Hiring an air duct cleaner without asking the right questions is how homeowners end up overpaying or getting a superficial job. The short answer: before you commit, ask about their method, what the price includes, their insurance, and whether they document their work. Below are the ten questions worth asking every Florida company you consider.
The 10 questions
1. Do you use source-removal (negative-air) equipment?
This is the most important question. Source-removal puts your whole system under negative pressure and physically extracts debris. A “blow and go” with a shop vac does not.
2. Does the quote cover every vent, return, and the main trunk lines?
Some low quotes only cover a handful of registers. Confirm the entire system is included.
3. Are you insured?
General liability insurance protects you if ductwork, coils, or drywall is damaged during the job.
4. Are you NADCA-affiliated or certified?
NADCA sets the source-removal standard. Affiliation signals a documented process rather than improvised work.
5. Will you provide before-and-after photos?
Reputable companies document the inside of your ducts. This request alone filters out most low-effort crews.
6. What is the total written price, including add-ons?
Get the full number in writing before work starts, so surprise fees can’t appear at the end.
7. How do you handle mold if you find it?
In humid Florida, moisture and mold are common. A good answer involves photos, a written scope, and proper mold remediation, not a vague, same-day upsell.
8. How long will the job take?
A thorough single-system cleaning generally takes a few hours. A crew promising to be done in 20 minutes is not doing source-removal work.
9. Do you also clean the dryer vent?
Dryer vents are a separate service and a real fire-safety issue in Florida homes. Ask whether it’s included or a bundled add-on.
10. Can you put the guarantee in writing?
A company confident in its work will stand behind it.
What fair pricing looks like
Use this table to sanity-check any answer to question 6:
| Service | Typical Florida price |
|---|---|
| Air duct cleaning (single system) | $300 to $600 |
| Each additional HVAC system | $250 to $450 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $100 to $200 |
| Antimicrobial sanitizing (add-on) | $75 to $200 |
| UV light installation | $300 to $700 |
If someone answers question 6 with “$49,” you already have your answer, that price exists to get a technician in the door for an upsell, not to clean your ducts properly.
Why these questions protect you
Each question targets a common way homeowners get shortchanged. Questions 1, 2, and 8 confirm the work is real. Questions 3 and 4 confirm accountability. Questions 5 and 10 confirm documentation. Questions 6, 7, and 9 confirm honest pricing and no surprise upsells.
A quality company welcomes these questions. Evasiveness is itself an answer. When you’re ready to compare honest quotes for air duct cleaning or dryer vent cleaning, contact our Florida team and ask us all ten, we’re happy to answer every one.