How Much Does it Cost to Install or Replace a Dryer Vent?

Cost of Installing an Outside vs. Inside Vent

Most homeowners pay $100 to $300 to install a new unit, including labor and materials. Most dryers vent to the outside, and this costs $150 to $300. Where it's impossible to conveniently vent a dryer to the outside, a pro can instead add an indoor vent at a cost of $100 to $175.

Ideally, even though it's more expensive, an outdoor vent is the first choice as it's suitable for all dryers and ensures that there's no hot and damp air sent back into the house. However, an interior vent lets you vent the dryer without cutting into an exterior wall. Note, however, that interior vents are not compatible with all dryers. 

Dryer Vent Installation Costs by Material

Dryer vent installation costs between $100 and $300, depending on the type of vent and the material you choose. PVC is the most budget-friendly while metal is the most expensive.

PVC

PVC dryer ducts cost $100 to $150. They're economical and easy to install. However, they're not as long-lasting as metal and can become brittle over time and with prolonged heat exposure. Plus, PVC has a maximum heat tolerance of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures higher than this, particularly when combined with constant humidity can cause the PVC to break down quickly. PVC ducts are cheaper up front but will require replacing sooner than other options. 

Plastic

Plastic dryer duct installation costs $150 to $200. Plastic dryer vents have the same drawbacks as PVC in that they're prone to brittleness and breakage with long-term heat and moisture exposure. However, they do last longer than PVC, although not as long as metal. These are a good middle-of-the-road option. 

Metal

Metal dryer vents cost $200 to $300 and are made of lightweight, rigid metal like aluminum or galvanized or stainless steel. These tough, rigid dryer vents are a great option if you need a longer-than-usual vent and want to conceal it, as they can run through walls and under floors. They're also considerably more robust and longer-lasting than PVC or plastic.

Dryer Duct Costs by Type

There are three types of ducts, and how much you'll pay depends on the type of duct you need. While you may prefer one type over another, dispensing on your home's setup and your dryer's location, you may not get a choice. Remember, clothes dryer vents must allow unobstructed and frictionless airflow. 

Slim

Slim dryer ducts cost an average of $150, or between $100 and $200. The price depends on the duct’s length and the installation site’s accessibility. Slim ducts, or flat ducts, are a popular choice for use in tight or compact spaces. Rigid vents are rectangular and wider than they are tall.

Semi-Rigid

Semi-rigid dryer ducts cost an average of $225, or between $200 and $250. These ducts are often aluminum and have straight rigid sections connected by a flexible section to allow you to bend the duct around corners

Rigid

Rigid dryer ducts typically cost $275, or between $250 and $300. This is the only duct type allowed for concealed installations. Below joints are necessary to connect sections of rigid duct for maneuvering around corners. Pros can install and conceal them beneath floors, walls, and ceilings, or install them unconcealed. It's the most durable type of dryer duct and is commonly made from galvanized or stainless steel.

Dryer Vent Costs per Linear Foot

Per linear foot, dryer vents cost between $12.50 and $15 to install, all-in. A standard 8-foot hose costs $100 to $120 while a 35-foot hose (the maximum permissible length) costs $280 to $300. The most efficient duct installation requires the shortest possible length of straight tubing. So, if the 8-foot option isn't long enough, consider a 12-foot duct at $130 to $150 or a 20-foot duct at $200 to $220 before you jump to 35 feet.

Labor Prices to Install Dryer Vents

In most cases, a professional carpenter can install a dryer vent for $20 to $35 per hour. Typical projects can take two to four hours for a total labor charge of $40 to $140.

The exact price will depend on the exterior material of your home. Wood-framed homes with vinyl or metal siding will cost less to cut into than those with stucco or log exteriors. In most cases, your contractor can handle the job from start to finish. If you must hire a specialty contractor to cut or repair the opening in your home’s exterior, they will charge separately.

The location of your dryer unit also helps decide the project price. Installations close to exterior walls are usually quicker and less expensive to complete since they need less time and less piping.

Dryer Vent Costs by Location

The final price of your dryer vent installation varies based on where the vent must travel. Hollow walls and those made of lighter materials cost less than running a vent through solid walls, floors, and roof spaces.

Wall

A standard wall installation costs between $100 and $300. However, if the contractor has to cut a hole through concrete or brick, costs will increase by $50 to $150 per hole. 

Basement, Slab, or Crawl Space

When the ductwork can run smoothly from the back of the dryer and between floor joists to the outside wall without hitting any other piping, expect your project to cost between $150 and $300. If you must open a wall in order to run ductwork through the floor and to the outside of the house, the price can range from $500 to $1,000, including any necessary wall repairs.

When running ductwork through unheated square footage, moisture may condense before it has a chance to exit the home. In cooler climates, homeowners may incur more fees to insulate the hose. For this reason, you should consult a professional before you install a unit through basements, foundations, or crawl spaces.

Roof

Generally, running piping through a roof is both cost-prohibitive and functionally undesirable. When a pro needs more time and materials to run the ductwork further and/or through insulated attic spaces, project price increases. Furthermore, it is more difficult for a dryer to push air vertically. The lack of ventilation can cause clothes to dry more slowly or not at all. In most cases, an exterior wall is closer and easier to access than the roof.

Vent & Duct Replacement Costs

Replacement materials will run between $10 and $30. If you choose to hire a professional, expect to pay $20 to $35 per hour for labor. Most pros also charge a minimum service fee equivalent to one to two hours of labor.

Unless you are moving the location of the exterior vent, the overall project will cost less because your pro will not need to cut into the exterior of your home. If your home has a warranty, it may cover replacement costs.

Price of Rerouting Vents

When moving or reinstalling your dryer during renovations or when upgrading your washer and dryer, you may incur some added charges on top of the standard $80 to $200 project price. The cost to install an electrical outlet could run you an additional $200 or more. If necessary, the rate to install a new gas line runs between $200 and $800.

DIY vs. Hiring a Handyperson

Most handy homeowners can handle replacing a hose on their own. However, since improper installation can be a fire hazard, hire an experienced venting professional to take care of the installation or replacement.

Average Vent Kit Costs

Depending on where you buy them, standard kits range in price from $10 to $25 each and include a transition duct, clamps, wall sleeve, and outside vent. Expect to pay $12 to $30 for an indoor kit that includes a transition duct, clamps, and an indoor vent/lint trap. 

Homeowners with extensive DIY experience may be able to install on their own using one of these kits. However, improperly-vented dryers can experience lint buildup and cause fire hazards. For that reason, inexperienced homeowners should consider hiring a pro.

FAQs

Which is best for my dryer duct: rigid metal vs. semi-rigid galvanized piping?

Rigid metal is the only suitable material for the piping that runs inside walls, floors, or other areas where the duct is not fully visible. Aluminum or galvanized steel material is smooth and prevents lint buildup.

You can use semi-rigid aluminum hose for transitional locations that are easy to access. However, you should not use flexible galvanized or vinyl piping because it clogs easily, posing a fire hazard.

Where do you place a dryer vent in a tight laundry room or kitchen or bathroom?

In tight spaces, you can install what's known as a slim or periscope duct. Its wide, rectangular shape allows you to push the dryer close to the wall, and it can install vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Or, if your building code allows it, your pro may be able to surface mount ductwork to the wall.

How do I know if my new dryer vent is to code?

Professional installers will be familiar with local code and current safety standards. You can also look for products certified by a national testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Should I factor in the cost of adding replacement drywall, concrete or roofing into my budget?

Most installations will not require other repairs or modifications. If you must cover the cost of repairing a roof, the price of replacing drywall, or foundation repairs, your project rate could reach the higher end of the $1,000 range. 

How much do dryer vent repairs cost?

Like the costs of other home appliance repair jobs, it is sometimes less expensive to replace faulty equipment than to repair it. If you have clogged ductwork, it may be easier to install a new duct than to clean it. If that is the case, most pros will remove the old material at no charge. Just be sure to check with them first. 

How much does it cost to clean a dryer vent, and how often should you do it?

Costs to clean a dryer vent average $130. Projects can range from $95 to $165 but can be as little as $70 or as much as $280. Basic dryer vent maintenance includes a yearly inspection and cleaning to reduce the risk of fire. Instead of calling a handyperson to perform the cleaning, consider hiring a certified dryer exhaust technician who can not only remove existing clogs, but can also help prevent new ones.