Dishwasher installation costs

Installing a dishwasher

If you just started your journey into adulthood, moved into a house, and now have several appliances, including a dishwasher, installation costs might arise. This is based on the fact that you want to prepare yourself and plan your budget accordingly. If you’re going to install a dishwasher in your kitchen or replace an existing one with an upgraded version but are unaware of how much it will cost you, there are a few things that you need to bear in mind.

The entire cost of installation is determined by the type of dishwasher you select for your house, whether any further kitchen adjustments are required to fit your new dishwasher and whether you opt for expert installation. Moreover, depending on your geographical location, the cost could vary. Now that you know that read on to find out all you need to know about dishwasher installation costs.

What is a dishwasher?

A dishwasher is a kitchen appliance that automatically cleans your dirty dishes. You do not have to scrub or wash them as it will do everything for you. All you have to do is acquaint yourself with how the appliance works, load your dirty dishes, turn it on, then run a wash cycle. Once you do that, you can leave the rest to your machine.

Different types of dishwashers

It is essential to know the different types of dishwashers available because this influences the installation costs. The different types of dishwashers include:

Built-in dishwashers

A built-in dishwasher is inserted inside your cabinet, making it ideal if you have a permanent house. It comes with no sides or tops like the other dishwashers. Its most beneficial point is that it does not make sounds while washing your dishes because it stays surrounded by the cabinet.

Countertop dishwashers

A countertop dishwasher is a compact dishwasher that rests on your kitchen counter or any other surface in your kitchen that provides easy access to the kitchen sink. While it cleans your dishes just as well as a full-size dishwasher, it’s considerably smaller with a low capacity, consumes less energy, and uses less water. Due to its smaller size, it should be your go-to option if you do not have a permanent house or have a small family.

Portable dishwashers

If you do not have a permanent house or you are not familiar with the built-ins, then a portable dishwasher is for you. Their best quality is that you can move them as you so wish. It has the same capacity as the built-in dishwasher.

Drawer dishwashers

A drawer dishwasher is the latest version of the dishwasher. If you want to give your kitchen a modern look, you will love this option as it easily blends with your kitchen drawers and decor. They look like ordinary drawers and also open up like drawers to reveal a dishwasher. You can either buy a single unit drawer system or a two-drawer system, as those are the two types in the market.

Integrated dishwashers

An integrated dishwasher has to be built-in so that it can match the cabinets and drawers in your kitchen. It gives your kitchen a formal look. If you want to conceal your appliance, an integrated dishwasher is for you. Its capacity varies depending on size.

You can either go for a fully integrated or semi-integrated dishwasher. Fully integrated dishwashers will conceal inside your cabinet, but the semi one will not. The semi-integrated dishwasher’s switch pad remains outside the cabinet. However, keep in mind that its installation is more or less permanent, which means that you cannot move with it to your new house.

Cost to buy a new dishwasher

If you want to install a dishwasher, first you have to buy one. Here comes the expected price of some dishwashers:

• Under Cabinet Dishwashers – $800 to $2,600
• Fully Integrated Dishwashers – $500 to $5,500
• Semi-Integrated Dishwashers – $500 to $ 4,500
• Freestanding Dishwashers – $400 to $2,000

When you are ready to buy a new dishwasher, research the energy and water efficiency ratings. This can impact the price in the long run. A high-rated dishwasher will help you to save money with lower water and electricity bills. Most good washing machine and kitchen appliance brands have dishwashers. Do your research to find the best one.

How much does it cost to install a dishwasher?

Installation of a dishwasher is another unavoidable headache. Sometimes people try to do this work on their own and damage their appliances. Therefore, to ease the process and ensure that you do not harm your costly appliance, you can opt to call an expert for this work.

The installation cost depends on the type of dishwasher and the service you choose. Some other factors that matter while deciding the prices are as follows:

• The place you live
• The size of your project
• Whether the dishwasher will fit the allotted space or not
• If there is any extra work for installing the dishwasher

It usually costs about $150 for a simple installation. However, if you own a fully or semi-integrated dishwasher, it will cost approximately $176. You can install a dishwasher in a flatpack kitchen or also have a whole kitchen renovation. To renovate the kitchen, you can do it by yourself or call a handyperson. You will also need a professional to have the benchtop installed. Flatpack kitchens cost about $2,600 to $12,000. A custom one can cost about $35,000 or more.

The installation process costs can be categorised as follows:

• Cost to install a new dishwasher
• Cost to replace a dishwasher
• Cost to install a new dishwasher with modifications

Cost to install a new dishwasher

If you had a dishwasher before and your kitchen has all those setups for using a dishwasher, then the cost will be less. You can buy a dishwasher within the range of $405 to $4,050. However, people typically use about $540 to $1,080 to buy one. You must bear the labour cost. A plumber is needed to install it and connect the water system.

Without an expert plumber, there remains the risk of blocked drains, a pipe burst, and other problems. The labour cost of a plumber can be about $200 to $300. If you need any new fittings, wiring, or other extras, that will cost about $27. It will take roughly 120 minutes (two hours) to complete the work.

Cost to replace a dishwasher

This will cost you a little more. If you want to replace your previous kitchen appliances with a new dishwasher, you have to pay for the labour of removing the previous one. It is necessary to know how the new dishwasher’s system has changed. If there needs any change in your countertop, cabinet, or tapware, the average cost can be around $340.

Moreover, you might want to consider adding a drain camera to your new pipe to detect any drain blockage or other problems quickly. It will cost around $340 minimum and $3,038 maximum depending on the system you choose.

Cost to install a new dishwasher with modifications

Installing a new dishwasher with modifications will cost you more than the previous two. If the dishwasher is new and your kitchen needs improvement to set it, then you have a lot of work to do. You have to call a carpenter to make a cabinet for the machine. This can cost around $351 on average. However, the cost depends on how much renovation is needed.

Then, you will have to find a reliable plumber near you. This involves the most work. The plumber has to connect the pipes and the water systems. The tapware and the hose pipe are also needed to be connected. After connecting, the plumber also needs to detect the risk of leaking taps or pipes. Professional plumbers usually charge about $80 per hour. So, your cost to install a new dishwasher with modification depends on how much time and work it takes.

You will also need an electrician to set the wires and sockets. If you want to install any high voltage outlet for using the dishwasher or any washing machine, you must pay extra bills. An expert electrician usually charges about $115 on average for this job.

Can you install a dishwasher yourself?

If you have a tight budget, you might be gravitating towards DIYing the project. Yes, you can install a dishwasher by yourself, and it will help you to save some money. For doing a job like that, you need to have some knowledge and skills. But again, a professional can do this job more easily and efficiently than you. However, if you are still interested in doing the installation yourself, you must keep the following things in mind:

Cabinet space

The first thing that you need is to find a place to install your dishwasher. Do some research and find the perfect size according to your house and use. If you have minuscule space in your kitchen, you can look for narrower models. According to most, drawer banks are the best location for this. Ensure that you select a cabinet that is closer to the sink so that you can easily cross the water system and waste management line.

Water supply

Hot water systems are a must for dishwashing. The closest it is to the hot water system, the better. You should replace the shut-off valve with a new one which will connect the dishwasher to the hot water system. You may have to drill a hole in the hose to the dishwasher opening.

Drain line

Connecting the hose to connect your dishwasher to the drain under the sink is another important task. The hose is usually connected to an inlet waste disposal. Simple plumbing will do the job as well. Since you do not want to have a blocked drain, the water empties from the sink through a strainer and goes towards the waste line. Do some more research so that you can find a more efficient way of doing this.

Power

Usually, local codes require a dishwasher to be on a separate circuit, which may be connected to the garbage disposal. This depends on the circuit load the dishwasher draws and the size of the wire. It also depends on the circuit breaker. Mostly, a 12-gauge wire runs to a duplex plug protected by a 20 amp circuit breaker and is used for safety. Among all the steps, this is the most critical and risky. So, it’s a suggestion to leave it to the hands of a professional.

Contact a professional to install your dishwasher

Washing machines and dishwashers have become common kitchen appliances in our busy lives. It is elementary to think about doing such a job by yourself, but the reality is that it is a challenging task. A dishwasher is an expensive machine. You need to be careful about the safety of the machine and your health.

Therefore, it is more advisable to call an expert plumber or home renovator to install this. You can easily find a professional plumber at a reasonable fixed price near you. Involving an expert will help you to avoid future problems with the installation. Keep in mind that you do not only need a professional for installing, but you should also contact the experts for any plumbing emergencies.

They have experience in appliance installation and issues. You must know the call-out fees of them. You can also check their star ratings before hiring. Discuss the payment plans and methods with them. They will make your installation process easier and smoother. Seeing how efficient a dishwasher is, stop thinking and buy one to decrease the pressure of household chores.