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 Cambridge, MA
Dryer vent cleaning in Cambridge usually runs $130-$260, and duct repair work lands between $400 and $1,600 depending on what the camera finds inside the runs. The city’s pre-WWII triple-deckers and converted Victorians were built for radiator heat, not forced air, so any ductwork you have was retrofitted around old framing, plumbing, and party walls. That means most Cambridge jobs are more involved than the same service across the river. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price before anyone opens a panel.
Why Cambridge Homes Are Different
Cambridge’s housing stock is overwhelmingly pre-WWII multifamily: triple-deckers in East Cambridge, Cambridgeport, and The Port, plus converted Victorians now split into rentals. These buildings were designed for steam or hot-water radiators, which means forced-air ductwork came later, often decades later, installed around existing joists, chimneys, and load-bearing walls. Installers cut corners to fit. We routinely see sharp 90-degree bends, undersized plenums, and access points hidden inside finished ceilings or interior walls.
The Charles River basin adds a second complication. Summer humidity here sits above what inland suburbs get, and that moisture travels into uninsulated or poorly sealed flex duct in basements and attics. Damp duct interiors in Cambridge grow mold and mildew faster than in drier towns, and cold winters seal that microbial growth in until the heating season pushes it back into living spaces. In student rental corridors around Harvard and MIT, where turnover is high and landlords do minimal lease-to-lease maintenance, we find duct interiors packed with years of cooking grease, pet dander, drywall dust from renovations done with the HVAC still running, and occasionally rodent nesting material pulled in through gaps where retrofit ducts pass through uninsulated basement ceilings. Cambridge duct cleaning is structurally more complex than postwar suburban work, and the documented photo record is the only way to prove what was actually removed.
Our Main Cambridge Services
Two services account for most of what Cambridge homeowners request. Both benefit from the same flat written pricing and documented photo record on every visit, and each has a dedicated page covering Cambridge-specific work.
Air Duct Cleaning in Cambridge
Whole-system negative-pressure extraction in Cambridge means working inside retrofit duct runs that don’t follow modern code. The camera shows us what’s actually there: decades of dust, construction debris, sometimes tenant turnover residue. We quote the system as one price, not per vent, and photograph every run before and after. Full details on equipment and process are on the Air Duct Cleaning in Cambridge page.
HVAC Cleaning in Cambridge
HVAC cleaning in Cambridge means cleaning the blower assembly, evaporator coil, and plenum, not just the branch ducts. Retrofitted systems often push the air handler into a closet or crawl space where it was never meant to sit, collecting lint and debris that reduces airflow. We document everything with the camera. The HVAC Cleaning in Cambridge page covers the full scope and pricing.
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 Cambridge
Dryer vent cleaning in Cambridge is a direct response to what retrofitted ductwork and river-basin humidity do to older multifamily housing. Vent runs in triple-deckers and converted Victorians are rarely straight; they bend around framing and boilers, sometimes running 20-plus feet to an exterior termination. Lint accumulates at every elbow, and when summer humidity enters a flexible duct that’s already lined with lint, the result is a clogged vent that makes your dryer work harder, dries slower, and creates a fire hazard. In buildings with multiple units, we regularly remove five or more tenants’ worth of lint packed into a single run. Our Dryer Vent Cleaning service always includes a camera inspection and before-and-after photographs of the vent interior.
Dryer Vent Inspection
Signs you need it
Clothes take two cycles to dry, the dryer shuts off mid-cycle, or the exterior vent flapper doesn’t open when the machine is running.
What it costs in Cambridge
A camera inspection alone runs $80-$150 in Cambridge, and many homeowners roll it into a full cleaning for a single written price.
How we do it
We run a push camera from the dryer connection to the exterior termination, photograph every section, and give you a written scope of what’s inside before any cleaning begins.
Vent Cleaning
Signs you need it
The dryer is hot to the touch, you smell a burning or musty odor from the machine, or lint is visible at the exterior vent.
What it costs in Cambridge
Full dryer vent cleaning in Cambridge costs $130-$260 depending on run length, bend count, and whether the termination is reachable from ground level or requires a ladder.
How we do it
We connect a HEPA-filtered negative-air collector to the vent, run a rotating brush the full length of the duct, and photograph the interior at the start and finish.
Lint Removal
Signs you need it
The lint trap is clean but the dryer still overheats, or you find lint accumulating on surfaces near the machine despite cleaning the trap every load.
What it costs in Cambridge
Lint removal as a standalone job is part of the $130-$260 full vent cleaning; there is no separate upcharge for the lint itself.
How we do it
After the rotating brush breaks the lint free, we remove it through negative air pressure so it never blows back into the unit or the room.
Vent Rerouting
Signs you need it
The current vent path is so convoluted that cleaning can’t reach all sections, or the run terminates somewhere unsafe like a crawl space or porch ceiling.
What it costs in Cambridge
Rerouting a dryer vent in Cambridge costs $350-$800 depending on new termination location and the materials needed to meet fire code.
How we do it
We map the current run with the camera, propose a shorter path, install rigid metal duct, and photograph the new route from end to end.
What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in Cambridge
| Item | Typical range in Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection | $80-$150 |
| Full dryer vent cleaning | $130-$260 |
| Vent rerouting | $350-$800 |
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned in a Cambridge triple-decker?
Every 12 months if the household runs 3+ loads weekly, or every 6 months in student rental units where turnover is high and previous tenants’ lint load is unknown. The camera inspection tells you exactly what you’re dealing with.
Do Cambridge landlords need dryer vent cleaning between tenants?
Yes, and many Cambridge rental owners now schedule it with every lease turnover. We document the vent interior with photos, which gives the landlord a written record showing the vent was clear before the next tenant moved in. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written quote.
Duct Repair & Sealing in Cambridge
Duct repair and sealing in Cambridge addresses what retrofitted forced-air systems are famous for: leaks, gaps, disconnected joints, and crushed flex duct. Older triple-deckers and converted Victorians got ductwork installed around existing structure, not built for it, and that means seams open, tape fails, and sections that run through uninsulated basement or attic spaces lose conditioned air into places no one lives. The river-basin humidity makes those leaks worse by pulling damp outside air into the system during the cooling season. Our Duct Repair & Sealing service starts with a camera inspection of every accessible run and quotes one written price before any repair begins.
Duct Sealing
Signs you need it
Some rooms never reach temperature, the system cycles more than it should, or you can see visible gaps and disconnected sections at the plenum or branch takeoffs.
What it costs in Cambridge
Sealing accessible duct runs in a Cambridge home costs $400-$1,200 depending on how many runs are involved and whether they’re reachable from the basement or inside finished walls.
How we do it
We locate leaks with the camera and hand testing, apply UL-listed mastic sealant to every seam and joint, and photograph each repaired section before and after.
Flex Duct Repair
Signs you need it
You have flexible duct in a retrofitted section that’s crushed, torn, or sagging so badly that airflow to one part of the unit has dropped noticeably.
What it costs in Cambridge
Repairing or replacing a damaged flex duct run in Cambridge runs $250-$650 per run, with the exact number depending on the run length and whether the section is accessible.
How we do it
We cut out the damaged section, install new insulated flex or rigid metal where the code requires it, and seal both ends with mastic and metal tape.
Metal Duct Repair
Signs you need it
You hear rattling or banging when the blower kicks on, or the camera shows separated joints, rust-through, or sections that have pulled apart inside a finished ceiling.
What it costs in Cambridge
Metal duct repair in Cambridge costs $500-$1,600 depending on the section length and whether access requires opening a finished wall or ceiling.
How we do it
We repair or replace the damaged metal section, reinforce loose joints, and re-hang or re-support sections so they don’t move when the system cycles.
What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in Cambridge
| Item | Typical range in Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Duct sealing | $400-$1,200 |
| Flex duct repair | $250-$650 per run |
| Metal duct repair | $500-$1,600 |
Why are Cambridge duct repairs more expensive than suburban work?
Retrofitted ductwork in pre-WWII buildings means tight access, hidden junctions, and configurations that don’t match modern code. Time on the job is genuinely longer, and the camera record shows why the price is what it is.
Can you seal ducts in a Cambridge rental without the landlord present?
Yes, as long as the property owner or management company has authorized the work in writing. We photograph every section we touch, and the written scope plus photo record goes to the landlord. Call (806) 606-6902.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in Cambridge
Air quality and sanitizing in Cambridge handles what humid Charles River summers and old retrofit ductwork produce: mold, mildew, bacteria, and odors that lodge inside the system and circulate through every room. In triple-deckers and converted Victorians, moisture that enters uninsulated duct runs during the summer doesn’t dry out; it condenses on cold surfaces and feeds microbial growth that the heating system then distributes once winter hits. Student rental units near Harvard and MIT often carry the accumulated airborne residue of years of tenants, cooking, and renovation dust. Our Air Quality & Sanitizing service applies a registered antimicrobial to the duct interior after cleaning and documents the before and after with photographs.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
You see visible mold growth at the register or inside the duct during a camera inspection, or you smell a persistent musty odor that gets stronger when the system runs.
What it costs in Cambridge
Mold treatment for the duct system in Cambridge costs $350-$900 depending on the number of runs and whether the plenum and coil also need treatment.
How we do it
We clean the affected surfaces with HEPA-filtered negative air, apply an EPA-registered antimicrobial to the duct interior, and photograph every treated section.
Odor Removal
Signs you need it
The system blows a smell of damp, cooking, pets, or smoke even after the ducts have been cleaned, especially when the blower first kicks on.
What it costs in Cambridge
Odor removal in Cambridge runs $250-$600 and is usually combined with a full duct cleaning for a single written price.
How we do it
We clean the ducts, apply a neutralizing agent designed for HVAC surfaces, and photograph the areas where the odor source was concentrated.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
You want ongoing protection against mold and bacteria growth inside the plenum or at the coil, especially in a Cambridge home with persistent summer humidity.
What it costs in Cambridge
A UV light installation in Cambridge costs $450-$950 with the unit and labor included in the written quote.
How we do it
We mount a UV lamp inside the plenum or at the coil, wire it to the system so it cycles with the blower, and photograph the installation.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Cambridge
| Item | Typical range in Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Mold treatment | $350-$900 |
| Odor removal | $250-$600 |
| UV light installation | $450-$950 |
Does sanitizing actually remove mold inside Cambridge ductwork?
Sanitizing kills surface mold and bacteria when applied after proper cleaning. If the underlying moisture problem isn’t addressed, growth can return, so we document the condition and recommend any sealing or insulation work the camera reveals.
Do I need landlord permission for sanitizing in a Cambridge rental?
Yes, as with any duct work in a rental unit. We provide a written scope and photo record for the property owner. Call (806) 606-6902 for a quote.
Brands We Service in Cambridge
We service and install equipment from our brands including Honeywell media cabinets, Aprilaire filters, and Guardsman UV systems. Parts for common Cambridge retrofit configurations are stocked locally, which means most repair and replacement jobs are quoted and scheduled in a single visit.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Cambridge, MA
| Service | Typical range in Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection | $80-$150 |
| Full dryer vent cleaning | $130-$260 |
| Vent rerouting | $350-$800 |
| Duct sealing | $400-$1,200 |
| Flex duct repair | $250-$650 per run |
| Metal duct repair | $500-$1,600 |
| Mold treatment | $350-$900 |
| Odor removal | $250-$600 |
| UV light installation | $450-$950 |
What pushes a Cambridge price toward the top of these ranges is access. When ducts pass through finished ceilings, interior walls, or tight basement clearances in older triple-deckers, the job takes longer and requires different equipment than a straight suburban run. Every job gets one flat written price before work starts, under Haven Standard Clause 1, with no per-vent charges and no hidden fees added once the truck leaves.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Cambridge
We work throughout Cambridge, from the dense triple-decker blocks of East Cambridge and The Port to the converted Victorians in Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Mid-Cambridge, plus the larger homes near Fresh Pond and West Cambridge. Scheduling is coordinated from our Boston office, with crews serving Cambridge locally throughout the week.
- East Cambridge
- The Port
- Cambridgeport
- Riverside
- Mid-Cambridge
Service Area - Cities Near Cambridge
We also serve homeowners in Somerville, MA, Watertown, MA, Belmont, MA, and Medford, MA. Each city has its own housing stock and retrofit duct patterns, but the same written pricing and photo documentation standard applies across the metro area.
Serving Cambridge, MA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Cambridge 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 Cambridge
No permit is required for typical duct cleaning or duct sealing in Cambridge. If repair work requires opening a finished wall or ceiling, or if gas appliances are involved, the scope may trigger local code review. We identify any permit triggers in the written quote before work starts.
Scheduling is usually available within a few business days. We coordinate dispatch from our Boston office, and because crews serve Cambridge locally throughout the week, most jobs are scheduled without a long wait. You’ll get a written price before any work begins.
Yes. Many Cambridge condo associations in converted Victorians require vendor insurance documentation before work begins. We can provide what the association asks for, and we keep a written scope and photo record that satisfies the board’s documentation requirements.
For a written price on any duct or vent service in Cambridge, call (806) 606-6902. A live person answers, and you’ll get a firm quote before anyone touches a panel.
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 Cambridge Customers Say
"They found a disconnected duct in the crawl space that had been dumping conditioned air under the house for years. Photographed it, quoted the repair, fixed it."
- Devon A."On time, professional, and explained what the readings meant without talking down to me."
- Warren E."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.