Search for who to hire to clean a dryer vent and you will get a mix of answers: dryer vent specialists, chimney sweeps, HVAC companies, air duct cleaners, handymen and appliance repair shops. Several of them can do the job well. What matters more than the type of company is what you ask before you book. This guide covers the kinds of businesses that offer dryer vent work around Birmingham, the Alabama rules that may come up, and a simple checklist: business license, insurance and a written quote.
Who does dryer vent cleaning?
- Dryer vent specialists. Companies that focus on dryer exhaust systems: cleaning, airflow testing, repairs, reroutes and caps. Vents are their main work rather than an add-on.
- Chimney sweeps. Many sweeps also clean dryer vents, since the tools and the roof work overlap.
- HVAC and air duct cleaning companies. Some heating and cooling companies offer dryer vent cleaning alongside their other services. Do HVAC companies do dryer vent cleaning? Many do, but not all, so ask.
- Handymen and appliance repair techs. Some will swap a crushed transition hose or clear lint near the dryer. Ask whether they clean the full run to the outside.
Whoever you call, ask what their visit actually includes. A thorough job typically covers the transition duct, the full exhaust run and the outside termination, often with before-and-after airflow readings or a camera inspection. Our dryer vent cleaning and process pages describe what a typical visit involves.
Alabama rules that may come up
Alabama has several boards that could matter depending on the job. Here is what the state's own rules say, in plain terms.
Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB): the $10,000 and $2,500 thresholds
Under Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Board law (Ala. Code § 34-14A-2), a license applies to residential repair and improvement jobs when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $10,000, or exceeds $2,500 for residential roofing. Typical dryer vent jobs cost far less. National ranges for cleaning run about $104–$188, and even a reroute or new vent run is typically $200–$500 (see the table below).
If you are planning a larger project that bundles vent work with other remodeling and the total is over those figures, the HBLB thresholds become relevant. The Board offers a Licensee Search on its website, hblb.alabama.gov, and notes that online results are not official and can be confirmed by calling the Board.
HVAC board (HACR): certification for air duct cleaning
Alabama's HVAC board (HACR) requires certification for HVAC air duct cleaning. Its Rule 440-X-3-.02(3) says certification "is required for work involving air duct cleaning services, filter changing services, test and balance services, and the cleaning of heating, air conditioning or refrigeration equipment or systems."
So if a company also offers air duct cleaning, and especially if you want a combined air duct and dryer vent visit, ask about its HACR certification. The board's website is hacr.alabama.gov.
Commercial and multifamily
Larger apartment and commercial properties can fall under different state rules than single-family homes. Property managers should confirm requirements for their building type. See our apartment and commercial dryer vent page for what those jobs typically involve.
The basic checklist: license, insurance, written quote
Whatever kind of company you choose, three things are fair to ask for:
- A city business license. The City of Birmingham states that "a license is required prior to commencement of business in the City," and suburbs such as Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood and Pelham issue their own. Ask which city license the company holds.
- Proof of liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance, not just a yes on the phone. For roof vents, ask whether the coverage includes work on roofs.
- A written quote. Get the price and scope in writing before work starts (see the next section).
Also worth checking: recent reviews you can read yourself on independent sites, and how the company answers questions. A good technician will explain what they found in plain language.
What a good written quote should include
- The vent's location (wall, second floor or roof) and the approximate run length.
- What the base price covers: transition duct, full run, termination, lint removal and cleanup.
- Whether airflow readings or a camera inspection are included.
- Separate line items for extras such as bird nest removal, a replacement cap, a new transition duct or a reroute.
- Any trip, roof-access or after-hours charges.
Use national ranges as a sanity check:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent cleaning, overall | about $104–$188 (HomeAdvisor avg about $145; full range $75–$340) |
| Inspection / airflow check | $30–$60 |
| Second-floor vent | $110–$200 |
| Roof vent | $150–$300 |
| Reroute or new vent run | $200–$500 (duct replacement $175–$600) |
| Air duct cleaning add-on (HVAC, HACR-certified company) | $270–$490 |
Typical national ranges from HomeAdvisor (2026), Fixr (2025) and Bob Vila (2024) — estimates, not quotes. The real price depends on vent length, stories, roof access and condition. More on the dryer vent cleaning cost page.
Questions to ask before you book
"Do you clean the whole run to the outside?"
Clearing lint from behind the dryer alone leaves most of the vent untouched.
"What will you do at the termination?"
The International Residential Code, which Alabama has adopted with amendments, requires a backdraft damper at the termination and says screens shall not be installed there. A company that suggests adding mesh to the vent is proposing something the code doesn't allow.
"How do you handle long runs?"
The 2021 IRC prohibits domestic booster fans in dryer exhaust systems. Where a run is too long, the code allows a UL 705 listed power ventilator, or a reroute. See the 35-foot rule guide.
"Will I need a permit?"
For a new vent route through a wall or the roof, check with your city's permit office.
"What happens if you find damage?"
Ask for photos and a separate price before any repair beyond the quoted scope.
Get free quotes from local companies
Birmingham Dryer Vent Cleaning is a free quote service. We connect Birmingham-area homeowners with independent local dryer vent cleaning companies for free, no-obligation quotes. When you hear back, use the checklist above: ask for the business license, proof of liability insurance and a written quote, and ask about HACR certification if you also want air duct cleaning. Browse our service areas, read the FAQ, or request your free quote. We usually reply the same day.