How much does it cost to install a dishwasher?

There are several benefits to having a dishwasher installed in your home. Using a dishwasher has less of an impact on the environment, using less water and electricity than it would to wash dishes by hand. In fact, it's been proven that you can save up to $40 and 5000 gallons of water per year by using a dishwasher. Dishwashers are also more sanitary, using superheated water and several cycles to wash and disinfect. They can also help reduce clutter in your kitchen; as dishes get dirty, simply load them into the dishwasher, rather than leaving them in the sink or on the counter. Finally, dishwashers save time. Instead of standing over a sink of dirty dishes, you can run the dishwasher while you go about your daily business; this can save you as much as 230 hours per year.

There are numerous factors that can affect the cost of having a dishwasher installed in your home. Whether this is a new installation or a replacement, the location of the appliance, and whether or not it's being built in can impact your final cost, which to most homeowners around $650.

New installation vs replacement

Replacing an existing dishwasher is considerably less expensive than a new installation, because the majority of the work is already done. In most cases, a plumber can hook up a replacement dishwasher for around $45-65, or an hour’s work.

A new installation is going to cost more depending on the type of dishwasher and the placement. If your new dishwasher can fit in the place of a cabinet near the sink, it will be easier to install, and therefore less costly. You need to measure the space and make sure the dishwasher will fit beneath the countertop and in the space provided. You will likely need a plumber, costing $45-$65 an hour to hook up the appliance. Expect this to take about two to three hours if no new pipes must be run, for an installation cost of $90 to $195 in addition to any parts and the dishwasher itself.

If there is no space within the cabinet area, you may need to have one made. This can be done by removing cabinets, planning new cabinetry built around the dishwasher, putting the dishwasher at the end of a cabinet run, or using a portable unit. Keep in mind that any of these scenarios will likely require a plumber for at least three to four hours, for a total installation cost of around $135 to $260, plus any additional pipes or hoses.

Types of dishwashers

There are several styles of dishwashers:

• Built-in styles ($300-$900) are very common, they fit under the countertop in a space that would normally house cabinets. They are typically adjacent to the sink for ease of plumbing.
• Portable dishwashers ($540-$630) can be used if you do not want to lose cabinets and have no other place for it. Portable dishwashers are on wheels and can be rolled from your storage pantry to your sink. They are plugged into a wall outlet and the hose is attached to the faucet. This is a great option if you don't have space in your bank of cabinets, but do have storage in an adjacent pantry or closet. When you need to do the dishes, roll out the portable dishwasher, load it, hook it up and run it. Some designs also have butcher block tops to increase functionality.

Portable dishwashers are particularly good for older homes that do not have space without a full kitchen remodel to fit a dishwasher in a normal position.

• Countertop dishwashers ($230-$370) are for smaller kitchens, such as in an apartment or condo where there just isn't room for a traditional dishwasher. This small dishwasher will hold up to 6 place settings. They come with different settings, and in a variety of finishes. Quick hookups to the kitchen faucet make this dishwasher easy and versatile.

A few of the more popular brands of dishwasher include:

Labor

An electrician may be required if there is any rewiring or installing of any outlets ($120 per grounded outlet) or connections. Typical costs for an electrician are $65-$85 per hour and the electrical installation should not take more than a couple of hours.

A plumber may be required if drain lines ² need to be rerouted or new plumbing connections need to be made. Typical costs for a plumber are $45-$65 per hour. The plumbing may take several hours; it depends on whether you are working with existing lines from an old dishwasher or the plumber needs to run completely new lines ($3-$10 per linear foot).

In some cases, you will need to make adjustments to your cabinetry. The new dishwasher may not fit exactly like the old one did, so you may need to trim it out differently. You may need to make the opening larger, requiring the services of a carpenter at a rate $70 per hour, with most jobs taking 1 to 2 hours.

Replacement installations take about 1 hour, while a new installation may take three to four.

Additional labor considerations

• Need to change the cabinetry for a better fit; a carpenter costs $70/hour. To remove or change the size of a cabinet could take 2-3 hours.
• Need to install or change the dishwasher valve; a plumber costs $45-$65/hour. The new valve will cost $15-$35 plus one hour of plumbing for a total of $60-$100.
• Need to install new drain pipe; a plumber will cost $45-$65/hour, while plumbing lines cost about $3-$10 per linear foot; total cost could be $75-$165.
• Need to install new plumbing from scratch. Standard kitchen plumbing will take about 60 hours and will cost $2,700-$3,900.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Drip Pan Installation

Drip pans ($15-$30) are exactly what they sound like: pans that go beneath dishwashers to catch drips. These can be considered a safety precaution against the possibility of water damage in the future due to drips.

Installing the drip pan is easy as it just sits about 1" back from the toe kick; measure and then set in place. A bead of epoxy ³ is placed underneath the pan before it is screwed or taped to the floor

Air Gap

An air gap ($10-$30) prevents any wastewater from washing back and contaminating clean water. This is a relatively simple procedure but best done before you install the new dishwasher. Many times there is a spot for an air gap on your sink. Typically, they are in the upper right corner next to the sprayer. Not all dishwashers require this; consult the manual to be sure.

Additional considerations and costs

Removal of old Dishwasher

There are a few options for removal of an old dishwasher.

• If it still runs, donate it to Goodwill or some other charity; they will generally pick it up for free
• If you have hired a professional plumber, you can pay to have him dispose of it. The disposal fee would be what your local dump charges for appliances; it could range from $10-$20 or more depending on your location.

Adequate space for your dishwasher

Be exact in your measurements; even ¼-inch off can deter your installation. There are three measurements that are necessary - height, width and depth. If you are replacing a dishwasher, you can measure this to get a new one of the same size; most are standard. If this is a new installation, you may need to have the cabinetry built around it for the best fit.

Securing the dishwasher

Dishwashers need to be mounted either to the countertop or the cabinets to prevent them from sliding or tipping out of the space. Most dishwashers come with a mounting kit that consists of metal brackets ⁴ you can screw or epoxy ³ to the underside of your counter. If you have a solid surface counter, and do not wish to epoxy ³, you can purchase a side mounting kit for $10 to $20 and screw the dishwasher to the cabinets instead.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Built-in: An item of furniture, such as a bookcase or set of cabinets, that is built directly into the structure of the room. Built-ins are therefore customized to the room and not detachable

³ Epoxy: An adhesive, plastic, paint, or other material made from polymers containing epoxide groups. Epoxy is best used for bonding or for creating a protective coating

⁴ Brackets: A support that projects outward from one surface to hold another surface to it, such as attaching a shelf to a wall or piece of furniture. Brackets can also be used to strengthen joins between two materials