Rangehoods, bathroom and laundry exhaust fans
Getting moisture and cooking grease out of the building, rather than moving it into the roof space.
Ducted or recirculating — it matters more than people think
A ducted rangehood pushes air outside. A recirculating one passes it through a charcoal filter and blows it back into the kitchen. Recirculating removes some smell and no moisture or heat at all, which is why a ducted hood is worth the extra work almost every time.
The same logic applies to bathroom fans, and here it's more consequential. A bathroom fan that vents into the roof space instead of outside is moving a great deal of warm, wet air into the one part of your house you never look at. In the Hills we find this constantly, usually in homes where a fan was replaced at some point and the ducting was never connected — or was connected and has since fallen off. The result is damp insulation, damp timber, and eventually mould and rot in the roof.
If your bathroom mirror stays fogged for a long time after a shower, or you've noticed a musty smell in the roof space, it's worth checking where the fan actually vents to.
What extraction work costs
Sydney, 2026. Electrical work and installation — ducting complexity is the main variable.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| Replace an existing bathroom exhaust fanSame position, existing ducting confirmed intact | $220 – $420 |
| New bathroom exhaust fan with ducting to outsideIncludes running duct and fitting an external vent | $400 – $750 |
| Three-in-one fan, light and heat unitCommon bathroom upgrade. Often needs a dedicated circuit | $450 – $900 |
| Rangehood, connected to an existing outletLike-for-like replacement | $200 – $450 |
| Ducted rangehood installationDucting through cabinetry and out through wall or roof | $400 – $900 |
| Laundry or subfloor ventilation fanWhere damp is a persistent problem | $350 – $700 |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.
Signs your extraction isn't working
The bathroom mirror stays fogged long after a shower
The fan isn't moving enough air, or it's moving it into the roof rather than outside. Both are worth fixing before it becomes a moisture problem in the ceiling.
Call 0422 253 379A musty smell in the roof space or the top of a wardrobe
Often a bathroom fan discharging into the roof cavity. The moisture has to go somewhere and it condenses on the underside of the roof.
Call 0422 253 379Grease film on kitchen walls and ceiling
A recirculating rangehood, or a ducted one whose filter is clogged. Recirculating hoods don't remove grease-laden moisture, they just filter some of the smell out of it.
Call 0422 253 379The fan is noisy but doesn't seem to pull
Usually a crushed or disconnected duct, or a fan well past its life. Noise without airflow is the classic symptom of duct that's kinked in the ceiling.
Call 0422 253 379Water marks on the ceiling near the fan
Condensation forming in an uninsulated duct and running back. It looks like a roof leak and it isn't.
Turn it off at the board and call 0422 253 379Rangehood and exhaust fan questions
Does my bathroom fan have to vent outside?
It should. Venting into the roof space dumps warm, moist air into the cavity, and over time that means damp insulation, damp timber and mould. It's one of the more common defects we find in Hills homes.
How much does rangehood installation cost?
$200–$450 for a like-for-like replacement onto an existing outlet. $400–$900 for a ducted installation running duct through cabinetry and out through the wall or roof.
Ducted or recirculating rangehood?
Ducted, if it's at all possible. Recirculating removes some odour and no moisture or heat. In an apartment or an internal kitchen with no external wall it's sometimes the only option, but it's a compromise.
Is a three-in-one fan, light and heat unit worth it?
In a cold bathroom, yes — they're genuinely good. They draw significant current though, so they often need their own circuit, which is worth checking before buying.
How do I know if my fan vents outside?
Look for a vent on an external wall or a roof cowl near the bathroom. If you can't find one, it probably doesn't. We can check from the roof space when we're there.
Can you fix a fan that's noisy but not pulling?
Usually. It's most often a crushed or disconnected duct rather than the fan itself, which is a cheaper fix than replacing the unit.
What customers say
Fantastic service! Friendly, efficient and well priced. Highly recommend. Thank you for swiftly fixing our switches.
Jason was great! One call and less than an hour later, he was here to save the day. Five stars for the prompt and reliable service.
Reliable and quality service.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile