Appliance installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What appliance installation is

Appliance installation covers delivering a new appliance to its spot, leveling it, connecting it to power, water, drain or gas, and testing it before you use it. People book it when a new unit needs a hookup they cannot make themselves or when they are moving into a home with an unfamiliar setup.

Signs you need it

  • You bought a range, dryer or refrigerator that needs a gas line, water line or dedicated outlet connected
  • The old unit is still in place and must be disconnected and taken away
  • The new unit is built-in or panel-ready and has to fit an exact cabinet opening
  • The space needs a vent, drain line or water shutoff that you have not used before
  • The delivery left the unit in a hallway or on the floor and it must be moved and leveled
  • You are not sure whether your outlet or water supply matches what the appliance needs

What the pro does

  • Check the install guide, the cabinet opening, clearances and existing connections before the work starts
  • Remove shipping bolts, packing and protective pieces, then move the unit into place
  • Connect the water supply lines, drain hose or gas line with the fittings the model requires
  • Level the appliance and secure it, such as anchoring a built-in unit or fitting a stacking kit
  • Run a test cycle and check every connection for leaks and unusual noise
  • Show you the controls, then remove the old unit if that was agreed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Type of appliance and whether it is built-in, freestanding or panel-ready
  • Whether the hookup is a simple plug-in or needs a new water line, drain or gas line
  • Whether the outlet needs to be changed or a new circuit added by a licensed electrician
  • Distance from the delivery point, plus stairs or tight doorways
  • Removing and hauling away the old appliance
  • Venting length and routing for a dryer or range hood
  • Cabinet trim or modification needed to fit the unit

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each connection the work covers, such as water, drain, gas or power
  • Whether the old appliance will be removed and where it will go
  • Parts such as supply lines, drain kits, anti-tip brackets or stacking kits, and who supplies them
  • Which parts of the job, if any, a licensed trade will handle
  • Warranty on the installation, separate from the appliance warranty

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you check the install guide and the space before the visit?
  • Do you connect gas lines yourself, or do you bring in a licensed gas trade?
  • Who handles any outlet, water or drain work, and are they licensed?
  • What happens if the outlet or water supply does not match the appliance?
  • Will you remove the packaging and the old unit, and where does the old unit go?
  • Do you run a leak check and show me the result before you leave?
  • Does your warranty cover a leak at a connection you made?

Red flags

  • A gas connection done without a leak test or without a licensed gas trade
  • A dryer vent that is crushed, too long or not rated for a dryer
  • Ignoring the clearance and airflow space the manufacturer requires
  • No leak check or level check before they leave
  • Adding a charge at the door for a connection that was in the written quote

What you can do yourself

You can unpack the unit, clear the space and move it with a helper if it is safe to lift. Read the install guide first and keep the box until the unit runs. Do not connect gas, change an outlet or work inside a wall; call a pro for any gas, electrical or drain connection, and for any built-in unit that must be anchored.

Licenses and permits

Installing a standalone appliance often needs no trade license, but gas, electrical and drain connections commonly do, and some hookups need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you hire or do any of this work yourself.

Appliance installation questions

Can you install an appliance I bought somewhere else?

Usually yes, if the install guide and the space allow it. Bring the model number and the manufacturer's instructions so the pro can check them before the visit.

Who takes away my old appliance?

Some pros remove the old unit as part of the job and some do not. Say in your request whether you want removal, so it appears in the quote.

How does infinibell work?

You describe the job and pick the pros you want by name. Only the pros you pick get your request, and your contact details go only to a pro you connect with. It is free for customers.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

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  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

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