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Hire a specialized vacuum installer to handle your central vacuum system, learn when an HVAC pro qualifies, and know the questions to ask to protect your walls and investment


Installing a central vacuum involves mounting a power unit, precision piping, wiring, and outlet placement across your home.
DIY is not recommended—this project demands skills comparable to an HVAC installation to avoid costly damage.
Home size affects the number of outlets needed and overall scope; fewer outlets reduce complexity and cost considerations.
Hiring a specialist minimizes wall damage and ensures the system works correctly the first time.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
When deciding who installs central vacuum systems, hire a specialized vacuum installer. This whole-home project requires precision planning, piping, and wiring on par with HVAC work. Verify experience with outlet placement and damage-minimizing methods using a clear pro hiring guide.
A specialized vacuum installer plans the layout, makes precise cuts, and routes piping to each inlet while minimizing wall damage. These pros understand system types, how many outlets each floor needs, and safe wiring to a power and filtration unit located in a dry, well-ventilated area. Hiring a specialist gets the job done right the first time, avoids costly DIY mistakes, and provides numerous other advantages, including:
Whole-home layout planning and outlet placement
Precision cuts and clean wall penetrations
Efficient piping routes to reduce wall damage
Correct wiring of inlets and accessories
Proper placement of power and filtration unit
Guidance on cyclonic versus filtered systems
Recommendations on number of outlets per floor
Ability to discuss guarantees or warranties
End-to-end setup of hoses and tools
Some HVAC pros can install central vacuum systems, but confirm they have direct, recent experience. Ask detailed questions about past installations, system recommendations, planning approach, and how they limit wall damage. Verify any guarantees or warranties on their work. Do your research so you can evaluate answers with confidence. If a pro cannot answer clearly, keep looking for a true specialist.
If you want to ensure your installation is handled by an expert, consider hiring a central vacuum installer near you to guarantee a professional and efficient result.
Pros first determine the system type—cyclonic or filtered—then map piping routes and choose inlet locations. They thread pipes through walls, connect lines to a power and filtration unit in a dry, well-ventilated area, and wire each inlet. Pros cut minimal, precise openings to limit damage, then finish by installing hoses, brushes, wands, and other accessories.
Smaller homes require fewer outlets, which reduces scope and overall planning. Pros emphasize damage-minimizing methods during wall cuts and routing. They confirm every component functions as intended before finishing.
Hiring a pro for central vacuum system installation averages $1,600. Total costs range from $240 to $3,000, depending on the system type, home size, accessories, and labor rates. Most pros charge between $500 and $700 for labor in homes under 2,000 square feet, but larger homes may incur labor expenses exceeding $1,000.
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