The policies a duct and dryer vent cleaning business carries
Duct cleaners work inside heating systems and on roofs, so damage to ducts, a furnace that will not restart and dust spread through the house are the claims to plan for. A dryer fire after a cleaning is the one to ask about by name.
| Policy | Average a month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $83 |
| Tools and equipment | $42 |
| Commercial auto | $270 |
| Workers' compensation | $160 |
| Surety or license bond | $9 |
Averages are what Insureon's customers among contractors as a group (it publishes no separate figures for duct and dryer vent cleaning) pay, from Insureon's cost page; most of its customers have fewer than five employees. Across all its small business customers, general liability runs $265 to $3,030 a year.
Claims duct cleaners plan for
- A furnace will not restart after the cleaning
- Dust is blown into the living room
- An agitation tool tears a flex duct in the attic
- A dryer fire is blamed on the vent cleaning
Ask your agent, in these words:
- Would my policy pay if a furnace will not restart after the cleaning?
- Would my policy pay if dust is blown into the living room?
- Would my policy pay if an agitation tool tears a flex duct in the attic?
- Would my policy pay if a dryer fire is blamed on the vent cleaning?
Name the work you sell
A policy covers the work you describe on the application. From the duct and dryer vent cleaning services list, name each of these and ask whether any is excluded: air duct cleaning; supply vent; return grille; job minimum; dryer vent cleaning, ground floor; dryer vent cleaning, second floor; dryer vent cleaning, roof exit; bird guard; furnace and blower cleaning; sanitizing; video inspection; vent reroute or new run.
The vacuum machine and the truck that carries it are the items to list. On the tools list, the items to list on the policy are larger negative air machine; air compressor and air whips; fogging sprayer; truck or van setup with hose storage; dryer vent airflow meter, and from the starter kit, portable negative air machine or a truck-mounted vacuum; rotary brush and whip kit; dryer vent brush kit for a drill; inspection camera; cordless drill.
State rules in the license
Most states do not license duct and dryer vent cleaning as a trade of its own. Work on the furnace or ductwork itself can fall under a state or city mechanical license, so keep to cleaning unless you hold one.
Cities, commercial customers and your contracts can still ask for more than any state rule.
Workers' comp and bonds
The SBA says every business with employees must carry workers' compensation, unemployment and disability insurance. Insureon's average for contractors as a group is $160 a month, priced per $100 of payroll. A bond protects the state or the customer, not you; Insureon puts its yearly cost at a share of the bond amount:
| Bond amount | Estimated yearly cost |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $25 to $500 |
| $10,000 | $50 to $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $250 to $5,000 |
Certificates of insurance
Property managers and commercial clients ask for a certificate before the first visit. Keep a PDF on your phone so you can send it the day they ask.
Sources
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: General liability insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Workers' compensation insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Surety bond cost, checked October 9, 2026
- SBA: Get business insurance, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.