How Much Does Dryer Vent Installation Cost in 2025?

Average Dryer Vent Installation Cost

Dryer Vent Installation Cost Factors

Several important pricing factors can impact how much your dryer vent installation costs, including the material and type of dryer vent, as well as whether it vents to the outside or inside of your home. 

Interior vs. Exterior

Most homeowners pay $100 to $300 to install a new dryer vent, including labor and materials. Most dryers vent to the outside, costing $150 to $300. Where it's impossible to conveniently vent a dryer to the outside, a pro can add an indoor vent for $100 to $175 instead. If you are adding a clothes dryer to your home for the first time, include the price of adding a vent in your total dryer installation cost. 

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

Costs by Material

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

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dryer ducts cost $100 to $150. They're generally economical and easy to install, but they're not as long-lasting as metal and can become brittle over time and with prolonged heat exposure. 

PVC has a maximum heat tolerance of 140°F. Temperatures higher than this, particularly when combined with constant humidity, can cause the PVC to break down quickly, possibly leading to untimely dryer repair costs. PVC ducts are cheaper upfront but require replacing sooner than other options. 

Plastic

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

Metal

Metal dryer vent replacement costs $200 to $300. These dryer ducts are made of lightweight, rigid metal like aluminum, galvanized steel, 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.

Type

The three main types of dryer ducts are slim, semi-rigid, and rigid. The cost depends on the type of dryer vent you need. While you may prefer one type over another, depending 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 to work properly. 

Slim

Slim dryer ducts cost an average of $150, or between $100 and $200. The price depends on the duct’s length and accessibility of the installation site. 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 vent installation costs 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 around $275, or between $250 and $300. This is the only duct type allowed for concealed installations. Elbow joints are necessary to connect sections of rigid duct for maneuvering around corners. Pros can install and conceal them beneath floors, behind walls, and above ceilings, as well as install them unconcealed. Rigid vents are the most durable type of dryer duct and are commonly made from galvanized or stainless steel.

Cost per Linear Foot

Dryer vent installation costs between $12.50 and $15 per linear foot, all-in. A standard eight-foot hose costs between $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. If the eight-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.

Shorter ductwork also saves you money in the long run, reducing your annual dryer vent cleaning cost. It also creates fewer spaces where dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate to form clogs and potential fire hazards. 

Additional Dryer Vent Installation Costs

Along with the cost of the ductwork itself based on type and material, several other factors influence your total dryer vent installation cost estimate. 

Labor

A local dryer vent pro can install a dryer vent for around $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 depends on your home's exterior material if you vent to the outside. Wood-framed homes with vinyl or metal siding 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.

Cost by Location in the Home

The location of your clothes dryer also helps decide the project price. Installations near exterior walls are usually quicker and less expensive since they need less time and less piping. 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 to run ductwork through the floor and to the outside of the house, the price can jump up to between $500 and $1,000, including any necessary wall repairs.

When running ductwork through unheated square footage, moisture may condense before it can exit the home. In cooler climates, homeowners may incur more fees to insulate the hose.

Roof

Generally, running piping through a roof is both cost-prohibitive and functionally undesirable. The project price increases substantially when a pro needs more time and materials to run the ductwork further or through insulated attic spaces. 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. An exterior wall is usually closer and easier to access than the roof.

Vent and Duct Replacement Costs

When estimating dryer vent replacement costs, expect basic materials to run between $10 and $30. Hiring a professional typically costs $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 dryer vent, the overall project costs less because your contractor will not need to cut into the exterior of your home. Your home warranty may also cover some replacement costs.

Other Repairs

Most dryer vent installations don’t require much or any other repairs or modifications, but you may need to consider their added cost in some scenarios. There may be instances where you’ll need to budget for the cost of repairing a roof, the price of replacing drywall, or foundation repairs. In those cases, your project rate could quickly reach the higher end of the $1,000 range. 

Moving or reinstalling your dryer during renovations or upgrading your washer and dryer may incur some added charges. The cost to install an electrical outlet could run you an additional $230. If necessary, the rate to install a new gas line runs between $270 and $930.

Dryer Vent Replacement vs. Repair

In situations where the damage is minor and localized, the cost to repair a dryer vent may be minimal. However, In many other circumstances, replacing it can be less expensive than repairing it. If you have clogged or broken ductwork, it may be easier to install a new dryer duct rather than to try and fix it. Ask your pro for recommendations based on your specific circumstances. 

Budgeting for Dryer Vent Installation

When it comes time to replace an old dryer vent or install a brand-new dryer duct, there are effective strategies to keep your total costs in check: 

• Get detailed estimates from at least three local pros to compare pricing and levels of service.

• Weigh the pros and cons of different types of dryer vents made from different materials, considering their upfront cost and expected longevity.

• Pay for annual inspections and dryer vent cleaning to identify potential damage and minimize the risk of clogged ducts.

• Ask your contractor about guarantees or warranties on their work if the dryer duct requires repairs in the future.

• Choose the shortest, simplest route for your dryer vent to reach outside your home.

• Opt for an exterior-venting dryer duct whenever possible.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.