Relocating your washing machine often requires the expertise of a few pros
Although relocating a washing machine seems like it should be as easy as just finding friends to help you carry it, the actual work required is much more complex. When you are wondering who to hire to relocate a washer and dryer, hiring a washing machine repair company is the best place to start. However, you may need to hire a general contractor, a plumber, and an electrician, too.
Washing machine repair professionals often must possess a wide range of skills. They need to understand appliance repair and installation techniques, but they also may need to diagnose electrical or plumbing issues. Consequently, the repair pro may be willing to move the appliances for you, and hook them up properly.
If the repair person determines that your current appliances have an issue that is not repairable, you will need to relocate your existing appliances to make room for new ones. Your local washer and dryer repair person may be willing to do all of the work for you at one time. If you are wondering what to do with old appliances, the repair company may be able to help with the removal and disposal or recycling process.
It’s important to note that most washing machine repair companies will not have the licenses required to move plumbing hookups or to install a new electrical outlet. If you don’t have the required hookups in the new location, the process of who to hire to relocate a washer and dryer likely needs to involve multiple professionals.
When attempting to relocate the washer and dryer yourself, it is a very difficult job. Tackling it on your own is not a good idea for most people, even those who are handy with basic DIY jobs.
For starters, you have to have a means of moving these heavy appliances around. Each machine often weighs between 150 and 200 pounds.
You will need to be able to connect the appliances to a water source and vent (unless you have a ventless dryer) at the new location. You will also need a power source, either an electrical outlet or a gas line.
If you have these hookups and lines already installed at the new location, you potentially can relocate the washer and dryer yourself with a few friends to help with the moving process.
However, we would never recommend tackling installing a gas line, plumbing lines, or an electrical line and 220v outlet on your own unless you have the proper training. Hire the pros who have the credentials and expertise to do the job safely.
Hiring a local appliance installation company for this job is an option. The installer will have the gear and know-how to move the appliances for you, and to hook them up properly. A typical appliance installation for a washer and dryer usually ranges in cost from $50 to $175, as long as the hookups are in place already.
If you need to install or move electrical, gas, and plumbing lines, though, most installers will not be willing to do this work. Occasionally, you may find an all-in-one appliance installer who has electrical and plumbing skills, but this is rare.
Hiring a local plumber to relocate your washer and dryer may be necessary–even if this is the only work this pro does for you.
Typically, a licensed plumber installs washer and dryer hookups. And, the cost to move washer and dryer hookups, as well as a drain line, can range from $350 to $2,000.
If you need a new natural gas line, or need to move an existing one to power the dryer, a plumber can usually do this work for you. It can cost anywhere from $200 to $5,000, though.
Hiring a local electrician may be necessary when you are wondering who to hire to relocate a washer and dryer. The washer can run from a normal 120v outlet, but the dryer may require a 220v outlet. All-in-one machines often require a 220v outlet, too.
The cost to install a 220v outlet can range from $130 to $320, but it can reach as high as $600 for a complex job. The cost to install a 120v outlet is usually less.
Hiring someone to relocate a washer and dryer will likely require multiple pros, unless you have the necessary hookups and outlets already installed in the new location.
If you want to simplify the job, hiring a local general contractor may be worth considering. The contractor may be able to oversee the entire project for you, including finding a licensed plumber and electrician for you. If you don’t have time to oversee the project, hiring a contractor could be the smart way to go.
The general contractor will most likely be able to install the dryer vent for you–which can cost between $40 and $1,000–as well as move and hook up your appliances.
You may require the help of multiple pros to relocate your washer and dryer.
To start, the washer and dryer repair person can investigate the area where you want to move the appliances, and let you know what needs to be done.
If you have the proper electrical, plumbing, and venting in place, the repair person or appliance installer can move the appliances, and hook them up for you.
Otherwise, you will need to install the items necessary to operate the appliances before you can relocate them. You may need multiple pros to do these jobs, including plumbers, electricians, and general contractors.
Once the water hookup, power outlets, gas lines, and vents are ready, the appliance installer or repair person can move the appliances and connect them.
