Dryer vent installation: what to know

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

What dryer vent installation is

Dryer vent installation puts in or reroutes the duct that carries moist air from the dryer to the outside. The work includes cutting an exterior opening, fitting rigid or semi-rigid ducting, and sealing it properly so moist air and lint stay out of the house.

Signs you need it

  • You are installing a dryer in a new location, or moving the dryer to a different room.
  • The existing vent is flexible plastic or foil, runs a long distance or has many bends.
  • The vent ends in the crawl space, the attic or the wall, instead of going outside.
  • Moisture collects on the walls, ceiling or floor near the dryer, or the laundry room feels damp.
  • Lint builds up quickly around the vent opening, or the vent hood is damaged or missing.
  • The dryer is a gas model and the vent is changing, which affects the connection and the venting path.

What the pro does

  • Choose the exterior opening location and check clearances from windows, doors, decks and the ground.
  • Cut the opening through the wall or roof, install the exterior hood with a backdraft damper, and seal the penetration.
  • Run rigid or semi-rigid metal duct from the dryer to the hood, using as few bends and as short a run as possible.
  • Connect the dryer with a short, approved transition duct, and seal the joints with foil-backed tape or mastic.
  • Check the damper opens and closes freely and that airflow is strong at the hood.
  • Clean the work area and show the homeowner how to clean the lint filter and check the vent.

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Length of the run and the number of bends, since each bend adds fittings and reduces airflow.
  • Exterior wall or roof material, such as siding, brick, stone or roof shingles, which changes how the opening is cut and sealed.
  • Access to the exterior location, including height and the distance from the dryer.
  • Whether the run passes through an attic, a crawl space or a multi-story path.
  • Whether a new electrical outlet or a gas line change is needed for the dryer's new spot.
  • Hood type and whether a damper or screen is included.
  • Patching or painting needed around the exterior opening after the work.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The exterior opening location, the wall material and the sealing method.
  • The vent duct material, diameter, length and the number of bends.
  • The exterior hood model and whether it includes a backdraft damper.
  • Connection and sealing materials, listed by item.
  • Any changes to the gas line, electrical outlet or dryer connection, listed separately.
  • Warranty on the materials and the work, and who handles the exterior patch.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What duct material do you use, and will it be rigid or semi-rigid metal?
  • How many bends will the run have, and how long is it?
  • Will the exterior hood have a backdraft damper, and where will it be placed?
  • How will you seal the wall or roof opening, and will the seal be inspected?
  • Will you check the airflow at the exterior hood after the install?
  • Who handles the exterior patch and paint if the wall is damaged?
  • Do I need a permit for this work, and who pulls it?

Red flags

  • The pro uses flexible plastic or foil duct for the whole run without explaining the fire and lint risk.
  • The pro places the hood where it will blow moist air onto a window, a deck or a neighbor's property.
  • The pro cannot explain the bends in the run or the airflow at the hood.
  • The quote does not list the exterior hood, the damper or the sealing of the opening.

What you can do yourself

Clear the laundry area, move the dryer out of the way, and tell the installer where you want the vent to exit. Keep the dryer disconnected until the installer is done and the vent is sealed. Cutting the exterior opening, fitting the vent duct and sealing the penetration belong to a licensed contractor.

Licenses and permits

Dryer vent installation is commonly done by licensed contractors, and cutting an exterior opening may need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the requirements that apply to your installation.

Dryer vent installation questions

Why does the vent need to be rigid metal?

Rigid or semi-rigid metal resists crushing and lint buildup better than plastic or thin foil flexible duct. It keeps the airflow strong and reduces the fire risk from lint.

Can the vent run through the attic?

A dryer vent should go directly to the outside. Venting into the attic, crawl space or wall traps moisture and lint and can cause damage and fire risk.

How far can a dryer vent run?

The safe length depends on the dryer and the number of bends. Each bend reduces the airflow. A technician checks the run length and the bends against the dryer's requirements before the install.

Can I install a dryer vent myself?

Cutting the exterior opening and running the duct can be difficult and risky. A licensed contractor can do it safely and seal it properly.

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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