can feel air moving inside a closet or wall cavity near a duct run, or dust accumulates unusually fast after the system runs.
What it costs in Somerville
Whole-system duct sealing with mastic and foil tape in a typical Somerville condo runs $350 to $800, with larger multi-floor units at the top end.
How we do it
We access each joint from the plenum to the registers, seal with mastic and UL-listed foil tape, then run a pressure test to confirm the leak rate dropped.
What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in Somerville
| Item | Typical range in Somerville |
|---|---|
| Flex duct repair, single run | $180 - $380 |
| Whole-system duct sealing | $350 - $800 |
| Duct insulation wrapping | $250 - $500 |
Do I need permits for duct repair in Somerville?
Most duct repair and sealing work does not require a building permit, but exterior vent terminations or new penetrations may. We can advise you on what Somerville requires for your specific building before work starts.
Will sealing my ducts actually lower my heating bill?
Yes, especially in Somerville’s retrofitted triple-deckers where flex runs leak into unconditioned closets. Sealing stops the conditioned air loss that makes the furnace work harder. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in Somerville
Air quality and sanitizing in Somerville often start with what the camera found during cleaning: damp debris in basement duct sections, mold precursors near the plenum, or a persistent odor that moved in after a neighboring unit renovated. The city’s humid summers and below-grade mechanical rooms give mold a foothold, and shared walls mean odors travel between units through the ductwork. We treat the source, document it, and give you a photo record of what changed. That is Air Quality & Sanitizing as a documented deliverable, not a spray-and-fog hope.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
You see dark staining on registers or the plenum, or a musty smell returns shortly after cleaning.
What it costs in Somerville
Mold treatment for the accessible duct surfaces and plenum in a Somerville condo runs $300 to $650, depending on the affected area.
How we do it
We remove loose debris, apply an EPA-registered antimicrobial to the affected surfaces, and photograph the results before reassembly.
Odor Removal
Signs you need it
Cooking, pet, or smoke odors linger long after the source is gone, or neighbor odors seep through shared duct runs.
What it costs in Somerville
Whole-system odor treatment with a Guardsman or Abatement Technologies system in Somerville runs $200 to $400.
How we do it
We clean the accessible duct surfaces first, then run a fog or ozone treatment through the system, with before-and-after photo documentation.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
Mold or bacteria keep returning on the coil, or household members deal with recurring respiratory irritation.
What it costs in Somerville
A UV light system installed at the evaporator coil in a Somerville air handler runs $500 to $900, including the unit and labor.
How we do it
We mount the UV lamp at the coil, wire it to run continuously, and confirm placement with a final photo so you can verify the installation yourself.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Somerville
| Item | Typical range in Somerville |
|---|---|
| Mold treatment, accessible ducts | $300 - $650 |
| Odor removal, whole system | $200 - $400 |
| UV light installation at coil | $500 - $900 |
Can sanitizing get rid of neighbor smells coming through the ducts?
Yes, but the treatment has to address the path, not just the odor. We clean the shared runs, seal any gaps, and then treat the accessible surfaces so the smell does not keep returning.
Is the antimicrobial treatment safe for my family and pets?
The products we use are EPA-registered for occupied spaces when applied correctly. We follow the label exactly, and you get the after-photos so you know what was applied and where. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written quote.
Brands We Service in Somerville
We work on systems built around Honeywell, Aprilaire, and Abatement Technologies components, the brands most often found in Somerville’s retrofitted condos. We stock common filters, UV lamps, and sealing materials for these systems locally, which keeps most repair and maintenance visits to a single trip. See our brands for the full service list.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Somerville, MA
| Service | Typical range in Somerville |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection (camera) | $75 - $150 |
| Lint removal, full run | $120 - $220 |
| Bird guard installation | $40 - $90 |
| Flex duct repair, single run | $180 - $380 |
| Whole-system duct sealing | $350 - $800 |
| Duct insulation wrapping | $250 - $500 |
| Mold treatment, accessible ducts | $300 - $650 |
| Odor removal, whole system | $200 - $400 |
| UV light installation at coil | $500 - $900 |
Older triple-deckers with long flex runs and multiple elbows push prices toward the higher end of each range, as do systems where the air handler is tucked into a tight basement corner. Every job in Somerville gets one written price for the whole system before work starts, under Haven Standard Clause 1. No per-vent pricing, no surprise line items.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Somerville
We work across all of Somerville, from the triple-decker rows of Winter Hill to the converted condos around Davis Square, Union Square, and East Somerville. Most scheduling for the city can be arranged within a few business days, though spring and fall are the busiest cleaning periods.
- Winter Hill
- East Somerville
- Davis Square
- Union Square
- Ball Square
Service Area - Cities Near Somerville
We also provide air duct cleaning and related services to homeowners in Cambridge, MA, Medford, MA, Boston, MA, and Everett, MA. Each city page covers the local housing conditions and pricing specific to that area.
Serving Somerville, MA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Somerville area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Air Duct Cleaning in Somerville
Most Somerville jobs can be scheduled within a few business days. Spring and fall are busiest, so if your schedule is tight, call (806) 606-6902 and we will give you the next available window. Dispatch and scheduling are coordinated from the brand’s Boston office, with crews serving Somerville locally.
For most single-unit cleaning, no. If your unit’s ductwork runs through shared chases or access requires entering a common area like a basement utility room, your condo association may want notice or approval. We can put the scope in writing so the board knows exactly what will be accessed.
Yes. Every job in Somerville gets one written price for the whole system before a single panel comes off. That is Haven Standard Clause 1, and the price on the paper is the price on the invoice. Call (806) 606-6902 for a free estimate and a written quote.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local air duct cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Somerville Customers Say
"The before and after photographs of each run are the reason I used them. You cannot argue with what came out of the return."
- Marguerite O."Flat price agreed up front, no per-vent add-ons at the end. That was the whole reason I did not call the coupon company."
- Suzanne B."The dryer vent was almost completely blocked with lint. They showed me the photograph and I understood immediately why the dryer had been running twice."
- Lucia M.