Washer and dryer installation: what to know

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

What washer and dryer installation is

Washer and dryer installation positions the machines, connects the hoses, drain and power, and vents the dryer. A gas dryer also needs a gas connection, which is commonly left to a licensed gas trade. People book it when they buy a new laundry pair, move into a home with a laundry hookup, or need a stacked or pedestal set up.

Signs you need it

  • You bought a new washer or dryer and the laundry room has existing hookups that must be matched
  • The dryer is gas and needs a gas line, a shutoff valve and a leak check
  • The dryer needs a vent run to the outside that does not exist yet
  • A stacked or pedestal set needs a kit and secure mounting
  • The washer has no drain standpipe or the drain is in the wrong place
  • The power outlet for the dryer does not match the model's plug or voltage

What the pro does

  • Check the install guide and the outlet, water, drain, vent and gas connections against the models
  • Remove shipping bolts and transit brackets from the washer, then position both units and level them
  • Connect the water inlet hoses, the drain standpipe and hose, and check for leaks
  • Install the dryer vent with rigid or approved duct, and run it to the outside as short and straight as the install guide allows
  • Connect the dryer to power or to a gas line, with the gas work done by a licensed gas trade where one is required
  • Run a full cycle on both machines and check the drum, the drain, the vent and every connection

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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

  • Electric versus gas dryer, since gas connection work often needs a licensed gas trade
  • Whether the laundry room has existing water, drain and vent connections, or new runs are needed
  • Length and routing of the dryer vent, and the duct material
  • Stacking kit or pedestal, if one is used
  • Whether the outlet needs to be changed or added by a licensed electrician
  • Removal and disposal of the old washer and dryer

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each connection the install covers, such as water, drain, vent, power and gas
  • Vent length, duct material and routing, and whether it runs to the outside
  • Hoses, valves, drain fittings and stacking kits, and who supplies them
  • Which licensed trade does the gas or electrical work
  • Warranty on the installation, separate from the appliance warranty

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you check the install guide and the connections before the visit?
  • Is the dryer vent run to the outside, and what material do you use?
  • Do you connect a gas dryer yourselves, or do you bring in a licensed gas trade?
  • Will you run a full cycle on both machines and check for leaks?
  • Do you use new supply hoses with burst protection?
  • Will you remove the old washer and dryer?
  • Does your warranty cover a leak at a hose or drain connection you made?

Red flags

  • A dryer vent that runs into the wall, the attic or a crawl space instead of outside
  • Flexible plastic or foil vent duct used for the dryer run
  • A gas dryer connected without a leak check
  • Water hoses left without a leak check before the pro leaves
  • A washer installed without leveling or without the transit bolts removed

What you can do yourself

You can clear the space, remove the packaging and shipping bolts once you have read the install guide, and move the machines with a helper if they are safe to lift. Keep the transit bolts for a future move. Do not connect a gas line, change an outlet or cut into a wall for a vent; call a pro for any gas, electrical, vent or drain connection.

Licenses and permits

Installing a washer and dryer often needs no trade license for a simple plug-in and hose connection, but a gas connection often needs a licensed gas trade, an electrical change can need a licensed electrician, and a permit can apply to vent work. Check with your state or local licensing agency and building department before you start.

Washer and dryer installation questions

Can I use a plastic vent hose for my dryer?

Use the duct material the install guide and local rules allow. Many guides call for rigid or approved metal duct and not flexible plastic or foil, which can trap lint and create a fire risk.

How long does a laundry install take?

It depends on whether the hookups are in place and how long the vent run is. A simple swap on existing lines is short. A new vent or gas line takes longer. Ask the pro to describe the visit before booking.

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.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  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.

More appliances guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request washer and dryer installation