Why Appliance Installation Costs More Than You Think in Massachusetts

A customer emailed me, and we later spoke.

He said our wall oven installation price seemed high.

His contractor friends agreed; they thought it was expensive. Then something unexpected happened.

I understand installation, having started the department almost 40 years ago.

In this article, I’ll explain how installation really works, why so few companies offer it, and what an average installation costs.

📌Skip Ahead:

• First Things First: DIY vs. Professional Installation
• Why Installation Costs What It Does
• Why So Few Companies Offer Installation
• Why We Install Appliances
• What Appliance Installation Really Costs
• Key Takeaways

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First Things First: DIY vs. Professional Installation

The truth is, if you can safely install a wall oven, dishwasher, or other appliance yourself, it will always cost less than hiring someone.

The trade-off is your time and the risk if something goes wrong.

For water-based appliances like dishwashers, you must be extremely careful.

A small mistake in the connection can flood your kitchen, damage floors, and lead to a repair bill many times higher than the installation cost.

Why Installation Costs What It Does

The customer’s contractor friends thought our price was high, but none offered to help.

There’s a reason. Installing an appliance isn’t just sliding a box into a space.

You need three kinds of insurance before you even step inside a home:

• Truck insurance in case something happens on the road
• Workers’ compensation in case someone gets hurt moving a 300-pound oven
• Liability coverage in case a cabinet, countertop, or floor is damaged

Then there are the people. To send someone into your home, they must be highly competent, well trained, and properly compensated.

One wrong cut in a cabinet or a poor water connection can cost thousands and damage our reputation.

So the act of installing the oven isn’t the expensive part.

What costs money is having the right team, backed by the right insurance, trained to do it right the first time.

Why So Few Companies Offer Installation

Most independent dealers no longer have installation departments. It requires extensive training, substantial insurance, and offers little profit.

Big-box stores usually outsource installation to third parties.

Sometimes that works out, but the crucial step is checking reviews, specifically about installation.

Search Google Reviews for “installation” under the company name and see what real customers say.

When you evaluate providers, look for:

• Trained, in-house teams
• Proper insurance
• Evidence they arrive prepared

Those details make the difference.

At Yale Appliance, we’ve grown to 10 dedicated installation teams just to cover Greater Boston.

That’s how much demand there is, and how few qualified people are actually doing this work.

Like the gentleman whose contractor friends wouldn’t help with his wall oven, you’ll quickly find there aren’t many people willing or qualified to do this.

That’s why you need to check credentials carefully before anyone walks into your home.

Why We Install Appliances

You might wonder why Yale Appliance installs appliances when so many companies avoid it. The reason is simple.

There is a need, and it’s the only way to sell appliances the right way.

Most industries make their money on service. With appliances, it’s the opposite.

We earn profit on the product and hope to break even on the services around it - delivery, installation, and service.

None of these are profit centers. They’re expensive and complicated to do well. But without them, we can’t sell the product.

• Delivery gets the appliance to your home.
• Installation ensures it fits and works.
• Service keeps it running for years.

Without those three, we’re just selling boxes.

At Yale Appliance, we’re in the business of kitchens that actually work.

What Appliance Installation Really Costs

Now that you know why installation pricing looks the way it does, here is what you can expect in Greater Boston, Cape Cod, and Southern NH:

The average installation cost is about $425 without modifications.

When It Costs More or Less

Most straightforward installs stay close to the average.

Prices rise if your project needs extra work:

• Non-Granite Countertop Modification: $199.99
• Granite Countertop Modification: $349.99
• Cabinetry Modifications: $249.99
• Plumber Required: Adds $449.99

At the high end, a six-panel built-in refrigerator can take most of a day with multiple installers. That is where the $699 figure comes in.

At the low end, Sub-Zero refrigerators are among the simplest. Their design makes them much easier to install, often costing only $99.

How Do You Know Exactly?

You might think wall oven installations are similar. However, the cabinetry and electrical can vary considerably.

So we charge $199 to send an installer to look at your home and inspect the appliance, cabinet, or countertop, so you and I know exactly what’s needed.

You will receive an exact quote based on your unique situation.

That $199 is refunded when we install your appliances.

We do not refund the $199 if you choose someone else (not that it happens very much). But you will save that because the installer will know exactly what’s involved.

🔍Read more: The Hidden Costs of Luxury Appliances

By the Numbers

• 13,000+ appliances installed by Yale Appliance each year
• 10 dedicated installation teams across Boston, Cape Cod, Southern NH, and Rhode Island
• $425 average installation cost without modifications
• $99 Sub-Zero install at the low end
• $699 six-panel built-in refrigerator install at the high end
• 40+ years of installation experience

Key Takeaways

• DIY is cheaper if you can do it safely, but the risk of leaks or bad cabinet cuts makes professional installation worth considering.
• Installation isn’t expensive compared to the real costs of insurance, liability, and training qualified teams.
• The average installation cost is about $425 without modifications.
• Sub-Zero refrigerators are among the least expensive installs at $99, while six-panel built-ins are the most costly at $1,699.
• You’re not paying to slide an appliance into place—you’re paying for the peace of mind that comes with a trained, insured team who does it right the first time.

Additional Resources

Want more information on the worst renovation mistakes to avoid? Get the Free Appliance Buying Guide to learn how to avoid a renovation failure. Well over 1 million people have read and trusted a Yale Guide.

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