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Dryer Repair or Replace Calculator
Enter your dryer’s age, your repair quote and the price of a comparable new dryer. The calculator applies the half-price rule and adjusts for age and condition.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
This free calculator compares your repair quote with the price of a comparable new dryer, and weighs the dryer’s age, drum condition and repair history, to show whether to repair or replace. It uses the half-price rule of thumb. It runs in your browser and sends nothing anywhere.
Key takeaways
- The half-price rule: a repair near half the cost of a new dryer usually means replace.
- Age, a rusted drum and repeat repairs all push toward replacing.
- Small parts on a sound dryer under about 12 years old usually favor repairing.
- The result is a rule of thumb, not a quote or a diagnosis.
Use the calculator
Fill in the six fields and press the button. You need a written repair quote and the current price of a comparable new dryer, which you can look up in a minute.
Your dryer and your quote
Parts and labor, from a written quote.
Same type: gas or electric, similar size and features.
This runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or stored.
How does the dryer repair or replace calculator work?
It divides your repair quote by the price of a comparable new dryer, then adjusts for the dryer’s age, the drum’s condition, earlier repairs and whether the part is a major one. A repair near half a new dryer’s price, or a rusted drum, points to replacing. A small repair on a sound, younger dryer points to repairing.
How the calculator decides
| Factor | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Repair at or above half the price of a new dryer | A strong push to replace |
| Repair between a third and a half | A mild push to replace |
| Dryer over 15 years old | A strong push to replace |
| Dryer 13 to 15 years old | A mild push to replace |
| A major part (motor, bearing, board) on a dryer 10 years or older | A mild push to replace |
| A rusted, cracked or badly worn drum or cabinet | A strong push to replace |
| Two or more repairs in two years | A strong push to replace |
| One repair in two years | A mild push to replace |
The points are added up. Three or more says replacing is probably smarter, two says borderline, and under two says repairing is probably worth it.
Is the calculator’s answer something I must follow?
No. It is a rule of thumb based on age, cost and condition, not a diagnosis or a quote. A technician can tell you what else is likely to fail soon, which the calculator cannot know. Use the result as a starting point, and ask for the repair price in writing before you decide.
What the calculator cannot know
- Whether the quote is fair: see is this quote fair
- What else is about to fail inside your dryer
- Whether a cheap fix, such as clearing the vent, would solve the problem
- Your budget, your laundry habits and how long you plan to stay in the home
What should I do if the result is borderline?
Ask what else is worn, such as the drum, rollers, motor or bearing, and whether the repair fixes the cause, such as a blocked vent. If the dryer is under about 12 years old and the rest is sound, repairing is reasonable. If several parts are tired, replacing may be smarter. See the repair or replace guide.
Sources
- Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.
Frequently asked questions
Does the calculator store or send my numbers?
No. It runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent to any server or stored. Closing or reloading the page clears it.
Where do I find the price of a comparable new dryer?
Look up a similar model, gas or electric, with a similar size and features, at a retailer you trust, and use today’s price. Include delivery and installation if you would pay for them, so the comparison is fair.
Why does age matter if the repair is cheap?
A cheap repair on an old dryer can still be worth it. Age mostly matters for bigger repairs, because a major part on a dryer near the end of its life may only delay a replacement. The calculator weighs both together.
Does the calculator include the cost of delivery for a new dryer?
No. It compares the repair quote with the price you enter. If you add delivery, installation and haul-away to the new dryer figure, the comparison becomes more realistic, and replacing becomes a little less attractive.
Who should I call for the repair quote?
Any reputable company. Ask for the price in writing, with the part and the warranty named. See how to choose a repair company, and the quote checklist, before you decide.
Get your dryer working again
Call and a person will answer, or request a repair online. You get the full price in writing before any work starts.