Frequently Asked Questions - Air Duct Cleaning in Houston, TX
Straight answers to the questions Houston homeowners ask us most about air duct cleaning, pricing, and what actually happens during the job. If you don't see your question here, call (713) 936-5800 and we'll talk it through.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
Air duct cleaning in Houston typically runs between $350 and $650 for a full system in a standard single-family home, depending on home size, number of vents, and how long it's been since the last cleaning. We give you one written price for the entire system before any work starts, so the number you approve is the number you pay. No per-vent add-ons, no surprise fees at the door. For a precise quote on your home, call (713) 936-5800 and we'll walk you through it.
Cheap quotes usually mean a bait-and-switch: a low teaser price to get a van in your driveway, then pressure to add services once the tech is inside. In Houston's humid climate, that "basic" package often skips the coil cleaning and sanitizing that actually matter here. We don't play that game. One flat price per system, agreed before work begins, covering the whole job. If a quote seems too low to be real, it probably is. Call (713) 936-5800 for an honest number.
Per system, always. Per-vent pricing is how you end up with a $99 coupon that becomes $900 at the door. We quote one flat price for the entire duct system, all vents included, before any work starts. That's the Hollis way and it's non-negotiable. You'll know your exact price before you approve anything. Call (713) 936-5800 to get your system priced.
For most Houston homes, yes, especially with our heat and humidity. Houston's climate means air conditioning runs hard for months, pulling dust, pollen, and moisture through the system. Over time, that builds up on coils and inside ductwork, which can reduce airflow and force your AC to work harder. Clean ducts and coils let the system breathe, which helps efficiency and air quality. It's a maintenance item, not a luxury. For a fair price on your home, call (713) 936-5800.
No. Estimates are free, and they're real estimates, not vague ranges. We look at your system, count your vents, check access points, and give you a written number that covers everything. You keep that price whether you book or not. No obligation, no pressure. Call (713) 936-5800 to schedule your free estimate.
Service & Process FAQs
We connect a high-powered vacuum to your duct system to create negative pressure, then use rotating brushes and air whips to dislodge dust, debris, and buildup from inside the ducts. The loosened material gets pulled into the vacuum and contained, not blown through your house. We also clean the supply and return registers, and inspect accessible ductwork. The whole process usually takes 2 to 4 hours for a standard Houston home, depending on system size and accessibility.
A standard single-family home in Houston takes about 2 to 4 hours, start to finish. Larger homes with multiple systems or heavily soiled ducts can run longer. We schedule in blocks so the crew has time to do the job properly and leave your home clean. You don't need to be home the whole time, but we do need access to the system and the registers. Call (713) 936-5800 to talk about your specific home.
Not much. Move anything fragile away from vent openings, clear a path to the furnace or air handler, and know where your thermostat is. If you have pets, secure them in a room or crate while we work; the equipment makes noise and open doors can be an escape route. Our crews bring drop cloths and shoe covers, and they'll leave the site clean when they're done. That's part of The Garrison Code we work by.
No. We use a negative-pressure system that pulls dust out of the ducts and into a containment unit outside or in the van. We lay drop cloths around work areas, wear shoe covers inside, and clean up thoroughly when we're done. Leaving the site clean and squared away is one of the five points of The Garrison Code, and we take it seriously. Your house should look exactly like it did when we arrived, minus the dust in your ducts.
Yes. Two-story homes are common in neighborhoods like Clear Lake, Pearland, and The Woodlands, and we clean them regularly. The process is the same, but access to the main trunk line and returns on the upper floor sometimes takes a bit longer. We'll account for that in your written quote. Call (713) 936-5800 and tell us about your home's layout.
Every 3 to 5 years for most Houston homes. Houston's humidity and long cooling season mean more dust, more debris, and more moisture moving through your system than in drier climates. Homes with pets, recent renovations, or family members with allergies often benefit from cleaning closer to the 3-year mark. If you've never had the ducts cleaned and the house is over 10 years old, it's worth having them inspected. Call (713) 936-5800 and we'll help you figure out where you stand.
You can vacuum the register covers and change your filter, but that's not the same as cleaning the ducts. Proper duct cleaning requires specialized equipment: a high-power vacuum, rotating brushes, and agitation tools that reach deep into the duct runs. Consumer vacuum cleaners don't have the suction to pull debris from the full length of your system, and DIY attempts can damage flex ducts or push debris deeper. It's worth hiring a pro with the right gear. Call (713) 936-5800 to talk about what your system needs.
Brands & Parts FAQs
We run professional-grade duct cleaning equipment from names like Rotobrush and Nikro. These are truck-mounted or portable units designed specifically for duct work, with enough suction and agitation power to pull years of buildup out of the system. The tools matter because a weak vacuum just stirs dust around. With the right setup, the debris is actually removed from your home. We're happy to show you the setup when the crew arrives.
For most Houston homes, we recommend a filter in the MERV 8 to MERV 13 range, depending on your system's airflow capacity and whether anyone in the house has allergies. Brands like Honeywell and Aprilaire make solid filters that balance filtration with airflow. Higher MERV ratings catch more particles but can restrict airflow if your system isn't built for them. We can help you pick the right one for your specific unit when we're out. Call (713) 936-5800 with questions.
Our core job is cleaning the duct system itself, not selling equipment. If your home would benefit from an Aprilaire media filter or a Honeywell air cleaner, we can point you toward what works with your system, but we don't upsell products during a cleaning. What we do is get the existing system clean so whatever filter you use can do its job properly. Call (713) 936-5800 if you want to talk through your options.
No. The difference between a Rotobrush or Nikro unit and a shop-vac from the hardware store is enormous. Professional units generate the suction and agitation needed to remove debris from the full length of the duct runs, not just the first few feet from the register. They also contain what they pull out. That's why the equipment a company uses matters, and why we run the gear we run. Ask any company you're considering what they actually use on the job.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Every pro working under the Hollis name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. Our Houston branch operates under those same requirements, and we're happy to provide proof of insurance before we start work at your home. You should never let an uninsured contractor into your house, duct cleaning included. Call (713) 936-5800 and we can answer any credential questions before you book.
Roy Castellanos leads the Houston branch. He's the contact for local operations and knows the Houston market, from the humidity's effect on ductwork to the specific housing stock in neighborhoods across the metro area. When you call, you're speaking with a live coordinator who connects you with Roy's local team. That local presence is what makes the branch work. Call (713) 936-5800 to reach the team directly.
Hollis Air Duct Cleaning is part of the Garrison Partners family of brands. Each location is independently owned and operated, which means the Houston branch is a local business that agreed to work to The Garrison Standard. You get the consistency of a national brand's standards with a team that lives and works in Houston. That combination is exactly why the brand works the way it does. Call (713) 936-5800 to work with the local team.
Emergency & Response FAQs
Duct cleaning is a scheduled maintenance service, not an emergency call. We don't promise same-day dispatch or round-the-clock availability, and any company that does is likely cutting corners. What we do offer is dependable scheduling: our Houston branch is open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We show up inside the window we gave you. Call (713) 936-5800 to book a time that works for you.
Typically within a few days to a week, depending on the season and how many jobs are already booked. Houston's cooling season tends to fill the calendar, so spring and early summer are busy. We don't overbook, because showing up inside the window we gave is the first point of The Garrison Code. Call (713) 936-5800 and we'll find the earliest slot that actually works.
Our Houston branch serves the full metro area, including Spring, Humble, League City, Baytown, Atascocita, Fresno, Alvin, La Porte, Seabrook, Webster, and Mission Bend. If you're somewhere in between, call and ask. The service area is broad because Houston is broad, and our crews know the roads. Call (713) 936-5800 to confirm we cover your neighborhood.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
Every job is guaranteed in writing for a full year under The Garrison Standard. That means if the work fails within 12 months, we come back and make it right at no charge. The guarantee covers the cleaning work itself: the ducts we cleaned, the job we did. It's in writing before we start, and we stand behind it. That's the fifth point of The Garrison Code: stand behind the work for a full year. Call (713) 936-5800 with any questions about coverage.
The guarantee covers the duct cleaning work we performed. If the system re-contaminates or the job doesn't hold up within 12 months for reasons tied to our work, we come back and make it right at no charge. It doesn't cover new contamination from renovations, pest issues, or environmental factors outside our control. We explain exactly what's covered in your written agreement before we start, so there are no gray areas. Call (713) 936-5800 to talk through the details.
Written by Roy Castellanos, Owner at Hollis Air Duct Cleaning Houston, serving the Houston metro area since 2004.
Still Have Questions?
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(713) 936-5800