What is the Average Cost to Hook Up Electric Dryers?

Dryers

• The major cost of hooking up electric dryers is the cost of the unit itself, with prices that vary by size, capacity and features. In November 2011, a basic 6.5-cubic-foot top-loading dryer can cost as little as $270. It comes in one color, has three operating modes and four temperature settings and a one-year limited warranty.

  A midrange 7.2-cubic foot front loader with steam can run about $600. It is available in three colors and boasts nine drying cycles and five temperature settings. A top-of-the-line 10.4-cubic foot stainless steel model can run more than $2,000. It has eight drying cycles based on moisture and time, an anti-wrinkle option, delicate fabric option, finishing buzzer and indicators showing what items have dried before the entire cycle has completed.

Installation

• The cost of hooking up an electric dryer is generally included in the cost of delivery, as long as the homeowner has the required vents and 220-volt outlet. The Homewyse website puts the average cost at $53 to $71 for the labor. Some distributors, such as Home Depot, offer basic delivery and hookup for free, as long as you buy the required electrical cord from Home Depot. Best Buy charges $70 for basic delivery and hookup, if you buy the dryer cord and venting kit from Best Buy.

Ducts

• If a duct is not available to vent the dryer to the outside, this can cost from $150 to $500 for professional installation, including materials and labor, based on November 2011 prices cited by Fixr. The dryer vent itself with an appropriate weatherproof seal costs about $30. Ductwork runs $28 for 25 feet, with connecting ducts at $25. Creating an opening through an exterior wall is the most expensive part of the process, costing from $20 to $35 per hour for a carpenter, with time depending on the carpenter's rates and the wall's complexity. Using a contractor who specializes in dryer vent work costs more at $57 per hour, but he can complete an average job in about two hours.

Additions

• If the required 220-volt receptacle is not available, an electrician charges from $75 to $250 per hour to install the proper receptacle. Upgrading the electrical panel with a 220-volt circuit, plus the outlet, runs between $300 and $800. Additional unspecified prices include installing a booster fan for vents that must run through attic spaces and roofing or for ducts longer than 40 feet. Professional cleaning of pre-existing ductwork before dryer installation is also recommended, though this cost is additional.