How much do washing machine hoses cost to replace?
Updated
Short answer
Replacing the washing machine hoses yourself costs $20 to $40 for a pair of braided stainless steel hoses, and the swap takes 15 to 30 minutes. A plumber charges $100 to $200. The hoses are the most likely thing in the laundry room to flood the house, and the price of the braided pair is the whole cost of making sure they don't.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20 to $40 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $200 |
| Total | $20 to $40 | $100 to $200 |
The DIY cost is the pair of hoses. Pliers, a bucket and a towel are all the job needs, and every home has them. The plumber's price covers the trip and a check of the valves on the wall, which is the one thing that can make the visit worthwhile. Write the date on a piece of tape on one of the new hoses, so the next replacement doesn't depend on anyone's memory, and keep the receipt with the house records in case a hose ever does fail.
What drives the cost
- The hose type. Braided stainless steel costs a little more than rubber and is the only kind worth buying. Rubber hoses are the ones that burst.
- Length. A machine that sits far from the valves needs longer hoses, which cost a bit more. Buy the length that reaches without stretching or kinking.
- The valves. If the shut-off valves on the wall are stuck or leaking, the job grows into a valve replacement, and that's where the plumber's price comes in.
- Access. A machine in a tight closet or a stacked laundry unit takes longer to pull out.
- Skipping it. A burst hose puts out gallons a minute, and the cleanup, the floor and the ceiling below cost far more than every hose the machine will ever need.
DIY vs. pro
This is an easy job and the cheapest insurance in the house. How often to replace washing machine hoses is every 3 to 5 years, and every 3 for rubber ones. The fittings are ordinary hose threads, hand tight plus a quarter turn with pliers, and a drip is fixed by tightening a little more.
The plumber's $100 to $200 makes sense only when the wall valves are stuck or leaking and need replacing anyway, or when a leak has already happened and you want everything behind the machine checked. For a straightforward hose swap, keep the money.
FAQ
How much do washing machine hoses cost?
$20 to $40 for a pair of braided stainless steel hoses, which is the kind to buy.
How much does a plumber charge to replace washing machine hoses?
$100 to $200, which is worth paying only if the wall valves need replacing at the same time.
Are braided hoses worth the extra cost?
Yes. The metal jacket keeps the rubber liner from swelling and bursting, and the difference in price is small.
How long do washing machine hoses last?
Braided hoses go 3 to 5 years. Rubber hoses should be replaced every 3, or sooner if they show a bulge or a crack.