Thinking of Buying a New Dishwasher? This Is How Much Installation Will Cost

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Average Labor Cost

Hiring a good qualified plumber from a licensed company would cost you about $100 per hour, according to Kelly Russum, licensed plumber and the owner of KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing. In most cases, says Russum, a plumber can get the job done within 1.5 to 2 hours.

Cost Factors

Cost of the Dishwasher

The cost of the dishwasher unit is one of the most significant factors in determining overall dishwasher installation cost. 

Dishwashers cost an average of $800 for the unit only. Dishwashers start at around $300 for basic-color (white, black, or silver) units with few features and average sound ratings.

They range up to around $1,500 for high-end models with several color choices, ultra-quiet sound ratings, and special features like extra racks and smart home technology integration.

Installation Supplies

An installation kit for a dishwasher costs $20 to $40.

Whether you install your own dishwasher or hire a professional, you must purchase an installation kit with the dishwasher. The kit includes a variety of parts capable of hooking the dishwasher to most plumbing pipes.

Removal and Disposal

“Plan to add around $120 if you need help with removing and disposing of the old unit,” Russum says. “If an old dishwasher is still in place, installing a new one takes a bit longer, since the plumber needs an extra hour or so to handle the removal first.”

Upgrade Hookups

Upgrading hookups can add another $150 to $300 to the total cost of installation, Russum says.

“If your new dishwasher has different hookup requirements, it may require modifying plumbing or electrical connections.”

He adds that if your dishwasher was installed 15 years ago, expect possible upgrades to hookups—like plumbing connections or electrical outlets—to fit modern standards and requirements. Small modifications are common, especially for older setups.

Install Outlet

Installing an electrical outlet receptacle will cost $75 to $100 in an existing box with a viable circuit. 

A dishwasher requires a dedicated 120V electrical supply that is properly grounded, with a fuse or breaker rated 15 or 20 amps. An electrician may cost up to $500 to run a new dedicated circuit.

Replacing a Dishwasher vs. New Installation

Replacing a dishwasher is relatively simple, fast, and inexpensive, according to Russum. 

“If necessary plumbing is already in place, and you’ve bought a new unit and removed the old one, installing the new dishwasher should take no more than two hours,” he says. “This means that the total labor cost for installing a new dishwasher is around $200 to $250.”

A new dishwasher installation will always be more expensive than a replacement. Along with new plumbing and electrical lines, you may also need to remove and replace kitchen base cabinets, open up and later repair walls, and fix or install new kitchen flooring.

DIY vs. Professional Dishwasher Installation

You can install the dishwasher yourself without hiring a pro if your previous dishwasher was the same size and the new dishwasher doesn’t require modifying plumbing or electrical outlets.

By installing your own dishwasher, you pay for the dishwasher itself ($300 to $1,500) and for a $20 to $40 installation kit. For tools, you will need a power drill, a hole saw, measuring tape, a Phillips screwdriver, a flat screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, pliers, and a bubble level.

• Remove dishwasher yourself: Uninstall the dishwasher by yourself, before the plumber arrives to install the new dishwasher. “You can also save around $120 if you remove your old dishwasher and dispose of it yourself,” Russum says.
• Install plumbing yourself: For a new dishwasher, an experienced DIYer can install their own plumbing using PEX pipes. If your home has copper pipes, you may attach the PEX pipes to the copper pipes. PEX supplies to extend plumbing up to 8 feet is $35 to $50.
• Install outlet yourself: An experienced DIYer can install a dedicated electrical circuit extending from the electrical service panel to the dishwasher location. Supplies are relatively inexpensive ($1 per foot of NM electrical cable, $10 for a 20-amp circuit breaker, and $10 for an electrical receptacle and electrical box). So, a 25-foot-long circuit can cost you less than $50, as long as you are comfortable with installing a new circuit breaker.

Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

With proper maintenance, a dishwasher can be expected to last nearly a decade. Ensure that your dishwasher lasts its full lifespan and beyond, with these tips from Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General:

Leave the Door Open

Leave the dishwasher door open for at least an hour after running a cycle. Keeping the door shut creates a warm, damp environment that allows mold to develop. Leaving the door open also avoids unpleasant smells developing. 

“If you’re looking to combat any existing smells, sprinkling some bicarbonate of soda inside it before running a cycle should do the trick,” Palmer-Smith says.

Clean the Filter

Clean the filter if you’re finding that your dishes are not coming out clean. Bad smells, dirty dishes, and gurgling noises are other signs of a clogged filter.

“To clean the filter, simply remove it from the appliance, empty it, rinse it off and then scrub with an old toothbrush,” Palmer-Smith says.

Avoid Using Bleach on Stainless Steel

To avoid damaging your stainless-steel dishwasher, use a bleach-free detergent. Never use abrasives on stainless steel dishwasher exteriors or liners.

Use Dishwasher Salt

Use dishwasher salt to help soften the water if you have hard water. Without dishwasher salt, hard water will leave a crusty limescale on your filter and could damage the dishwasher mechanism over time.

Deep-Clean With Vinegar

Running your dishwasher with white vinegar is a great way to give it a deep clean. Fill a small cup with the vinegar and place it in the top rack. Run the empty dishwasher on a hot cycle to allow the vinegar to work. 

“Repeating this every three to four months can help you maintain a well-working appliance and minimize dishwasher repairs,” Palmer-Smith says.