Dryer vent installation and replacement: cost, code rules, who to call
A new dryer vent through an exterior wall costs $200 to $800 and replacing existing ductwork costs $100 to $300, according to HomeGuide. The code wants a 4-inch smooth metal duct, no longer than 35 feet minus an allowance for each elbow, ending outside with a backdraft damper and no screen. HomeGuide says HVAC technicians, plumbers and appliance technicians install dryer vents, and that a new vent takes 2 to 4 hours.
The short version
- New vent through a wall: $200 to $800. Replacing old ductwork: $100 to $300 (HomeGuide).
- Installed by length: $10 to $20 per foot (HomeGuide).
- Material: smooth metal, 4 inches; the hose behind the dryer listed, 8 feet or less (IRC M1502.4.1, M1502.4.3).
- Length: 35 feet minus elbows, or the dryer maker's rating (IRC M1502.4.6).
- Indoor venting: not allowed for a vented dryer; only listed condensing (ductless) dryers are exempt (IRC M1502.2).
Dryer vent installation cost
| Job | HomeGuide |
|---|---|
| New vent through an exterior wall, including cutting the hole | $200 to $800 |
| Replacing existing ductwork in the same place | $100 to $300 |
| Duct and materials for a replacement | $30 to $100 |
| Labor for a replacement | $70 to $200 |
| Replacing the outside vent cover | $50 to $100 |
| Rerouting or new installation (price list) | $200 to $500 |
HomeGuide says costs rise for a vent under a deck or through a soffit, ducts run through floor joists, crawl spaces or basements, cutting through brick or stone instead of vinyl or wood siding, and complex runs with many elbows. A replacement is quicker: HomeGuide says professionals can replace an existing vent in about an hour.
Dryer vent replacement cost by length
| Run length | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 8 feet | $80 to $160 |
| 12 feet | $120 to $240 |
| 20 feet | $200 to $400 |
| 35 feet | $350 to $700 |
Materials: what the code allows
| Material | Price (HomeGuide) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized steel duct | $40 to $85 | Exhaust duct: smooth metal, at least 0.0157 inch thick, 4 inches (IRC M1502.4.1) |
| Rigid aluminum duct | $35 to $70 | Exhaust duct, same rule |
| Semi-rigid aluminum | $30 to $70 | Transition duct behind the dryer only if listed to UL 2158A, one piece, 8 feet or less, not in a wall (IRC M1502.4.3) |
| Aluminum-foil flex duct | $25 to $65 | Avoid: Whirlpool says foil-type duct can collapse, crush and trap lint |
| PVC or plastic | $20 to $55 | Avoid: the USFA recommends replacing plastic venting with rigid metal |
How far can you run a dryer vent?
35 feet from the transition duct to the outside, under the International Residential Code (M1502.4.6.1), minus an allowance for every elbow: a 4-inch mitered 90-degree elbow counts as 5 feet. The code also lets the dryer maker's installation instructions set the limit, and some dryers are rated for longer runs. Where the equivalent length passes 35 feet, the code requires a permanent label within 6 feet of the duct connection. Work out your run with the dryer vent length calculator.
Can you vent a dryer through the roof?
Often, yes, but check the dryer's installation instructions first. The code requires the duct to end outside the building, at least 3 feet from openings into it unless the dryer maker says otherwise, and does not require a wall. HomeGuide says professionals install rooftop vents when necessary but do not recommend them, and that gas dryers cannot vent through the roof. Roof vents cost more to maintain: HomeGuide prices roof vent cleaning at $150 to $250, and Fixr says roof vents clog more than wall vents. See cleaning a dryer vent on the roof.
Indoor dryer vent
An indoor vent kit is cheap, $65 to $120 installed according to HomeGuide, and it does not meet code for a vented dryer. The International Residential Code says dryer exhaust systems shall convey the moisture to the outdoors (M1502.2); the only exception is a listed and labeled condensing (ductless) dryer. HomeGuide says indoor vents typically are not code-compliant because of fire and mold risks, and the USFA warns that exhaust vented into the attic, crawl space or walls can cause poor indoor air and mold. If there is no way to reach an outside wall, the code-compliant answer is a condensing or heat-pump dryer, not an indoor vent.
How to replace dryer vent hose
- Unplug the dryer and, for a gas dryer, turn off the supply valve. The NFPA says a qualified professional should check a gas line and connection.
- Loosen the clamps at the dryer outlet and the wall duct and remove the old hose.
- Fit a listed transition duct: one piece, UL 2158A, 8 feet or less, and never inside a wall (IRC M1502.4.3).
- Clamp both ends, then push the dryer back without crushing the hose; the USFA says to check it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
- Run the dryer and check outside that the flap opens.
While the hose is off, clean the duct: see how to clean a dryer vent.
Who installs dryer vents?
HomeGuide says HVAC technicians, plumbers and appliance technicians install dryer vents, and suggests getting quotes from at least three companies. One credential to ask about is the Chimney Safety Institute of America's Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET) program. HomeGuide says a new vent where none existed takes 2 to 4 hours, longer when a hole has to be cut through brick or stone. Some cities require a permit: the City of Las Vegas homeowner guide, for example, lists installing dryer exhausts among the jobs that need one (see dryer vent cleaning in Las Vegas). Ask your installer, or your city's permit office, before the work starts.
Use the form below and we will send your request to a company that serves your ZIP code. For repairs to an existing vent, see dryer vent repair.
Dryer vent installation: common questions
How much does it cost to install a dryer vent?
Dryer vent replacement cost
Do you have to vent an electric dryer?
Is an indoor dryer vent safe?
Dryer vent cover replacement
How long can a dryer vent be?
Sources
- HomeGuide, dryer vent installation cost, page dated January 5, 2026: homeguide.com
- HomeGuide, dryer vent cleaning cost, page dated April 29, 2024: homeguide.com
- Fixr, dryer vent cleaning cost, updated January 31, 2025: fixr.com
- International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, section M1502: codes.iccsafe.org
- Whirlpool, "Dryer venting specifications" (W11688180A): whirlpool.com
- U.S. Fire Administration, "Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008 to 2010)", August 2012: usfa.fema.gov
- NFPA, "Clothes dryer safety" tip sheet: nfpa.org
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician: csia.org
- City of Las Vegas Building & Safety, "When Do I Need a Permit? A Homeowner's Guide": files.lasvegasnevada.gov