Are you sick of lugging your washing baskets to the basement or to the laundromat? You can make your daily routines easier and even increase your home’s value by adding washer-dryer hookups. While it might seem like a complex project, breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process much more approachable. Here is what it takes to make this addition to your home.
Planning Your Washer Dryer Connections
Before you start breaking down walls, take time mapping out your project. The location you choose for your washer and dryer hookups will determine how complex the installation is and how much it will cost.
Think about areas with existing plumbing, like a bathroom, kitchen, or utility closet. This will save you from additional pipe routing and strategically lower the costs of your install. Most washer-dryer connections require at least 5-6 feet of floor space, so measure your potential area carefully.
The key planning considerations:
- Proximity to water supply lines and drainage
- Adequate electrical capacity (220V for electric dryers)
- Proper ventilation access for dryer exhaust
- Floor load capacity to support heavy, water-filled machines
Assessing Plumbing Requirements
Your washing machine requires hot and cold water supply lines plus a drainage system. This is the technical part of the plumbing project, and to be honest, it’s the part most DIYers should leave to the professionals.
This part requires tapping into your house’s existing water lines and putting in a shut-off valve with either 1/2 inch of copper or PEX pipe. To drain, the line has to connect to your house’s waste system through a 2-inch pipe that extends 18 to 30 inches above the floor. If the drainage slope and venting are not done properly, you risk backups and awful odors.
Budget-wise, expect plumbing work to cost between $500-$2,000 depending on how far you are from existing lines. Longer distances mean higher costs as pipes snake through walls and floors.
Electrical Work for Your Connections
Electric dryers demand 220-240V circuits with 30-amp service, while gas dryers need standard 120V outlets. If you’re installing washer dryer connections in a space without adequate electrical service, you’ll need an electrician to run new wiring from your panel.
Electrical essentials include:
- Dedicated circuit for the dryer
- GFCI-protected outlet for the washer
- Proper wire gauge (typically 10-gauge for dryers)
- Updated electrical panel if current capacity is insufficient
Electrical installations typically range from $300-$1,500, with costs climbing if your panel needs upgrading or wiring must travel long distances.
