Hiring the right pro to install your dryer vent is key to avoiding a lifetime of wet clothes and high energy bills
Your family’s clothes dryer may be the hardest-working appliance in your home, but chances are you don’t give a lot of thought to your dryer vent. That is, not until you need a new one. Whether you’re looking to relocate your machine to a different part of the house, or you’re buying a property where the ductwork has not yet been installed, you’ll need to know which local contractor to hire to install your dryer vents.
Luckily, there are a few different types of pros who install dryer vents, so you have a few options for success.
Why Proper Dryer Vent Installation Matters
If you need a new dryer vent, you might be wondering why you would hire a professional rather than just DIYing it. While it’s by no means impossible for you to take on the project yourself, unless you have experience, you may do better to call in the experts. Here’s why:
Loose or improperly installed dryer vents can open your home to pests, from birds to rodents to insects.
Improperly installed dryer vents can reduce energy efficiency, leaving you with damp and mildewed clothes and high energy bills.
Dryer vents can pose a significant fire risk if they aren’t set up properly, as this can make your machine work harder.
Improperly installed dryer vents can leak, making the machine work less effectively and potentially leading to the growth of mold, mildew, and other contaminants.
Badly installed or poorly positioned vents and ductwork can be difficult to clean, increasing the risk of hazardous and often costly clogs.
The Best Pros To Install Dryer Vents
When it comes time to hire a pro to install your dryer vent, you actually have several options, and much depends on your specific needs.
General Contractors
In most cases, a general contractor will be your best bet for a dryer vent installation. They’ll be able to install the ductwork, drill through the interior and exterior walls as needed, and secure and insulate the vent.
In most cases, you can expect a contractor to complete the job in around two to four hours. Having a pro install a dryer vent typically costs anywhere from $40 at the low end to as much as $1,000 if the contractor must thread the ductwork through multiple walls.
HVAC Installers
In addition to general contractors, local HVAC installers and repair people can also install dryer vents successfully. After all, they’re accustomed to working with the ductwork in your home. But you’ll want to ensure that your pro has experience with installing dryer vents, as this is not generally a major focus of HVAC companies.
Be sure to select a pro you trust, ideally one you’ve worked with before, who will be prepared to tell you if the job is outside their particular skill set.
Roofers
Hiring a roofer for a dryer vent installation might seem a bit strange. However, there are some occasions when you might need or want to route your ductwork through the roof of your home.
In that case, you should hire a roofer either to work with your contractor or to install the ductwork themselves. A roofing professional, for instance, can ensure that your dryer vent is secure, sealed, and working properly without damaging your shingles or your roof.
