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Washer & Dryer Removal: Pricing, Disconnection & Disposal

Gas dryers need line capping, stacked units need de-stacking, and pair pricing drives 65-80% margins. Full operator playbook inside.

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Last updated: Mar 2026

Pricing

Pricing Tiers

Pricing considerations for the job size, materials and access requirements.

Single Unit (ground level)

$75–$125

  • Full disconnection of water supply or electric plug

  • Removal from laundry area to truck

  • Transport to scrap yard or donation center

  • Scrap metal recycling with proceeds kept by operator

Charge high-end:

Gas dryer requiring line cap adds $25⁠–⁠$50 in labor and parts. Stacked unit requiring de-stacking before moving adds 10⁠–⁠15 minutes of on-site time and warrants the higher end of this range. Units wedged into closets narrower than 30 inches also justify premium pricing due to extra maneuvering.

Washer + Dryer Pair

$125–$200

  • Both units disconnected, removed, and disposed

  • Water supply valve shutoff and hose disconnection

  • Gas line cap included when applicable

  • Floor protection during extraction from tight spaces

Charge high-end:

Basement with narrow stairs or tight laundry closet under 30 inches wide. If the pair includes a gas dryer plus a stacked configuration, quote $175⁠–⁠$200 minimum. Customers rarely balk at pair pricing because they already know single-unit pricing from competitors — your pair discount feels like a deal while still delivering $200+/hr effective revenue.

Pair With Stairs

$175–$275for pair

  • Stair carry with appliance dolly and stair climbers

  • Floor and wall protection on all stair runs

  • Full disconnection and gas line capping

  • Disposal via scrap recycling or donation coordination

Charge high-end:

Basement with 2+ flights, tight 90-degree turns, no landing, or exterior bulkhead stairs. Old homes with 28-inch stairwells push the job toward $275. One operator in the Mid-Atlantic reports consistently charging $250 for basement pairs because the injury risk and time investment justify it — customers accept because they physically cannot move these units themselves.

Commercial Laundromat Removal

$150–$350per unit

  • Commercial-grade washer or dryer (300⁠–⁠500 lbs)

  • Coin-op mechanism does not affect pricing

  • Loading dock or rear-exit extraction

  • Scrap recycling of oversized steel units

Charge high-end:

Commercial stack dryers bolted to the wall or commercial washers plumbed with rigid copper lines. Units over 400 lbs may require a third crew member or furniture jack. Laundromat owners replacing 8⁠–⁠12 units at once represent a $2,000⁠–⁠$4,000 single-job opportunity — quote per-unit with a volume discount of 10⁠–⁠15% to lock the contract.

Add-ons

  • Stair surcharge per flight$25–$50
  • Gas line cap (if not already capped)$25–$50
  • De-stacking fee (stacked washer/dryer combo)$25–$40
  • Second-floor laundry closet extraction (tight space premium)$25–$50
Assumptions behind these rangesAssumptions behind these ranges
  • 2-person crew standard; 3-person for commercial units over 350 lbs
  • Residential washers weigh 150⁠–⁠250 lbs; dryers 100⁠–⁠170 lbs
  • Commercial washers weigh 300⁠–⁠500 lbs; commercial dryers 250⁠–⁠400 lbs
  • Scrap value $5⁠–⁠$15 per residential unit, $15⁠–⁠$30 per commercial unit
  • No Freon — washers and dryers do not contain refrigerant, unlike refrigerators or window AC units
  • Gas line caps cost $2⁠–⁠$4 wholesale — your $25⁠–⁠$50 add-on is almost pure margin

Checklist

Pre-Quote Checklist

Washer and dryer removal is one of the most predictable appliance jobs you will run. The critical variable is gas versus electric — everything else is logistics. Nail these six questions during the initial call or load-based booking flow and your crew shows up fully prepared with zero surprises.

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Field operations

Equipment & PPE

Required

  • Appliance dolly (800 lb capacity)Must have stair-climbing belt or tracks for basement removal.

    A standard hand truck cannot safely handle a 250-lb washer on stairs. Budget $180⁠–⁠$350 for a quality appliance dolly — it pays for itself in two jobs.

  • Adjustable wrench (10-inch and 12-inch)For disconnecting washer water supply hoses and gas dryer flex connectors.

    Carry both sizes because older homes use non-standard fittings. A basin wrench is useful for hoses with corroded connections.

  • Furniture sliders (heavy-duty, 8-pack)Slide washers and dryers out of tight laundry closets without scratching hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring.

    Place under all four corners before pulling the unit forward. Costs $8⁠–⁠$15 per pack and prevents $200+ floor damage claims.

  • Moving blankets (2 minimum per job)Wrap doorframes and banisters when navigating units through hallways and down stairs.

    A single scuff on a painted banister can trigger a $150⁠–⁠$300 touch-up request from the homeowner. Blankets cost $12 each and eliminate the risk entirely.

  • Channel-lock pliers (12-inch)Starter for stubborn water supply connections that have corroded over years of moisture exposure.

    Adjustable wrench alone will not grip corroded brass fittings. Channel-locks give you the torque to break seized connections without stripping.

Recommended

  • Brass gas line caps (3/8" and 1/2")Keep 3⁠–⁠4 of each size on the truck at all times.

    They cost $2⁠–⁠$4 each wholesale and support a $25⁠–⁠$50 add-on per gas dryer job. Running out means you cannot safely complete gas dryer disconnections.

  • Teflon tape (yellow gas-rated)Yellow Teflon tape is rated for gas connections — white plumber's tape is not.

    Wrap 4⁠–⁠5 clockwise turns on cap threads before tightening. A roll costs $3 and lasts 20+ jobs.

  • Leak detection solution or gas snifferAfter capping a gas line, spray the joint with leak detection solution or use a handheld gas sniffer to confirm zero leaks.

    This 30-second step prevents callbacks and potential liability. A bottle of detection solution costs $6 at any hardware store.

  • Cordless drill with socket adapterSpeeds up de-stacking of stacked washer/dryer units by removing the four bracket bolts in under 2 minutes versus 8⁠–⁠10 minutes with a hand wrench.

    Carry 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch sockets.

Required PPE — Do Not Skip

  • Cut-resistant gloves (sheet metal edges on dryer drums cause lacerations)

  • Steel-toe boots (250-lb washers rolling off a dolly will crush standard footwear)

  • Back support belt (recommended for basement stair carries over 6 steps)

  • Safety glasses (rust flakes and debris fall during disconnection of older units)

  • Knee pads (useful when working behind units in tight laundry closets)

Workflow

Step-by-Step Workflow

Execute the job safely and efficiently every time.

  1. Confirm connections and access

    Walk the laundry area before touching anything.

    Identify whether the dryer is gas (look for a flex line running to a wall valve) or electric (240V plug). Locate hot and cold water supply valves behind the washer. Check the path to the truck for doorway widths, stair turns, and floor surfaces that need protection. This 2-minute walkthrough prevents every common mistake.

  2. Shut off utilities and disconnect

    Turn off both hot and cold water supply valves behind the washer — turn clockwise until fully closed.

    Place a towel under the hose connections to catch residual water. Unplug the electric dryer or, for gas dryers, turn the gas valve to the perpendicular (off) position. Disconnect washer drain hose from the standpipe. One operator in Dallas skipped the water shutoff and flooded a customer's laundry room — the GL claim was $1,800 after drywall remediation.

  3. Cap gas line (gas dryers only)

    After shutting the gas valve and disconnecting the flex line, apply 4⁠–⁠5 wraps of yellow gas-rated Teflon tape clockwise onto the pipe threads.

    Thread on a brass cap and tighten with an adjustable wrench — snug plus one-quarter turn. Spray with leak detection solution and confirm zero bubbles for 30 seconds. Document the capped line with a timestamped photo stored in the job record. This step takes under 5 minutes and bills at $25⁠–⁠$50.

  4. De-stack if stacked configuration

    For stacked washer/dryer combos, remove the top unit (usually the dryer, 100⁠–⁠170 lbs) first.

    Unbolt the stacking bracket using a cordless drill with the correct socket — typically 1/4-inch or 5/16-inch bolts. One person braces the top unit while the second person removes bolts. Lift the top unit off and set it on a moving blanket. Never try to dolly a stacked pair as a single unit — the top unit will shift and fall, risking injury and property damage.

  5. Extract from laundry area

    Place furniture sliders under all four corners of the unit.

    Slowly pull the unit forward out of the laundry closet or alcove. Watch for the drain hose catching on the standpipe. If the closet opening is under 30 inches, remove bifold doors or closet door tracks first — this takes 3 minutes and prevents $200+ door damage. Once in open floor space, tilt the unit onto the appliance dolly and strap it securely.

  6. Navigate stairs and load truck

    Use the stair-climbing belt or tracks on your appliance dolly.

    One person controls the dolly from above, the second guides from below. Take one step at a time — never rush a 250-lb washer down stairs. Protect banisters and walls with moving blankets secured with painter's tape. At the truck, use the liftgate or ramp. Secure units inside the truck with ratchet straps to prevent shifting during transport. Average stair carry for a pair adds 15⁠–⁠20 minutes to the job.

  7. Dispose via scrap or donation

    Drive to your scrap yard and unload. Washers yield $8⁠–⁠$15 in scrap value; dryers yield $5⁠–⁠$12.

    If the customer requested donation and the units are working and under 10 years old, coordinate with Habitat ReStore or Salvation Army for drop-off or pickup. Keep scrap receipts for end-of-month accounting — a 3-truck operation running 15⁠–⁠20 washer/dryer pairs per month generates $200⁠–⁠$450 in scrap revenue that offsets fuel costs.

Disposal

Disposal Options & Costs

  1. Scrap metal recycling

    Default    Washers and dryers are 80%+ steel by weight, making them ideal scrap candidates.

    Residential washers weigh 150⁠–⁠250 lbs and yield $8⁠–⁠$15 at current scrap prices of $0.03⁠–⁠$0.10 per pound. Dryers weigh 100⁠–⁠170 lbs and yield $5⁠–⁠$12. Build a relationship with one scrap yard and negotiate a standing rate — yards that see you weekly will pay the higher end of the scale. Some operators batch 8⁠–⁠10 units before making a single scrap run to minimize drive time.

    Revenue of $5–$15per residential unit; $15–$30 per commercial unit

  2. Donation to nonprofit

    Working units manufactured within the last 10 years are accepted by Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, and local church-based charities.

    Some nonprofits will pick up directly from the customer's home if you coordinate. Offer donation as an upsell to eco-conscious customers — it differentiates your brand and generates positive reviews. Provide the customer with a donation receipt for their tax deduction, which increases their perceived value of your service.

    Free(no disposal cost, but no scrap revenue either)

  3. Resale of working units

    High-end front-load washers and dryers (LG, Samsung, Electrolux) less than 5 years old in working condition can resell for $150⁠–⁠$350 each on Facebook Marketplace or to used appliance dealers.

    This requires storage space and testing capability, so it is not viable for every operator. If you have warehouse space, cherry-picking premium units for resale can generate $300⁠–⁠$600 per pair versus $15⁠–⁠$25 in scrap.

    Revenue of $150–$350per unit (resale); requires storage and testing

Safety & compliance

When to Decline the Job

Walk away from these. The margin isn’t worth the risk.

Red Flags — Decline or Reprice

  1. Gas leak smell during disconnection — evacuate the home immediately and call the gas company's emergency line

  2. Hardwired electric connection (no plug, direct wired to panel) — require a licensed electrician to disconnect before your crew removes the unit

  3. Frozen or corroded water supply valves that break when turned — advise customer to call a plumber before you proceed with disconnection

  4. Stairs under 28 inches wide or steeper than 40 degrees with no railing — injury risk exceeds revenue on these jobs

Profitability

Why This Job Is Profitable

  1. 65⁠–⁠80% gross margin on residential pairs — no Freon recovery cost eliminates the $35⁠–⁠$75 per-unit expense that kills margins on fridge and AC removal. Your only hard costs are fuel, labor, and $2⁠–⁠$4 in gas caps when applicable.

  2. Pair removal at $125⁠–⁠$200 takes 20⁠–⁠40 minutes on site — translating to $180⁠–⁠$400 effective revenue per crew hour. Compare this to full basement cleanouts at $120⁠–⁠$180 per crew hour and you see why smart operators prioritize appliance pair jobs.

  3. Scrap revenue of $10⁠–⁠$30 per pair eliminates disposal cost entirely and covers roughly 40⁠–⁠60% of the fuel cost for the job. A 3-truck operation running 60⁠–⁠80 pairs per month generates $600⁠–⁠$2,400 in scrap revenue — real money that flows straight to the bottom line.

  4. Gas line capping add-on of $25⁠–⁠$50 per job is nearly 100% margin. The brass cap costs $2⁠–⁠$4 and the Teflon tape is negligible. Roughly 35⁠–⁠45% of dryer removal jobs involve gas units, so this add-on fires on more than a third of your washer/dryer tickets.

  5. Pedestal drawer removal adds $15⁠–⁠$25 per pedestal with zero additional disposal complexity — the steel pedestals scrap with the main units. Front-load washer owners have pedestals roughly 50% of the time, making this a high-frequency micro-upsell.

Risk management

Insurance & Liability

  1. General Liability

    Standard general liability insurance covers washer and dryer removal.

    The primary claim risk is water damage from disconnecting supply hoses before shutting off valves — this scenario generates $1,500⁠–⁠$3,000 claims for drywall and flooring remediation. Always verify both hot and cold valves are fully closed before touching hose connections. Document valve shutoff with a timestamped photo.

  2. Demolition Exclusion

    No demolition exclusion applies to standard washer/dryer removal.

    However, if you are removing units as part of a full kitchen or laundry room demolition, confirm your GL policy covers demo work. Some carriers exclude structural demolition — check your policy's demo sub-limit and endorsement language before accepting combined tearout-and-removal jobs.

  3. Workers Comp

    Workers compensation insurance is required in most states for appliance removal crews.

    Stair carries are the primary injury risk — a 250-lb washer shifting on a dolly during a basement stair carry can cause back injuries, crushed feet, or hand lacerations. Ensure your comp policy classifies workers under NCCI code 4215 (junk removal/hauling) for accurate premium calculation. Average comp premiums for junk removal run $4⁠–⁠$8 per $100 of payroll.

Operator tips

Operator Tips

Always turn off water supply first

Turn off both hot and cold supply valves behind the washer by rotating clockwise until fully seated.

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Place a towel under the hose connections before loosening — even closed valves leak a few tablespoons of residual water. One forgotten valve caused a $1,800 water damage claim for an operator in Phoenix who had to eat the GL deductible.

Carry gas line caps on every truck

Stock 3⁠–⁠4 brass caps in both 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch sizes plus yellow gas-rated Teflon tape.

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Total inventory cost is under $20 and supports $25⁠–⁠$50 add-ons on every gas dryer disconnection. Running out of caps mid-day means you cannot complete the job safely and must return — killing crew productivity and customer satisfaction.

Scrap every single unit

Washers yield $8⁠–⁠$15 and dryers yield $5⁠–⁠$12 in scrap value at current steel prices.

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A crew running 4⁠–⁠5 pairs per day generates $50⁠–⁠$120 in daily scrap revenue. Negotiate a standing rate with your scrap yard — weekly visits at consistent volume earn you the top per-pound rate. Never landfill a washer or dryer when you can profit from scrapping it.

Quote and sell as a pair

Roughly 75⁠–⁠80% of customers replacing one laundry unit are replacing both.

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During the booking call or through your load-based booking flow, default to pair pricing. A $150 pair quote converts better than two $100 single-unit quotes because the customer perceives a discount — even though your revenue and margin are identical or better.

Photograph the gas cap after every job

After capping a gas line, take a clear timestamped photo of the brass cap with leak detection solution visible on the joint.

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Upload it to the job record in your ScaleYourJunk dashboard. This protects you if the customer later claims a gas leak — your documentation proves the cap was installed correctly and tested at the time of service. This single habit has saved operators from $5,000+ liability disputes.

FAQ

How much does washer and dryer removal cost?

A single washer or dryer removal costs $75⁠–⁠$125 on the ground floor. A pair costs $125⁠–⁠$200. Add $25⁠–⁠$50 per flight of stairs and $25⁠–⁠$50 for gas line capping if the dryer is gas. Stacked unit de-stacking adds $25⁠–⁠$40. These prices reflect 2-person crew rates in most U.S. markets. Higher cost-of-living metro areas like San Francisco or New York typically run 15⁠–⁠25% above these ranges.

How do you disconnect a gas dryer safely?

Shut off the gas supply valve behind the dryer by turning it perpendicular to the pipe. Disconnect the flexible gas line using an adjustable wrench. Apply 4⁠–⁠5 wraps of yellow gas-rated Teflon tape to the pipe threads and tighten a brass cap. Test with leak detection solution for 30 seconds. If you smell gas at any point, stop immediately, ventilate the area, and call your local gas company's emergency line.

Can working washers and dryers be donated instead of scrapped?

Yes. Working units manufactured within the last 10 years are accepted by Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, and many local charities. Coordinate the drop-off or request a nonprofit pickup. Provide the customer with a donation receipt for their tax deduction. Donation eliminates your scrap revenue but earns customer loyalty and five-star reviews that drive future bookings.

Do washers and dryers contain Freon?

No. Standard residential and commercial washers and dryers do not contain refrigerant of any kind. Unlike refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units, there is no EPA Section 608 Freon recovery requirement for washer and dryer disposal. This makes them one of the simplest and most profitable appliance removal jobs because you skip the $35⁠–⁠$75 Freon recovery cost entirely.

How much is a washer or dryer worth in scrap metal?

A residential washer yields $8⁠–⁠$15 in scrap value and a dryer yields $5⁠–⁠$12, based on steel prices of $0.03⁠–⁠$0.10 per pound. Commercial laundromat units are heavier and yield $15⁠–⁠$30 each. Scrap prices fluctuate monthly — build a relationship with one yard and check rates weekly. Batch 8⁠–⁠10 units per scrap run to minimize fuel and time costs. Annual scrap revenue from washer/dryer jobs alone can reach $3,000⁠–⁠$6,000 for a busy 2-truck operation.

Resources

Related Resources

Guide

Appliance Removal Guide

Complete pricing, workflow, and disposal guide for all major appliance types including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and more.

Guide

Refrigerator Removal

Fridge and freezer removal with EPA Section 608 Freon recovery compliance — the key difference from washer/dryer jobs.

Guide

Basement Cleanout Guide

Full basement cleanout playbook including stair-carry techniques and pricing — washers and dryers are the heaviest basement items.

Feature

Load-Based Booking Feature

Let customers select washer, dryer, gas vs electric, and stair count online — crew arrives prepared with zero phone calls.

Pricing

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Load-based booking captures washer, dryer, gas vs electric, stair count, and stacked configuration — your crew arrives ready.

Included in Starter ($149/mo) and Growth ($299/mo). Annual billing is available.

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