TL;DR — Tumble Dryer Repair Cost At A Glance
- Most tumble dryer repairs cost £60–£250 inc VAT, rising to £90–£300 in London and the South East.
- The type of fault sets the price — a blocked filter or drive belt is cheap; a motor or control board sits at the top of the range.
- A diagnostic call-out is £50–£80, usually waived or discounted if the repair goes ahead.
- Labour is roughly £50–£130; parts range from £10 for a drive belt to £200 for a control board (PCB).
- Heat pump dryers cost more to repair than vented or condenser models, as parts and diagnostics are more involved.
- Repair-or-replace rule of thumb: if the dryer is 7–8+ years old and needs a major part, or the repair tops half the price of a new one, replacement is often better value.
Get a fixed price for a tumble dryer repair — check prices and book online or arrange a visit from a vetted, insured appliance engineer.
How Much Does A Tumble Dryer Repair Cost In 2026?
Repairing a tumble dryer in the UK costs £60–£250 inc VAT for most faults, rising to £90–£300 in London and the South East. Quick jobs — a blocked filter, a faulty door switch or a snapped drive belt — sit at the bottom of the range, while motor and control-board faults use dearer parts and more labour, so they climb towards the top.
The bill combines labour (the engineer's time plus the call-out or diagnostic fee) and parts. The dryer type also matters: vented and condenser models are generally cheaper to repair, while heat pump dryers — increasingly common because they are cheaper to run — carry higher part and diagnostic costs when something goes wrong.
Here is what a tumble dryer repair typically costs across the UK:
| Type of repair | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic / call-out (often waived if repair proceeds) | £50–£80 | £70–£100 |
| Minor repair (blocked filter, door switch, thermostat) | £60–£100 | £80–£120 |
| Heating element replacement | £70–£120 | £90–£150 |
| Drive belt replacement | £80–£120 | £100–£150 |
| Major repair (motor, control board) | £120–£250 | £150–£300 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the fault, the dryer type and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Tumble Dryer Repair Cost By Part
The failed component decides most of the cost. Labour is usually £50–£130, with the part added on top. These are typical replacement-part prices and the fault each one solves:
| Part / fault | What it fixes | Typical part price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Lint filter | Poor drying, overheating cut-outs | £10–£25 |
| Drive belt | Drum not turning, loud rattling | £10–£30 |
| Thermostat / thermistor | Not heating, over-heating, cutting out | £20–£40 |
| Door seal / gasket | Warm air escaping, poor drying | £20–£40 |
| Heating element | No heat, clothes still damp | £30–£60 |
| Motor | Drum won't turn, humming, burning smell | £80–£150 |
| Control board (PCB) | Error codes, dead display, won't start | £100–£200 |
The most common tumble dryer complaint is "not heating", which usually comes down to a failed heating element, thermostat or thermistor — all mid-range fixes. A blocked lint filter or vent hose is the cheapest fault of all, and often the cause of poor performance, so it is always worth checking first.
Repair Or Replace? When It's Worth Fixing
A repair is usually cheaper than a new dryer, but age and fault size shift the balance. Most tumble dryers last 8–12 years. The 50% rule applies well here: if the repair would cost more than half the price of a comparable new dryer, replacing it is usually the better call.
If a dryer is already 7–8 years or older and needs a motor or control board, spending £120–£300 can be poor value when the appliance may develop the next fault soon after. This is even more true for older vented models — a modern heat pump dryer is far cheaper to run, so replacing an ageing energy-hungry dryer can pay back over time. On the other hand, a younger dryer with a snapped belt, blocked filter or failed heating element is well worth fixing, as parts are cheap and the machine has years left. If it is still under warranty, always use that route first, since a DIY or unauthorised repair can invalidate the cover.
What Affects The Cost Of A Tumble Dryer Repair?
What Affects The Cost Of A Tumble Dryer Repair?
Several factors decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. The Type Of Fault
The main driver. Filters, belts and thermostats are quick, low-cost fixes. Motors and control boards need more labour and pricier parts, so they sit at the top.
2. The Dryer Type
Vented and condenser dryers are generally cheaper to repair. Heat pump dryers have more complex components, so both parts and diagnostic time cost more.
3. Parts And Brand
Genuine manufacturer parts cost more than universal equivalents, and premium or integrated models can carry higher part prices and longer fitting times.
4. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, because of higher labour and travel costs.
5. Call-Out And Diagnostic Fees
Most engineers charge £50–£80 to attend and diagnose, usually deducted from the final bill if the repair proceeds. Always confirm before booking.
6. Integrated Vs Freestanding
Built-in dryers take longer to remove from and refit into the kitchen, adding labour compared with a freestanding model.
What's Included — And What's Not
| Typically included in a repair quote | Usually charged separately |
|---|---|
| The engineer's labour for diagnosis and repair | Replacement parts (unless the quote is "parts and labour") |
| The call-out or diagnostic fee (often waived or discounted if the repair proceeds) | Premium genuine-brand components |
| Basic consumables such as clips and connectors | A return visit if a part has to be ordered in |
| A short workmanship guarantee on the repair | Disposal of the old dryer if you decide to replace it |
Ask for a fixed, itemised quote stating whether parts are included, so the final bill is exactly what you were told.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Several tumble dryer basics are safe to handle yourself: cleaning the lint filter after every load, emptying the condenser water tank, clearing the condenser unit, and checking the vent hose is not blocked or kinked on a vented model. These simple steps cure many "not drying properly" and overheating complaints and prevent fire risk.
Leave the heating element, motor, thermostats and control board to a professional. These involve dismantling the machine and working near mains electricity, and a poor repair can be dangerous as well as costly — a badly fitted heating element is a genuine fire hazard. A DIY attempt can also void any remaining warranty. If the fault is not obvious, a diagnostic visit confirms it before you spend on parts.
How To Save Money On A Tumble Dryer Repair
- Clean the lint filter every cycle — it is the single best way to prevent faults and keep drying efficient.
- Do the simple checks first — filter, vent hose and condenser — before booking a visit.
- Book a fixed-price repair rather than an open-ended hourly rate.
- Choose a firm that waives the call-out fee when the repair proceeds.
- Describe the symptoms accurately (not heating, not turning, error code) so the engineer arrives with the likely part.
- Bundle appliances — if your washing machine or dishwasher also needs work, one visit spreads the call-out.
How To Hire A Good Appliance Engineer
Choose an engineer who is insured, provides a written, fixed quote, and backs the work with a guarantee. Read reviews, ask whether the diagnostic fee is deducted from the final bill, and confirm whether genuine or universal parts will be used. For heat pump dryers, check they are experienced with that dryer type, as the components differ from vented and condenser models.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured appliance engineers, transparent pricing and online booking — describe the fault and get a price up front.
Dryer Taking Too Long, Making Strange Noises or Not Heating at All?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Tumble Dryer In The UK?
Most tumble dryer repairs cost £60–£250 inc VAT, rising to £90–£300 in London. The fault, the dryer type and your location decide the final price.
Why Is The Tumble Dryer Not Heating?
The usual causes are a failed heating element, thermostat or thermistor — all mid-range repairs — or a blocked lint filter and vent restricting airflow. Checking the filter and vent first can save a call-out.
Are Heat Pump Dryers More Expensive To Repair?
Yes. Heat pump dryers have more complex components than vented or condenser models, so both parts and diagnostic time tend to cost more. They are, however, much cheaper to run day to day.
Is It Worth Repairing A Tumble Dryer Or Replacing It?
If the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new dryer, and the appliance is already 7–8 years old, replacement is usually better value — especially if trading an old vented model for an efficient heat pump one. Cheaper faults on newer dryers are worth fixing.
What Are The Signs A Tumble Dryer Needs Repairing?
Clothes still damp after a full cycle, the drum not turning, loud rattling, burning smells, overheating cut-outs, or error codes all point to a fault. A burning smell means switching off and calling an engineer promptly.
How Long Does A Tumble Dryer Repair Take?
Most repairs are completed in a single visit of one to three hours. If a part must be ordered in, a short second visit fits it once it arrives.
Does Cleaning The Filter Really Prevent Repairs?
Yes. A clogged lint filter is one of the most common causes of poor drying and overheating, and it is a genuine fire risk. Cleaning it after every load prevents many avoidable faults.
Sources (market research, 2026): Housekeep, Checkatrade, MyBuilder, MyJobQuote and regional appliance-repair providers. All prices are indicative market ranges and should be verified against Fantastic Services' live pricing before publication.
