Range hood installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What range hood installation is

Range hood installation mounts a hood above a stove, runs ducting to the outside, wires the fan and light, and seals the penetration through the wall or roof. Wiring and ductwork both need to be right for the hood to clear smoke and steam and for the house to stay safe. People book it with a new range, a remodel or a kitchen that has no hood yet.

Signs you need it

  • You are replacing a hood, and the old duct size or position does not match the new one
  • The kitchen has a recirculating hood that does not clear smoke or grease well
  • Smoke and steam linger in the kitchen after cooking, or the fan is loud
  • Grease builds up on the duct, the cabinet above the range or the wall behind the stove
  • The new hood needs a new wall or roof vent cap and a sealed penetration
  • The fan or light does not work, or the wiring has been changed by an earlier owner

What the pro does

  • Check the hood's install guide, the range position, the cabinet height and the ducting size
  • Locate and mark the duct route, and confirm the framing allows the duct to pass through
  • Cut the wall or roof opening and install the duct, damper and exterior vent cap as the hood's install guide directs
  • Mount the hood to the wall or cabinet framing, and secure it so it does not shift
  • Connect the fan and light wiring, using the correct circuit the manual specifies, and make sure the work follows local rules
  • Seal every duct joint and the exterior penetration, then test the fan speeds and the light

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Ducted versus recirculating hood, since ducted work needs a new exterior run
  • Duct length, the number of bends and the duct size
  • Exterior penetration through a wall, a roof or a masonry chimney
  • Whether a new electrical circuit or outlet is needed, which may require a licensed electrician
  • Cabinet modification or framing needed to hang the hood
  • Access to the attic or the wall cavity along the route

What a written quote should spell out

  • Hood make, model and mounting height
  • Duct size, material, length, bends and the exterior vent cap
  • Whether the wall or roof penetration is included and how it is sealed
  • Which licensed trade does any electrical circuit work, and whether a permit is needed
  • Warranty on the installation, separate from the appliance warranty

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the hood ducted to the outside, and what size and material do you use?
  • How will you seal the wall or roof penetration against water and air?
  • Does the fan wiring need a new circuit, and who does that work?
  • Will the duct have a backdraft damper, and will the exterior cap close when the fan is off?
  • Do you check the fan airflow after the install?
  • Will you repair any cabinet or wall damage from the install?
  • Does your warranty cover a leak at the penetration later?

Red flags

  • Flexible plastic or foil duct used for the hood run
  • A duct run that terminates in the attic or inside the wall
  • A penetration left unsealed or sealed with the wrong material
  • Electrical wiring changed without a licensed electrician when one is needed
  • A hood mounted to drywall with no framing or blocking behind it

What you can do yourself

You can clear the space, read the install guide and measure the cabinet and ceiling heights. Turn off the breaker before you work near the fan or light wiring, and do not cut into a wall or roof. Call a pro for any ducting, roof or wall penetration, or electrical connection.

Licenses and permits

Range hood installs that connect new wiring can need a licensed electrician, and roof or wall penetrations and ducting can fall under local building rules that require a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your building department before you start.

Range hood installation questions

Do I need to vent a range hood outside?

Ducted venting to the outside removes smoke, steam and grease more effectively than recirculating. Check the install guide and ask the pro which option your kitchen supports.

Why does my hood still smell after installation?

A new hood can give off a faint factory smell at first. A smell that lasts or comes back often points to a recirculating hood with worn charcoal filters, a stuck damper or a duct that does not exhaust outside. Ask the pro to check the duct run and the damper.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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