American fridge freezer installation cost

Love the idea of a fridge freezer with a huge storage capacity? Or how about extra features such as ice makers, water dispensers, door alarms and a fast-freeze function?  If so, an American-style fridge freezer could be just what you’re looking for.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average American fridge freezer installation cost, plus other tips and info to get your new appliance safely into place in your kitchen.

How much does American fridge freezer installation cost?

The cost of installing a new American-style fridge freezer varies depending on a few key factors. It could be in the region of £40 – £110, but this can change depending on the complexity of the installation.

At the lower end, £40 would cover basic and quick disconnection of the old appliance and simple reconnection of the new one. There will likely also be a cost of approximately £20 to remove and recycle the old fridge freezer.

At the higher end, some installations may require a plumber to find a new water connection, as well as involve basic materials such as pipes and valves. This could take up to 3 hours to complete.

If any additional joinery or kitchen modifications need to be made to accommodate your new fridge freezer, such as new flooring or modifying cabinetry, this work would be at an additional cost.

Fridge freezer installation costs can also depend on the size and model of the appliance, as well as where you live (for example, installation prices in London can be higher).

To get an accurate cost, we recommend contacting three tradespeople so you can compare quotes.

How long does it take to install a fridge freezer?

It normally should take a few hours and no longer than a day, but it will depend on the complexity of the installation and if it requires complex plumbing. It is important to note that once your fridge freezer has been delivered it needs to sit for a few hours before it is plugged in to ensure that the gas coolant has settled.

Do you need to plumb in a fridge freezer?

Whether or not plumbing work is required depends on the type of fridge freezer you’ve chosen.

In most cases, you shouldn’t need to plumb in the appliance. But some models with advanced features (such as ice makers and water dispensers) may rely on being plumbed into the water supply. Others can be refilled manually. It should say in the installation instruction manual which is the case, but it’s always worth checking before buying.

Can you use a plumbed-in fridge freezer without plumbing it in?

Before you buy an American-style fridge freezer, take a moment to check whether it’s a non-plumbed or plumbed-in model. If it’s the former, you can position it pretty much anywhere if you have the space available. But for plumbed-in models (usually those with built-in ice and water dispensers), the unit will need to be installed within 1.5 metres of a stop tap or water source.

Do fridges with water dispensers have to be plumbed in?

Not every type of American fridge freezer with a filtered water or ice dispenser will need to be plumbed in. Some can be topped up manually. This makes this type easier to install, as you can position them anywhere and no plumbing work is required.

You should also think about how often you’ll use the water/ice dispenser feature. If it’s a lot, you might not want to be refilling manually all the time. In this case, opting for a plumbed-in fridge freezer could be the more suitable option.

For either type, it’s important to think about ongoing costs before you buy, from electricity and running costs to potential fridge repair work if anything goes wrong.

How do you connect a water supply to a fridge freezer?

Need your new American fridge freezer connecting to the mains water supply? It’s time to call in a plumbing professional.

They’ll find a cold water source and use a refrigerator water line installation kit (usually supplied) and other professional tools to plumb in the appliance.

Key takeaways

1. Non-plumbed American fridge freezers can be positioned anywhere with a power point – making them more versatile.
2. Want fancy features like a water/ice dispenser? Double-check before buying whether your fridge freezer needs to be plumbed in.
3. Always have plumbing work carried out by a plumbing professional – otherwise, you could end up with leaks and an incorrectly installed fridge.