(replacement dishwasher installation)
(new dishwasher installation with new plumbing and cabinetry work)
Cost to install a dishwasher varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from kitchen designers in your city.
The average cost of installing a dishwasher is $325 - $450.
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.
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.
There are several styles of dishwashers:
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.
A few of the more popular brands of dishwasher include:
Brand | Type | Cost |
---|---|---|
GE | Built-in 1 | $300 - $800 |
GE | Portable | $500 - $600 |
Danby | Portable | $500 - $700 |
Magic Chef | Countertop | $200 - $400 |
SPT | Countertop | $200 - $300 |
Frigidaire | Portable | $500 - $700 |
Frigidaire | Built-in 1 | $300 - $400 |
Kitchen Aid | Built-in 1 | $800 - $1000 |
Samsung | Built-in 1 | $400 - $600 |
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.
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
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.
There are a few options for removal of an old 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.
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.
To replace a dishwasher, take careful measurements of the existing model. Unscrew it from the countertop, and pull it forward enough to disconnect the power and plumbing. Install the new one by first connecting the power, water, and waste, then pushing it into place and screwing the clips to the counter or cabinets.
Both. First ensure that you have hot and cold pipes running to this location. Make sure the valves are turned to the off positions. Connect a flexible hose to the cold intake on the dishwasher, then connect the other end to the cold valve. Repeat for the hot. Use a pipe wrench to ensure the connections are secure. Turn on the valves and check for leaks.
Garbage disposals are installed by shutting of the water to the area, then disconnecting the P-trap. Install the disposal by connecting it directly to the sink’s waste trap, then install a new P-trap made for disposals directly to the side or bottom of the disposal. If the sink has two drains, you will need a split trap. Connect the trap to the main waste line to complete the installation and plug in the unit.
Dishwasher installation kits typically include the flexible hose to hook up the water supply, as well as the valves, washers, and fittings for a secure fit. Some also include installation clips to secure the dishwasher to the counter or cabinets.
A dishwasher can be installed in minutes if there is already plumbing and electrical supply in place.
Dishwashers are easily installed by hooking up the water supply and waste lines to the nearby plumbing, and plugging the unit it. The appliance is then pushed into place and clips are used to screw it to the counter to cabinets to hold it steady.
Typical costs for installing a new disposal are around $200 for labor, plus the cost of the unit, which run around $100 to $300 for a total of $300 to $500.
Cost to install a dishwasher varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.