Typically, clothes dryers need to be vented to the outdoors, to remove the moist air dryers create as they dry clothes. Installing a new laundry room requires creating a dryer exhaust vent through the roof or an outside wall. Do-it-yourself dryer vent installation is possible with DIY experience, but professional installation is also a relatively inexpensive option.
Typical costs:
Installing a new dryer vent in a wall usually costs $100-$300 depending on how far the tubing needs to run and whether an HVAC contractor or handyman is doing the work.
Installing a new dryer vent can run $300-$700 in some scenarios where the work is more complicated. For example, if the vent is in a condo and the vent needs to run to the roof, or if an existing vent needs to be relocated.
Laundry rooms against exterior walls translate into cheaper dryer vent installation, while laundry rooms further away from exterior walls require a more labor-intensive and expensive installation.
Dryer vent installation can be a DIY project[1] ; expect to pay about $60 for materials, including special tools.
Installing a new dryer vent should include creating an opening for the dryer vent in an exterior wall or the roof, connecting the vent to the dryer, and connecting the outdoor vent at the exterior wall or roof, which may involve threading the vent through existing ductwork.
Plastic or aluminum vents are not recommended because of fire, according to This Old House[2] .
Additional costs:
The maximum length for dryer vents vary by local code. In Seattle, for example, dryer vents should not exceed 35 feet[3] .
Yearly cleaning of the vent, to remove lint buildup and reduce the risk of fire, is highly recommended. Dryer vent cleaning usually runs $100-$200, but it can be a DIY Project[4] .
Discounts:
Electric (not gas) dryers can be vented to the inside of a home with an indoor dryer vent kit, but because of the high water content of the exhaust, venting dryers into a basement or other small, enclosed spaces can create serious and expensive mold problems, according to the North Dakota State University Agriculture Commission[5] .
No-vent dryers are available, also eliminating the need for vent installation, but they take longer (sometimes hours) to dry clothes.
Shopping for dryer vent installation:
HVAC companies, as well as plumbers, can install dryer vents, but many dryer duct cleaning firms and handymen also offer this service.
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
We needed a little under 10 feet of solid ducting,with several bends to go around heating & cooling ducts. This was replacing the dangerous flexible aluminum ducting was installed by our builder. Price included materials and labor. We used Dryer Vent Wizard of Oakland County.
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.
CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]