Who Installs Dryer Vents? Here’s Who to Call

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 hire a local dryer repair specialist to install your dryer vents. Here’s why.

Who Can Install a Dryer Vent?

The type of pro a homeowner should hire to install a dryer vent depends on the details of the project. For example, if a vent is on the roof, homeowners should hire a roofer.

Another factor to consider is project scope. If a homeowner is installing a washer and dryer with hookups and needs a dryer vent installed, it makes sense to hire a plumber to do everything versus multiple pros.

But a great place to always start is a local dryer repair service. They can determine whether the job is a good fit for them and give you an installation quote.

General Contractors

You can hire a general contractor 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 Technicians

HVAC technicians can also install dryer vents. 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.

Plumbers

It may surprise you to learn that plumbers can install a dryer vent. Professional plumbers in your area can install a washer and dryer system, and some pros offer vent installation as part of their service package. However, you should ensure the plumbing pro has experience installing dryer vents before hiring them.

Handyperson

Perhaps you have a go-to local handyperson that you trust with basic home projects. If so, you're in luck. A skilled handyperson should be capable of installing your dryer vent, especially if it's a simple installation—like if the dryer sits on an exterior wall and the vent runs directly outside. Just ask them if they have previous experience with dryer vent installation. If not, you don't want to be the first household they test this skill on. 

Can I Install a Dryer Vent Myself?

While it’s by no means impossible to take on the project yourself, you may do better to call in the experts to install your dryer vent if you lack experience. If you install it yourself, you’ll need to determine the path of the ventilation duct, purchase the correct type of tubing, and open holes in the exterior walls of your home. Since installing a dryer vent is a difficult DIY project, it’s safer to hire a pro than risk damaging your home.

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. Here’s why proper dryer vent installation is important:

• 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.

Questions to Ask Pros About Dryer Vents Before Hiring

You have a right to understand the process of professional dryer vent installation at your home. Some basic questions that homeowners should ask a pro before hiring them include:

• What’s your vent cleaning process?

• How much will this job cost in total?

• How long will it take to clean the vent?

• Do you have liability insurance?

• Have you done this type of work before?

• How long have you been in business?

• Are you and your technicians licensed?