Updated on 12th September 2024

Aussies know that summer here can be punishing, with super high temperatures and some spots experiencing humidity. While air conditioning is a great addition to a property, it’s not cheap to run and not always the most eco-friendly choice.

Enter the trusty ceiling fan.

A ceiling fan can help make summers more bearable without breaking the bank, as shown by their growing popularity worldwide. They’re quick to install and can be fairly cheap, depending on where you live and other factors affecting installation. If you’re considering a ceiling fan installation just in time for summer, here’s how much you can expect to pay.

How much does it cost to install a ceiling fan?

In most cases, hiring an electrician to install a ceiling fan will set you back anywhere between $100 and $600. If you’re installing a particularly expensive product in an area with a high cost of living, you might pay up to $1000+.

Name of City Average Cost
Sydney $160 - $500
Adelaide $100 - $300
Melbourne $150 - $300
Perth $150 - $500
Brisbane $150 - $550
Canberra $150 - $260
Total Average Cost for All Cities $272.50

Which factors affect ceiling fan installation cost?

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Image credit Approved Electrix

Several factors influence how much the total job, including the electrician will cost. These include:

Labour

The time the installation takes will affect the price. Extras like installing a wall switch, cleaning the ceiling, or adding wires will all increase the installation costs, especially since many electricians charge by the hour.

To keep labour costs to a minimum, ensure the area is adequately prepped for the professional. That way, you won’t waste money paying for them to clean your ceiling before getting started.

Fan/blade type

Part of what you’ll pay depends on the ceiling fan itself. Not all ceiling fans are made equal - some are much pricier than others.

Durable, hardwood ceiling fans are more expensive, while coloured fans with a special design will also set you back more.

Hanging propeller fans in particular can cost more. These fans are made for homes with ceilings higher than nine feet. Rather than being installed directly onto the ceiling, their mounts and blades are mounted using a down-rod. Depending on the material, these ceiling fans can set you back over $1000.

Region

As seen in the table above, where you live affects the price of your ceiling installation. Some states and cities are more expensive than others due to the higher cost of living and higher wages.

Saving money on a ceiling fan installation

While many of these factors are out of your control, there are still plenty of ways to save money on a ceiling fan installation.

  • Hire a trusted professional: Working with a trusted professional is the most effective way to save money. They’ll not only charge you a price that accurately reflects the quality of the work done, but you’ll also save money by not having to correct a poorly done installation.
  • Gather multiple quotes: Don’t just opt for the first quote you receive - gather multiple and compare them. The easiest way to do this is using a review and quote comparison website.
  • Choose a cheaper model: Save money on your ceiling fan installation by opting for a cheaper model. While more affordable varieties might not be as powerful as their more expensive counterparts, there’s a sweet spot between the two that promises value for money.

Ceiling fans vs air conditioning

The ceiling fan vs air conditioning debate is an eternal one, and the truth is that both products have their pros and cons.

Ceiling fans are particularly useful for eco or budget-conscious households. Likewise, if most of your home stays cool apart from just one or two rooms, installing a ceiling fan in the affected room(s) is more budget-friendly than getting A/C throughout the entire property.

In regions and homes particularly affected by heat, a ceiling fan might not be powerful enough, so consider installing an air conditioning unit instead.

FAQs

No matter how well you do in matters of DIY, there’s a difference between putting up a shelf and installing a ceiling fan. The latter should be left to a seasoned professional. While it will cost you more upfront to hire an electrician, you’ll save the money that you’d spend in the long run on correcting poor electrical work.

Using a reputable comparison site with reviews to search through is the easiest way to find the right professional for the job. Don’t trust a service provider who doesn’t give you a quote upfront, and don’t be afraid to ask for reviews or testimonials of previous work. An experienced electrician should have a portfolio of previous work to refer to.

Installing a ceiling fan isn’t a particularly complex job for an experienced professional, so it should take no longer than 1-3 hours. Hanging propeller fans can take longer to install, and the time will increase if the electrician has to clear the space around the ceiling fan before beginning the installation.

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