Tumble Dryer Repair Cost

Rainy weather means that tumble dryers are an essential appliance in most UK homes. They help us get clothes dry quickly when line drying simply isn’t possible, saving laundry from piling up and airers from cluttering spaces.

So, when a tumble dryer stops working, for whatever reason, it can cause a lot of disruption. Although modern tumble dryers are generally reliable, it’s common for breakdowns to happen as they start to age. Frequent use can also cause wear and tear on bearings, belts and other mechanical parts.

Thankfully, tumble dryers can be repaired to help you extend their lifespan. A repair is typically cheaper and more sustainable than buying a replacement, which can cost anywhere between £200 for a cheap model to more than £1,000 for a top-of-the-range, Wi-Fi-enabled tumble dryer. Therefore, it’s usually considered the best option.

Ready to find out the cost of a tumble dryer repair? Great, let’s take a close look at repair job prices and the factors that affect these costs.

How Much is Tumble Dryer Repair?

Repairing a tumble dryer costs between £50 and £400, depending on the fault, the time it takes to repair, and the parts that are supplied and fitted.

For example, a simple repair to the door or filter, or the replacement of a small component such as a capacitor, will typically cost less than a motor, pump or control panel repair.

The type of dryer you own and where in the UK you live can also affect the budget you’ll need to fix your appliance. For example, those living in London will typically pay more in labour costs than those living in the North of England.

In addition, heat pump dryer and washer dryer repairs are typically more expensive than repairs to condenser and vented dryers due to the complexity of the machines.

Tumble Dryer Repair Prices

Wondering how much you can expect a tumble dryer repair to cost? Here are the average prices for the different types of repair costs:

Tumble Dryer Supply Costs

As you might expect, modern tumble dryers are relatively complex machines, made up of various electronic and mechanical components. These can fail or wear out over time.

Basic parts, such as belts and bearings, are inexpensive, while intricate parts, such as motors and control boards, cost more. So, the final price of your repair will depend on which parts need replacing.

Tumble dryer repairs can cost more if branded or genuine manufacturer parts are used rather than compatible parts from other manufacturers and suppliers. Parts that need ordering in or are hard to source can also cost more.

So, the repair costs of top-of-the-range dryers and older models may be higher than average.

Additional Costs

It’s not just the replacement parts that you should budget for when getting a tumble dryer or washer dryer repaired. You may also need to factor in these additional costs:

Emergency call-out fees – You’ll typically pay a higher call-out fee for emergency, out-of-hours and same-day repair services. Emergency call-out fees can range between £60 and £150. Even if you decide not to go ahead with the repair, you’ll still be expected to pay the call-out fee to cover the visit and diagnostic tests.

Travel costs – If the engineer or technician needs to travel outside of their normal service area, or you live in a remote location, you may need to pay an additional fee to cover the extra mileage. A travel charge may also be applied if your repair technician needs to pay to park outside your home.

Return visit – Should a second visit be required, for example, to fit some parts that have been ordered, you may be charged for the additional time and labour.

Waste disposal – Tumble dryers that can’t be repaired or aren’t cost-effective to repair will need to be disposed of carefully. Local authority collection and licensed waste removal services typically cost between £15 and £100.

Appliance servicing – If your tumble dryer is showing signs of wear and tear and you want to prolong its lifespan, a full service of the machine could be worthwhile. You can expect this to cost between £45 and £130.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Tumble Dryer Repair

The labour and timescales involved in fixing a tumble dryer will affect how much the repair costs

Qualified appliance technicians and repair engineers typically charge between £20 and £80 per hour, so the longer a repair takes, the more you’ll need to pay. This means that complex electronic repairs tend to cost more than simple belt and door latch failures. Here are some of the typical timescales for tumble dryer repair jobs:

These factors can also affect labour costs:

• Number of visits – A tumble dryer repair that can be completed in a single visit typically costs less than one that needs multiple visits to cover diagnostics and the fitting of parts.
• Type of tumble dryer – Complex machines, including washer dryers and smart heat pump tumble dryers, may require a specialist technician. These models can contain more components and more complex electronics than conventional dryers. Therefore, diagnostic tests may take longer, and some internal components might be harder to access.
• Location – Where in the UK you live can affect labour costs as rates are typically higher in London and the South East.
• Call-out fees – The call-out fee may cover the first 30 minutes or hour of labour as well as travel costs and diagnostics, but it’s wise to check beforehand.

Cost Factors for Tumble Dryer Repair

What else can influence the cost of tumble dryer repairs? Here are some key factors to bear in mind:

• Severity of the tumble dryer breakdown – If more than one component needs replacing, this will raise the cost of parts and labour.
• Age of tumble dryer – The older the machine, the more likely it is to need additional repair work and servicing. It can also be harder to source replacement parts.
• Type of dryer – The straightforward construction of vented dryers means they’re typically easiest to fix, whereas a heat pump dryer is usually the most complex due to the technology it uses to recycle hot air.
• Availability of replacement parts – If a tumble dryer uses non-standard components or contains parts that need ordering in from another country, costs will be higher.
• Brand-specific repair requirements – You may be required to use genuine manufacturer parts rather than cheaper compatible parts, or use a brand-approved technician, to comply with the machine’s warranty.

Building Regulations Related to Tumble Dryer Repair

You shouldn’t need to worry about Planning Permission or Building Regulations when you’re getting your tumble dryer repaired.

However, you must use a qualified electrician and make sure the electrical work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations if you:

• Find a fault with the electrical circuit your tumble dryer is plugged into.
• Wish to make changes to the socket your appliance uses.
• Decide to create a utility room or dedicated laundry space for your washing machine and tumble dryer, and need new electrics installed.

Types of Tumble Dryer Repairs

Here are some of the most common tumble dryer faults and their possible causes:

As you can see, when a tumble dryer develops a problem, there’s often more than one possible cause. That’s why it’s important to get the fault diagnosed by a professional.

Alternative Types of Tumble Dryer Solutions

It may not make financial sense to fix an old tumble dryer if the repair costs are high. So, let’s take a brief look at the alternatives:

• Buy a new tumble dryer – The most obvious solution is to buy a new tumble dryer. You could replace it with a similar model or switch to one that offers more convenience, such as one with smart functions or one that doesn’t need to be vented outside.
• Upgrade to a heat pump dryer – Although the initial outlay can be a little higher, typically between £350 and £800 for a high-quality brand, the running costs of a new energy-efficient heat pump dryer should be far less than a condenser or vented tumble dryer.
• Rent your appliance – Renting an appliance means you’ll have no high upfront costs, and you won’t have to worry about servicing and repair costs. But you do need to weigh up whether this option is cost-effective long-term. Weekly rental prices tend to range between £2 and £12, depending on the model you’re renting.
• Switch to using clothes airers – Conventional clothes airers are cheap to buy, but washing can take a long time to dry. Costing between £50 and £200, heated airers are more expensive than conventional ones, but they do dry your clothes much quicker. The running costs are generally low, with many models only costing 2p – 5p per hour. Unlike a tumble dryer, you can set them up in any room, but they can create unnecessary clutter.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Tumble Dryer Repair

Need to hire a professional repair engineer or technician? Make sure you’ve ticked these off your hiring checklist first:

• Verified your technician has worked with the same type and brand of dryer before.
• Read online customer reviews, testimonials and ratings to ensure you’re hiring a reliable repair specialist.
• Checked they hold a professional qualification such as an electrotechnical diploma.
• Know what guarantees come with the repair and whether the parts have a warranty. Guarantees typically range between six months and one year.
• Got a written quote outlining all the costs involved in the repair.
• Confirmed the availability of replacement parts to ensure there are no hold-ups or hidden costs.

Removing a Tumble Dryer

When your tumble dryer has reached the end of its lifespan and cannot be repaired, you need to remove it and dispose of it safely and correctly.

Firstly, the unit will need unplugging, and vent and drain hoses will need disconnecting where necessary. You can then recycle or dispose of your old tumble dryer in one of the following ways:

• If you’re ordering a new tumble dryer, you can ask the retailer if they’ll take your old appliance away. There may be an additional fee of around £20 to £30 for this service.
• Arrange for the appliance to be collected by your local council. Bulky waste collections typically cost between £15 and £80, depending on where you live and the number of items to be collected.
• Hire a waste removal company to collect it. You must check that the company has a valid Waste Carriers License, to ensure it’s disposed of safely and legally.

FAQs