How much does dryer vent cleaning cost in Virginia?

There is no Virginia price list for dryer vent cleaning, so this page does not quote a figure. What you pay depends on a handful of things you can see in your own house, and the way to get a firm number is a written quote that names the work. That is what this page helps you do.

What drives the price

Length and route of the duct. A short run straight out the back wall is quick to clear. A long run, one with several elbows, or one that climbs through a floor or attic before reaching the outside takes longer. Ask the cleaner how long the run is and where it ends.

Where the vent ends. A hood at ground level is simple. A hood on an upper storey or the roof raises the labour and the safety equipment involved, and some companies charge more for it or decline it.

How blocked it is. A duct that has not been cleaned in years, or one packed with lint after a long period of slow drying, takes more time than one cleaned regularly.

The duct itself. Plastic or foil accordion duct is a common finding. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises replacing plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct.^[2] It says most manufacturers specify rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow, and that the flexible plastic or foil type more easily traps lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing.^[2] Replacement parts and the labour to fit them are usually priced on top of the cleaning.

Whether the dryer itself is cleaned. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises having a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically.^[2] Some companies include that, some charge extra, some do not do it at all.

The outdoor hood. A hood that is damaged, clogged or stuck shut may need replacing. The U.S. Fire Administration says to make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.^[1]

What to ask for in a written quote

Before you agree to a visit, ask each company to put these in writing:

• what is cleaned: the duct, the outdoor hood, the area behind the dryer, the inside of the dryer
• how they confirm it worked, for instance by checking that air is escaping at the outdoor vent while the dryer is operating, which is what the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends^[2]
• the price for the visit, and the price for any repair they may recommend, listed separately
• any extra charge for a long run, an upper-storey or roof vent, or hard access
• how they will protect your floors and what happens if they find damage

If the price changes once they are on site, ask them to explain the extra work and put it in writing before you agree.

Comparing quotes

The Board for Contractors advises getting at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors.^[3] For a dryer vent that means giving each company the same facts: how long the run is, where it ends and whether the duct is foil. It also warns against automatically taking the lowest bid and to beware of any bid substantially lower than the others, which it says probably indicates that the contractor has made a mistake or is not including all the work quoted by competitors.^[3] A very cheap cleaning may cover only the lint trap and the first stretch of duct.

Cost against what a visit buys

The reason to pay for a cleaning is safety and a dryer that works. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.^[2] The U.S. Fire Administration says you are at higher risk of a clothes dryer fire if you do not clean your lint filter and dryer vents.^[1] For a closer look at whether the visit is worth it, see is professional dryer vent cleaning worth it, and for what the work covers, what a dryer vent cleaning includes.

When to call a licensed pro

A cleaning is normally a small job, but a new vent, a re-routed duct or any gas-dryer connection is not. Virginia law sets a dollar line: if the work is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work.^[3] The Board for Contractors also says that if you contract with someone who does not hold a license, it may not be able to help you resolve a complaint.^[3] Read how to check whether a contractor is licensed in Virginia before you pay a deposit.

Browse chimney and venting services or read more chimney and venting answers.

To see what local pros would charge for your own vent, describe the job once and they quote it.