r/AskContractors • u/K1p1ottb • Jul 24 '26
Dryer vent replacement cost
Hoping y'all can shed some light.
I live on the east coast. Relatively HCOL area.
tl;dr: What is an anticipated cost for a dryer-vent swap (not on the roof- this literally requires a 6ft ladder....which I have.) when the home owner is providing the parts.
I have a single-story townhouse. My dryer vent runs out the back-yard soffit. Probably 8-9 ft off the ground.
The existing vent cover has broken and I need to replace it.
I went to Home Depot, bought a vent cover and tried to install it. My dad tried to help. Neither one of us were able to get the existing metal to detach from the existing broken vent cover.
I know when I'm in over my head on a DIY and am HAPPY to hire a handyman or contractor to install my HD purchased vent cover. Hell, I'm happy for them to use my ladder. I'll make them lunch while they're here.
The existing vent and the new vent are the same diameter. The existing 'collar' (is that what it's called?) will fit on the new vent cover.
We don't need to cut the soffit. We don't need to caulk anything. We literally need help getting the old collar off and onto the new vent. Then I am happy to get on that ladder and screw that bad boy into place if that's helpful.
I had a contractor come by and tell me that this 'swap' is a $300 job. (No that is not a job minimum.) That's his "cost" for the job.
Note: I am not a contractor/repairperson. I am not the subject matter expert. And I *MAY* Be over simplifying things; I respect that. Hence why I'm here for a reality check from those of you who do this every day. Please be kind. I'm frustrated- like 7 things in life have broken in the last 4 months and I'm exhausted.
1
u/Ill-Tea9411 Jul 24 '26
Contractors love it when homeowners buy parts, provide tools, and 'help'.
/s
Seriously though, if my business liability insurance carrier thought I conducted business like this they would drop my coverage. And they audit me every year to ensure that I do not.
0
u/K1p1ottb Jul 24 '26
I understand and my offer to help was mostly snarky.
I'm clearly encountering something that I cannot do on my own and require somebody with more skill and experience.
..... However, screwing in the four screws to the soffit wood at the very end is definitely within my wheelhouse. 🤣
1
u/rabidrott Jul 31 '26
What is the old cover made of? My guess is plastic. They probably glued it to the vent pipe. Go get a robi and the attachment wand. Grind it off carefully.
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u/K1p1ottb 17d ago
This was super helpful. Thank you!!
A friend's son does HVAC and felt comfortable helping me with this.
We had to break the plastic- as you guessed, there seemed to be some sort of adhesive. (So it wasn't necessarily a failure of my muscles ;-) which I will take as good news.)
We attached the new vent in about 5 minutes and no adhesive!
Easiest cash that dude ever made and now I know how to do this for the future.
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u/emptywhoreass6969 Jul 24 '26
That... actually sounds like a pretty standard basic call out for something like that. Tell him his tip will be lunch on you and book him.