Estimate on Central Vac Install Cost

Although I have no plans to install a central vacuum anytime soon, I would like to get a rough estimate on the cost. I plan to buy parts separately, and I already have a 50ft hose and a turbine carpet nozzle.

What I need to know is how much it will cost in install a vacuum unit and the vacuum piping. I plan to buy a used vacuum unit from a vacuum dealer I know of, which will be much cheaper. I do not want to install it myself; our house has no basement and a tiny attic. I read somewhere that a professional install costs about $150-200 an inlet valve. I've determined that out house would need about 2 outlets, at most 3 even with a 30 foot hose. Would the $400 include the piping?

What if I called someone over to install the unit and I already bought the piping and inlet valves? Would this be cheaper than buying directly from the dealer?

I actually want a basic setup as well. I don't need nor want a high-voltage hose or direct connect wands. I just want a simple, full face inlet valve that turns on the motor when I open it.

That being said, what would be the cost for a setup like this, excluding the hose and vacuum unit? Would buying the piping separately save me any money?

I know this sounds complicated; just trying to get a dream vac at the lowest cost possible :)

Nathaniel


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Post# 155196 10/12/2011 at 21:44 (4,576 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes Although I have no plans to install a central vacuum anytime soon, I would like to get a rough estimate on the cost. I plan to buy parts separately, and I already have a 50ft hose and a turbine carpet nozzle. What I need to know is how much it will cost in install a vacuum unit and the vacuum piping. I plan to buy a used vacuum unit from a vacuum dealer I know of, which will be much cheaper. I do not want to install it myself; our house has no basement and a tiny attic. I read somewhere that a professional install costs about $150-200 an inlet valve. I've determined that out house would need about 2 outlets, at most 3 even with a 30 foot hose. Would the $400 include the piping? What if I called someone over to install the unit and I already bought the piping and inlet valves? Would this be cheaper than buying directly from the dealer? I actually want a basic setup as well. I don't need nor want a high-voltage hose or direct connect wands. I just want a simple, full face inlet valve that turns on the motor when I open it. That being said, what would be the cost for a setup like this, excluding the hose and vacuum unit? Would buying the piping separately save me any money? I know this sounds complicated; just trying to get a dream vac at the lowest cost possible :) Nathaniel

Post# 155257 , Reply# 1 10/13/2011 at 09:46 (4,575 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)
Checkrate/Likes This sounds like something you should be asking a CV installer, not a bunch of people with limited experience. I'll try to help you as much as possible: ...That will save you about $300 from the get-go!! ....We charge $500 per inlet including tubing on a normal job. If there are issues in the existing home, we charge up to $700. We are on the high end, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality ......The only person you can ask this to is whoever installs it. These guys here don't have a clue ...... We would never use someone's piping and inlets. This happened once, and we turned the job down. Let the people who install make the money- they know how much of what to bring, and what type of inlets to use, etc. You don't have the experience to purchase the raw materials. We don't even install parts if someone brings them into the store (liability issue). ......Get a company to come out and do an estimate for you, negotiate between whoever you get. Three estimates is the magic number. Central vacuums are not an area for someone who is inexperienced to tread- you can cause permanent damage to your home and waste a lot of money on material if not installed properly

Post# 155258 , Reply# 2 10/13/2011 at 09:55 (4,575 days old) by twocvbloke ()
Checkrate/Likes Have a read here on someone's DIY fit of their own Central Vac system: CLICK HERE TO GO TO twocvbloke's LINK

Post# 155262 , Reply# 3 10/13/2011 at 10:30 (4,575 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)
Checkrate/Likes *I Paid* $125 per inlet for an excellent installation. That means installed through the studs and walls and not inside closets. This was my third installation so I have some experience. Fred

Post# 155263 , Reply# 4 10/13/2011 at 10:42 (4,575 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)
Checkrate/Likes Let me correct my post- The $500 per inlet includes a high-end unit. 2- inlet minimum. That makes a HUGE difference in what others have posted and what you have heard about.

Post# 155266 , Reply# 5 10/13/2011 at 11:47 (4,575 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes I'm not interested in paying for it all at once. I can't afford a high-end model and I definitely do not want a cheap Nutone or another low-end brand. I guess I'll have to call some vacuum dealers around here then. compactelectra: Did your price include the piping? I've seen earlier on this website that you own a Silent Master, so did you use an MD dealer?

Post# 155321 , Reply# 6 10/13/2011 at 16:20 (4,575 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes If you want bagged, go for MD SilentMaster Or if you're into cyclonic, go for the Vacuflo. Stay away from XXX; their reliability is VERY poor. And XXX Central-X central vacs have been recalled various times over the past few yrs.