4 Simple Steps to Install a Dishwasher

Dishwashers are an essential kitchen appliance for people who hate washing dishes – and there are certainly many of them! They save time scrubbing and rinsing, allowing you to enjoy cooking and eating more. Installing one of these devices may initially seem daunting, but it’s relatively simple.

The steps to install a dishwasher are: gathering the appropriate tools and materials, removing the old dishwasher, preparing the new dishwasher, and installing the new dishwasher in place of the old one.

We’ll explain how to install a dishwasher in an easy-to-understand manner. If you want to integrate a (new) dishwasher into your kitchen, keep reading to learn more!

Is Installing a Dishwasher Difficult?

Many people don’t want to deal with appliance installations, having to pull out some tools and learn about the mentioned appliance components, which is completely understandable. Not everyone enjoys being a DIYer, either due to time constraints or simply because they don’t like it.

Installing a dishwasher is a mid- to advanced-level DIY task, depending on who you ask. If there are additional accommodations needed, you’ll need to take those into account (more on that later).

However, it can save you a lot of money if you’re willing to do the work. Consider the labor costs you won’t have to pay to someone else. Most dishwasher installations cost between $110 and $270, with the average price being $189. These costs can be worth it if you simply don’t want to tackle the task yourself, but the cost savings are real.

Think about what you could do with that money instead. You could potentially buy additional appliances like a toaster, a slow cooker, an air fryer, etc. for the cost someone would charge you to install your new dishwasher.

How long should you expect to spend on dishwasher installation? It should take approximately one to two hours, depending on how quickly you can go through the steps. Granted, a video tutorial will likely speed up the process if you’re new, especially if the model shown is similar or identical to yours. Take a look at the video below for more information.

What You Should Know Before Installing a Dishwasher

The dishwasher you’re installing or replacing must meet the same size criteria as the cabinet in which your appliance will be placed. The vast majority of dishwashers are 24 inches wide, so it’s likely that you’ll be able to fit your desired dishwasher model.

However, if you want to go for a larger size, your cabinets will need to be modified, which requires carpentry work that we can’t delve into today as that’s an entirely new can of worms.

It’s also possible that you may have to do more work than you anticipated. Sometimes additional flooring layers can be in place that prevent the dishwasher from easily sliding out. If that’s the case, the flooring or countertop covering the dishwasher will need to be removed. If you’re not comfortable doing that, it’s best to consult a professional to avoid frustration or accidental damage.

Once you’re ready, you can proceed with the steps below to remove the old dishwasher and install the new one.

Gather Your Tools and Materials

First, you’ll need the right tools to get started. If you don’t already have these tools, be sure to purchase them in advance.

In total, you’ll need six tools and four materials.

Tools:

• Pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• Hacksaw
• Screwdriver set
• Safety goggles
• Forstner bit
• Drill with interchangeable bits (optional but recommended)

Materials:

• Dishwasher parts
• The dishwasher itself
• Dishwasher connector
• Wire connectors and wire clamps

You can find these tools at your local home improvement stores like Home Depot or online retailers like Amazon. Be sure to purchase the right ones and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re not entirely sure about buying the correct tools/parts.

Remove the Old Dishwasher

Before you can do anything, you’ll need to clear out the old dishwasher. Assuming additional flooring layers don’t block the removal of the appliance, this is a relatively straightforward process.

You’ll find the power and water connections underneath the dishwasher, and to access them, you’ll need to remove the panel on the lower front of the unit.

But before you do anything, make sure the appliance is turned off. Test it with a voltage tester like this TACKLIFE AC Voltage Tester Pen for safety purposes. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure the water supply is also turned off. Once you’ve confirmed both are disabled, we can proceed.

In addition to interrupting the power and water supply to the dishwasher, you’ll also need to disconnect the two fill lines and the drain line underneath the sink. Once you’ve done that, you can remove the front panel of the dishwasher by unscrewing all the hinges and disconnecting the power cables. From there, simply unscrew the toe kick to remove it.

Once you have access to the inside of the dishwasher, cut off the electrical wires connected at the back of the unit and disconnect the fill lines and drain from the bottom of the dishwasher.

The electrical wires, drain, and fill lines can be used with the new machine, so if they’re undamaged, it’s best to leave them in place so you can connect them to the dishwasher you’re installing.

From here, simply loosen the cabinet mounting screws, and the dishwasher should slide right out of the cabinet.

Before proceeding, it’s important to check the fill lines + drain for any cracks. These should be replaced if damaged or you risk unwanted leaks.

Prepare the New Dishwasher

Dishwasher manufacturers try to make their devices as quiet as possible. One way they achieve this is by having an insulation layer wrapped around the machine. If you didn’t know this was supposed to be here, it looks like something that needs to be removed, but leave it in place. It will help dampen any rattling during the dishwasher’s operation and silence all the technology going on inside.

To start preparing the dishwasher for installation, lay the dishwasher back very carefully. Ask for help if you need it since you don’t want to slam and potentially damage your expensive purchase before it even cleans your first set of dishes.

Next, remove the panel located at the bottom of the machine and attach the angle pieces to both the fill valve and drain lines. To create a seal, wrap the connection points in Teflon tape. You should wrap the tape in a clockwise direction to prevent it from loosening when connecting the elbow joint.

It’s a good idea to have the elbow joints facing the front of the appliance, just in case you need to service the dishwasher later on or if you get a different dishwasher.

Install the New Dishwasher

At this point, you’re almost done. You just need to reconnect everything and fit the dishwasher into its cabinet.

Reattach the water and power supply lines. From here, you can stand the dishwasher back upright and begin sliding it into the cabinet (and remember to ask for help if it’s too heavy).

Insert the fill lines as the dishwasher slides back and the drain in the area underneath the sink. You may need to adjust the dishwasher’s legs if you notice a large gap between the appliance and the top of the cabinet. As long as you purchased the correct size of dishwasher, you shouldn’t have any excessive gaps on the sides.

Next, secure the dishwasher by screwing in the mounting brackets located on top of the unit.

Now you’re officially done! All that’s left to do is turn the water and power back on and start a cycle. You likely won’t hear any noise initially, as dishwashers start with a drain cycle. Once you’ve confirmed everything is working, you can reattach the toe kick and front panel.

Throughout the process, be sure to double-check everything to ensure you’re doing things correctly. There’s no rush here, and it’s best done on a day off when you’re doing it for the first time. It may take a while initially, but it’s worth it in the end if you can avoid inadvertent water damage later on.

Below is a video for you to watch the process:

Tips for DIY Dishwasher Installation

We likely have at least a few people for whom all of this is completely new. As we’ve mentioned before, installing a new dishwasher is not the easiest thing in the world, but it’s doable as long as you follow the instructions. With video tutorials available, the likelihood of something going wrong is reduced.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks, and everyone should try it. Mistakes can have drastic consequences, so it’s important to be aware of these things before diving into it as a beginner. We’re not trying to discourage you (which is why we wrote a guide), but these are just things to consider if you’re still not too confident.

Keep in Mind You Might Void Your Home Insurance

If you have home insurance, it’s important to know what it covers and what it doesn’t. Most people understand that it covers fire, theft, and natural disasters, but there are things it doesn’t cover if it’s your fault.

Dishwashers require a lot of water to operate, and if things are not properly connected, it can go south quickly if your home experiences water damage. In the step-by-step guide above, we’ve emphasized multiple times that pipes and hoses should not have any cracks and elbow joints should be wrapped in Teflon tape. You shouldn’t have any issues as long as you follow these instructions carefully, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Consider Future Repairs

Your dishwasher’s warranty only covers repairs due to a faulty unit or improper installation by a licensed professional.

If you mess up the installation in the end and cause permanent damage down the line, you’ll have to pay for repairs or even a completely new dishwasher out of your own pocket. Essentially, you’ll end up paying more than you would have initially if you had hired a licensed person to do it for you.

Remember when we stressed asking for help when laying the dishwasher during installation? If it accidentally falls and something breaks, that’s entirely on you.

Weigh Whether Saving on Installation Costs Is Really Worth It

As we’ve mentioned, the average cost of installing a dishwasher is about $189, but it can be more or less depending on who’s doing it.

Either way, that’s a decent chunk of money; it may even be almost half the price of the dishwasher itself. If you’ve purchased a more budget-friendly model, there’s a greater incentive to save the money and do it yourself, but still consider what you’re paying for.

• Regained Time: You won’t have to spend much time on this project – after all, time is money. All you have to do is sit back and let someone else do the hard work for you.
• Peace of Mind: The professional installing your dishwasher has likely done it many times and could do it in their sleep. It’s almost guaranteed that the job will be done correctly, and if not, that’s on the company, not you. As long as you choose a reputable company, you should have no issues.
• Quality and Durability: Consider how many years and how often you’ll be using this dishwasher. It’s expected to last about ten years before starting to have issues, and considering that 68% of Americans use their dishwasher six times a week, it’s not difficult to say that it’s not too excessive to spend that additional $189 as bad as it might initially seem.

Sure, you’re shelling out a lot of money for someone to do something you could do, but in the long run, that attached price isn’t so bad for such a useful appliance you can rely on to clean your dishes without fail.

Should You Install Your Dishwasher Yourself?

If you still want to install your dishwasher yourself, go for it! Every pro starts off not knowing anything, but they jump into it because they want to do it. Being a DIYer is a valuable skill that can teach you a lot while saving you money in the long run.

On the other hand, if you’re still saying to yourself, “I’m not so sure about that,” then don’t feel bad about handing over the money to have someone install it for you. There’s a reason there are professionals out there, sure they want your money, but there wouldn’t be a market for them if everyone wanted to be a DIY guru.

Installing a dishwasher requires working with both electricity and plumbing, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – and that’s perfectly fine.

You have an even greater incentive to have a professional do it for you if you’ve paid a lot of money for your appliance. Some very fancy dishwashers can cost over $1000. It should feel exciting for you to get a high-end appliance, not stressful. Plus, the cost gap between the dishwasher and installation costs is significantly larger than with a cheaper model.

In short: do what makes you most comfortable!

Conclusion

Installing a dishwasher can be fun and somewhat challenging. It can also save you expensive installation bills that can reach up to $270. Additionally, you’ll gain confidence in working with plumbing and electricity, which can lead to other DIY home improvement projects down the line.

If you feel uncomfortable with doing it yourself, then there’s nothing wrong with saving time and having peace of mind by hiring a professional. After all, they’re there for a reason, and not everyone will be familiar with the ins and outs of dishwasher installation.