Extractor Fan Repair: How Long Does It Take To Fix One?

If your extractor fan suddenly stops spinning or sounds like a jet engine, you’re probably wondering—how long is this going to take to fix? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope. Some repairs can be knocked out before your coffee cools, but tougher jobs might put your fan out of action for a whole afternoon or even a day.

The main thing? Not all extractor fans and problems are created equal. Swapping out a noisy bathroom fan motor could take less than an hour with the right tools. Tracing weird electrical faults, or sorting out a greasy kitchen fan that hasn’t been touched in years, can mean extra time—even for an experienced pro.

Before reaching for a screwdriver or calling someone in, it pays to get a handle on what usually slows things down. Age, how easy it is to reach, and whether it’s clogged with dust or kitchen grime all factor in. Sometimes, just getting the fan cover off is a battle if it’s warped or painted over.

• What Affects Repair Time?
• DIY Fixes vs. Calling a Pro
• Typical Repair Timeline—Bathroom vs. Kitchen Fans
• Quick Tips for a Faster Fix

What Affects Repair Time?

Fixing an extractor fan repair job is faster when you know exactly what’s slowing things down. Most of the time, the tough part isn’t the repair—it’s the detective work leading up to it. Here’s what really makes a difference:

• Type of Extractor Fan: Basic bathroom fans are usually simpler than chunky kitchen models. Kitchen fans fight sticky grease, which adds mess and time.
• Age and Condition: Fans over ten years old are more likely to have seized screws, stuck covers, and brittle wires. Expect more hassle (and maybe extra trips to the hardware store).
• Access: Ceiling-mounted fans smack in the middle of a tiny bathroom or a kitchen hood squeezed between cabinets take longer to reach and take apart.
• Parts Availability: If you need to order a replacement motor or switch, you’re stuck waiting—sometimes a couple of days, sometimes a week if it’s an odd model.
• Electrical Issues: Faulty wiring, dodgy fuses, or issues with a linked light switch can turn a 20-minute fix into a two-hour slog.

One HVAC engineer from Which? put it plainly:

“The main holdups with extractor fan repairs are usually access problems or stuck fans caked in dust and grease. When you know what to expect, most bathroom fans take under an hour; kitchens can be double that if you run into blockages.”

Check out this table for what to expect based on the most common scenarios:

If you’re lucky and your fan is newer, not gunked up, and easy to reach, you’re golden. If it’s old and awkward, block off a bigger chunk of your day. Honestly, that’s the difference between a quick DIY and something that drags on till dinner.

DIY Fixes vs. Calling a Pro

Trying to fix an extractor fan yourself might sound like a money-saver, but it really depends on the issue and your comfort with tools. Some common problems are surprisingly simple to sort out without needing an expert—think loose covers, clogged filters, or dead fuses. If your fan just needs a good cleaning or a fresh fuse, expect to spend 20 to 40 minutes tops.

But once you get into trickier stuff like wiring issues, busted motors, or fans jammed by kitchen grease, calling a pro starts making a lot more sense. Messing with electrical connections if you’re not sure what you’re doing is risky—plus, most repair companies have the right replacement parts on hand. That can slash your downtime versus hunting for that exact part yourself.

If you’re still on the fence, here’s a side-by-side look at both options:

One important tip: Don’t tackle anything that means working with live wires unless you know how to shut off the power safely. So, if your extractor fan smells burnt, keeps blowing fuses, or just won’t spin even after cleaning—reach out to a licensed pro. For most UK homes, a callout costs around £70–£120 for small repairs, which often gets your kitchen or bathroom back to normal faster than wrestling with it on your own.

• Attempt small jobs like cleaning, tightening screws, or filter replacement yourself.
• Leave electrical or full motor replacements to trained repair folks.
• If your fan is old or discontinued, pros can often source rare parts much quicker.

At the end of the day, balancing DIY and pro help really comes down to safety, time, and the type of extractor fan repair you’re dealing with.

Typical Repair Timeline—Bathroom vs. Kitchen Fans

Wondering exactly how much of your day fix a fan will eat up? It really depends if you’re talking about a bathroom or kitchen model. Here’s where things get specific—bathroom fans and kitchen fans aren't built the same way, and they don't face the same problems.

Bathroom extractor fans are usually smaller and easier to access. Most repairs, like cleaning out dust, swapping a busted switch, or replacing a noisy motor, can be wrapped up in about 30 to 90 minutes. If you’ve done this before or you’re handy with basic tools, you’ll be closer to the quick end of that range. Even pros rarely need more than a couple of hours unless the wiring is hidden behind tiles.

Kitchen extractor fans, especially range hoods, tend to take more time. Grease build-up and tougher wiring often get in the way. A simple part swap takes roughly 60 to 120 minutes, but a major clean-out or replacing an internal motor can stretch things to 3 or 4 hours. Wall-mounted or ceiling models are usually faster than built-in, hidden ones buried in cabinets.

If you’re comparing DIY versus a pro job, pros are obviously faster. They bring the right parts and tools up front. Here’s some average timings to keep in mind:

A quick tip? Always check if your fan is hooked up to the home’s main wiring or just plugged in. Fans hardwired into the ceiling or wall slow things down, so expect to double the time if you need to cut into plaster or mess with electrical connections. Don’t forget, if your extractor fan repair needs replacement parts you don’t have on hand, just factor in that extra trip to the store.

Quick Tips for a Faster Fix

If you want to speed up your extractor fan repair, a little prep work goes a long way. Even simple mistakes—like forgetting to cut the power—can eat up time and add frustration.

• Always kill the power first. Don’t just flick the wall switch. Shut off the breaker that controls the fan. This avoids accidental shocks, which honestly slow everything down.
• Gather what you need before you start. You’ll usually want a screwdriver, dust mask, torch or phone light, small brush, and maybe a replacement fuse or basic motor. Double check your fan’s size and any replacement part numbers before you shop.
• Check for clogs and gunk. Dust and grime are the biggest time-stealers. Soak the cover in soapy water and give the blades a good wipe. For kitchen fans, degreaser can help if things are really caked on.
• Test the switch and fuse first. These are the two quickest fixes for a dead fan. If either is blown, swap them out before you do anything bigger.
• Look up your model. Even if you’ve fixed fans before, every design is a little different. A fast glance at the manual or a YouTube search saves hunting for hidden screws or tricky clips.

Want to know what jobs take the longest? Here’s a table showing rough times for common fixes:

If you speed through the basics but still can't get it working, don’t force parts or fiddle aimlessly. Sometimes the fastest way to a working fan is calling in an expert straight away—especially if you hear sparking or smell burning. Never worth risking your safety or ending up with a bigger repair bill.