How much does appliance installation cost in Virginia?

There is no official price list for appliance installation in Virginia, and rates vary by business and by house, so the honest number is the written quote for your kitchen or laundry room. What you can know in advance is what makes one install cost more than another: whether the hookups already match, whether licensed gas, electrical or plumbing work is involved, permits, haul-away and parts.

A straight swap or new hookups

The single biggest driver is whether the new appliance drops into connections that are already right for it.

• Time on site. GE's built-in dishwasher instructions put the job at 1 to 3 hours and note that new installations take more time than replacements.^[1] A dishwasher where there was none before means a new water line, drain and power, not just a swap.
• Power. GE's dishwasher calls for its own grounded 120-volt branch circuit protected by a 15 or 20 amp breaker or time-delay fuse,^[1] and if the electrical supply does not meet the requirements, GE says to call a licensed electrician before proceeding.^[1] An electric range or dryer that needs a different outlet, or a new circuit, adds an electrician's visit.
• Gas. A gas range or dryer that connects to an existing shut-off valve is simpler than one that needs a valve moved, a line extended or a new line run. New gas piping is gas fitting work for a licensed tradesperson,^[10] and in Fairfax County it needs a Residential Plumbing permit;^[6] ask your building department what yours requires.
• The opening. Built-ins have to fit. GE's dishwasher needs a cabinet opening at least 24 inches deep, 24 inches wide and about 34-1/2 inches from the floor to the underside of the countertop.^[1] Trimming cabinets, moving a counter edge or adjusting flooring height is extra.

Parts that should be new

A quote that reuses old parts can look cheaper. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says gas connectors should always be replaced whenever the appliance is replaced or moved,^[2] and Whirlpool recommends replacing washer inlet hoses after 5 years of use.^[3] Ask for new connectors, hoses and supply lines to be itemised, along with an anti-tip bracket for any range and the right vent duct for a dryer.

Quality matters to the warranty too. In GE's words: "Product failure due to improper installation is not covered under the GE Appliance Warranty."^[1]

Haul-away of the old appliance

The EPA notes that some retailers offer pick-up and disposal with the purchase and delivery of a new appliance, and some take old ones back at no charge.^[4] It also notes that municipalities may require the refrigerant to be recovered before they will pick up a refrigerator or freezer, in which case you would need a professional, such as an employee of an appliance repair shop, to remove it first.^[4] Ask for haul-away as its own line so you can compare it.

Permits and what they cost

Permits are part of the price when the work calls for one. Virginia's building code exempts replacing mechanical appliances from a permit only when they are not fueled by gas or oil,^[5] and replacing plumbing fixtures is exempt only when the water supply, drainage and vent systems are not altered.^[5] Fairfax County requires a permit for any gas appliance installation or replacement, and a residential plumbing permit instead when new gas piping goes in.^[6]

Fees are set locally. As one example, Montgomery County, Virginia's posted fee schedule, when we checked on October 26, 2026, listed residential electrical, plumbing and mechanical trade permits at $0.03 per square foot with a $45 minimum,^[7] plus a 2% state levy, a technology fee of 2% with a $10 minimum, and $50 for a re-inspection.^[7] Other localities charge differently, so ask your installer what the permit will cost and whether it is in the quote.

Licences change who can quote

Who you can hire shapes the price. In Virginia no individual may do electrical, plumbing or HVAC work for the public for pay without a tradesman licence.^[9][8] Gas work has licences of its own: the law also requires a licence to work as a liquefied petroleum gas fitter or natural gas fitter provider,^[9] and the Board for Contractors' rules define a gas fitter as a tradesman whose work includes installing gas piping and appliances.^[10] Separately, a contracting business needs a Class C licence or higher once a single job is over $1,000.^[11] A handyman can often handle a plug-in refrigerator, a freestanding electric range on a matching outlet, or levelling and trim, while the gas, wiring or plumbing piece goes to a licensed trade. Bundling both into one visit can save a second trip charge. Read more in who can hook up a gas dryer or range in Virginia.

When to call a licensed pro

Expect a licensed tradesperson, and usually a permit, when the job includes:

• Any gas connection, gas line change or propane conversion.
• A new circuit, a changed outlet, or a hard-wired dishwasher or disposal where wiring is altered.
• A new water line, drain or ice-maker line where none existed.
• Signs of trouble at the old hookup: a gas smell, scorched outlet, corroded valve or water damage under the old unit.

Getting comparable quotes

DPOR advises getting at least three written bids based on the same specifications,^[12] and limiting the up-front payment to a deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less.^[12] For appliance work, give every business the same details: the model numbers, photos of the existing hookups (outlet, valve, drain), the fuel type, and whether the old unit goes away. Ask each to say who pulls any permit and to price connectors, haul-away and electrical or plumbing changes separately.

For context on labour pricing in general, see how much a handyman costs in Virginia and how much deposit a contractor can ask for. Browse more handyman answers or handyman services. When you have the details together, describe your appliance installation once and licensed businesses will send written quotes.