The most common shortcut in the market
Cleaning the visible grille and the first metre of duct, then calling it a duct clean. It looks convincing from the room and leaves most of the run untouched. It is also why some homes see no improvement after paying for duct cleaning.
What a full clean requires
A rotary brush machine driven through the accessible run, a HEPA-filtered negative-air vacuum at the collection point so dislodged dust travels to the machine rather than into your room, and access to the evaporator coil, blower wheel and drain tray. Without negative pressure, duct cleaning redistributes dust rather than removing it.
Coils matter as much as ducts
Ducts carry the air; the coil conditions it. A fouled coil restricts airflow and holds moisture and biofilm, which is where the musty smell usually originates. A quote that covers ducts but not the coil is covering half the system.
Ask for evidence tied to identified runs
Before and after photographs of the same, individually identified runs. Generic stock photos of a dirty duct prove nothing. This single question filters the market faster than any other.
Price versus scope
A low duct cleaning price usually means fewer runs, no coil work, or no negative-air equipment. City Walk Cleaning Services charges quoted after inspectionthe full accessible run, coil, blower wheel and drain tray, with photographs of the identified runs. Compare on scope, not on the headline figure.
Want a fixed written quote to compare?
Inspection, no obligation. Compare it against anything else you have. Send us a message and we will confirm an inspection slot, usually the same day.