Step-by-step cost breakdown
| Line item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance: budget tier | $300-500 | Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire entry-level |
| Appliance: mid tier | $500-900 | Bosch 100/300, Samsung mid, KitchenAid base |
| Appliance: premium | $900-1,800 | Bosch 500/800, Miele G-Series, KitchenAid premium |
| Basic install labor | $150-300 | Appliance technician, 1-2 hours |
| Haul-away of old unit | $0 or $50-150 | Free if retailer offers; ask |
| New supply line | $20-50 | 3/8" braided stainless |
| New drain hose | $10-30 | Often included with new unit |
| Anti-tip bracket | $15-30 | Some models require it |
When replacement gets more expensive
Old unit is hardwired
+$80-150 electrician callout to swap to a plug or rewire to new hardwire requirement.
Old unit leaked into cabinet
Carpentry needed before new unit. Add $200-600 for cabinet repair.
Different size unit
18-inch to 24-inch swap requires cabinet modification. $100-400.
Corroded plumbing
Plumber replaces shutoff valve and supply line. $80-200.
Repair or replace?
A simple repair makes sense if all three are true:
- +Unit is under 5 years old
- +Repair is under 50% of replacement cost
- +Issue is door latch, pump, or door seal (cheap parts)
Replace if the control board has failed (often 60%+ of unit cost), there's visible rust on the interior tub, or it's 10+ years old. See timing the replacement for sale-cycle savings.