Ceiling fan repair costs an average of $140
The average cost to repair a ceiling fan is $140, with a typical range between $87 and $197.
Factors that influence repair costs include the fan's size, quality, location, and how frequently it's used.
Simple repairs like blade adjustments or lubrication can cost as little as $50.
Hiring a professional ensures the repair is done safely and can extend the life of your ceiling fan.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Repairing a ceiling fan costs an average of $140, with most homeowners paying between $87 and $197. Simple fixes may be as low as $50, while complex repairs for high-end models can reach $337 or more. Factors like the fan's size, quality, and usage frequency influence the overall cost. Hiring a professional ensures the repair is done safely and extends the reliable lifespan of your ceiling fan.
Several factors affect the cost of repairing a ceiling fan, including the type of repair needed, the fan's age, and labor expenses.
The specific repair needed significantly impacts the cost. A ceiling fan that doesn't turn on might suffer from a faulty pull chain that costs as little as $85 to repair. On the other hand, a motor that has worn out could also be the cause, but that repair might cost as much as $350.
As ceiling fans age, components can wear out, leading to more frequent repairs. Regular cleaning and maintenance can extend a fan's lifespan, but constant use may still cause parts to fail over time.
If you find yourself replacing multiple parts, it might be time to install a new ceiling fan since it's likely parts will continue to fail, ending up costing more than a replacement. In some cases, an electrician may need to special order a component. If a ceiling fan pro near you can't find a replacement, installing a brand-new ceiling fan may be the only option.
The brand and model of your ceiling fan impact repair costs. Popular brands often have readily available and affordable replacement parts. In contrast, luxury or less common brands may be more expensive to repair due to limited part availability.
Labor costs for ceiling fan repairs range from $50 to $150 per hour. A local handyperson charges between $50 and $100 per hour, while electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour, plus a service call fee of $100 to $200. In some cases, repair costs may exceed the price of a new fan.
Some technicians charge a flat rate of $50 to $175 per ceiling fan repair. Repairing a pull chain costs $50 to $100, while fixing the fan's lighting or blades ranges from $70 to $180. The exact cost depends on the specific issue.
Here are common ceiling fan issues and their associated repair costs.
Issue | Average Repair Cost |
---|---|
Excessive movement | $90–$200 |
Excessive noise | $50–$200 |
Inadequate airflow | $80–$250 |
Lighting | $70–$200 |
Pull chain | $85–$150 |
Wall switch | $90–$150 |
Motor | $100–$350 |
Remote control | $20–$40 |
Fixing a wobbling ceiling fan costs between $90 and $200. This issue usually stems from an imbalance in the blades or the entire unit. An electrician may clean and tighten the blades, install a blade balancing kit, replace the hanger ball, or reattach the fan to the outlet box. Addressing excessive movement promptly is crucial to prevent damage or safety hazards.
Ceiling fans naturally produce some noise, but excessive humming, rattling, or squeaking may indicate issues like loose screws, worn-out parts, or motor problems. Sometimes, a simple cleaning resolves the noise; other times, professional repair is necessary.
Repairing a humming ceiling fan costs between $50 and $200. A professional ceiling fan repair technician near you can tighten fasteners, replace ball bearings, or add lubrication to resolve the issue. Humming typically occurs due to vibrations from loose parts or worn-out ball bearings. It may also signal a failing capacitor or motor. Prompt attention can prevent more serious problems.
It’ll cost $50 to $100 for a service professional to diagnose and repair this issue. As with humming, rattling usually occurs when something is loose. In this case, the noise is likely coming from your blades, lighting kit, or housing cover. If you have basic tools, like a screwdriver, you can attempt to repair this by tightening down the fasteners.
While rattling may not directly affect the fan's functionality, addressing it can prevent potential damage due to loose parts. Components like blades and light kits can become loose over time, so it's a common repair needed periodically.
Squeaking often means cleaning and lubrication for $50 to $150. You can often eliminate squeaking by cleaning the fan. Dust accumulation is the most common cause of a squeaky fan. When it enters small crevices and works its way between moving parts, it causes friction and noise.
If your fan still squeaks after you've cleaned the blades, housing, and other accessible areas, ask a professional to clean and lubricate the fan's motor and other internal parts.
Repairing inadequate airflow in a ceiling fan costs between $80 and $250. Common causes include incorrect installation height and improper blade pitch. For rooms with 9-foot ceilings, the fan should hang 12 inches from the ceiling; installing a rod extension can correct the height. The ideal blade pitch is about 12 degrees. If the blades are too flat, a technician can replace the blade mount arms to improve airflow.
Fixing a ceiling fan light issue costs $70 to $200. Ceiling fans with light kits occasionally encounter flickering or malfunctioning lighting issues. Always try a new light bulb before calling an electrician. If the light bulbs aren't the culprit, you might be dealing with damaged light sockets or loose wiring. Both issues are usually easy fixes, but it takes a technician up to two hours to complete the job.
Pull chain repairs cost between $85 and $150. When you pull on a ceiling fan's chain, you may notice that the fan doesn't turn on, doesn't cycle between speeds, or has separated completely and doesn't move at all or move freely. The most common fixes relating to a fan chain include a chain replacement, lubrication, and pull switch replacement.
Repairing a wall switch costs between $90 and $150 when a local electrician is hired. When you flip your wall switch to turn on your ceiling fan and it doesn't respond, it may not be the fan's fault. Sometimes, it might be a problem with the wall switch or something related to the electrical system, such as the circuit breaker.
Replacing a capacitor or the fan's motor will cost between $100 and $350. When it's clear that the reason your fan doesn't turn on is some fault with the fan itself, your repair tech will start disassembling your unit. If there are no issues with the wiring, your technician may run tests to determine a problem with the fan's capacitor or motor.
A new remote control costs $20 to $40. Typically, you won’t have the remote control repaired. Instead, you’ll opt for replacement if it’s broken since it’s typically an electronic component.
Installing a new ceiling fan costs between $85 and $640, averaging $145 to $355. If multiple parts fail or your fan is old, it might be more cost-effective to replace the entire unit rather than trying to repair it. Additionally, if you have several fans of the same age and brand, similar issues may arise in others. The 50% standard is a good rule of thumb; if repairs exceed half the cost of a new unit, replacement may be the better choice.
Diagnosing and repairing a ceiling fan can be complex, especially when electrical components are involved. While tasks like cleaning blades and tightening screws are suitable for DIY, repairing motors or wiring should be left to professionals. Working with electricity can be dangerous without proper experience, so hiring a local electrician is the safest option.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Maintain ceiling fans by cleaning them. They have sealed bearings so they don't usually need any type of lubrication. You'll want to dust the blades regularly, using a vacuum cleaner to get into inaccessible areas. You may want to remove the light cover and clean it out and any exposed areas for dust. You may need to use a wet cleaning solution of some kind, particularly on fans near kitchen areas, where grease buildup mixes with dust to create grime that can destroy your fan.
Common reasons include worn-out components from constant use, loose or faulty wiring, accumulated dirt and grime interfering with moving parts, electronic component failure, and physical damage from impacts. Motor capacitors may fail after years of operation, causing intermittent function or complete failure. Bearing issues can create excessive friction that eventually freezes the motor. Regular maintenance can help prevent these issues.
When a ceiling fan’s motor capacitor fails, it interrupts the essential electrical flow required for the fan’s proper operation. The capacitor is a compact but critical component responsible for initiating and regulating the power surge during startup and continuous operation. Without a functioning capacitor, the fan loses momentum, may experience stuttering speeds, and ultimately ceases to operate completely. Replacing the capacitor immediately restores the normal electrical balance, ensuring that the fan operates safely and efficiently while maintaining its intended airflow and performance levels.
Ceiling fans typically last between five and 15 years, averaging 10 years. Factors affecting lifespan include usage frequency, quality of materials, and routine maintenance. Environmental conditions also impact longevity. Ceiling fans installed in humid bathrooms or outdoor settings generally deteriorate faster than those in climate-controlled living spaces. Regular cleaning and prompt repairs can extend a fan's life and maintain its performance.