Dishwasher Repair Cost in Ottawa & Gatineau

A dishwasher is a small appliance built into a large one: your kitchen. That is the first thing to understand about its repair cost. Several of the most common dishwasher repairs, including the drain pump, the wash motor and the water inlet valve, are reached from underneath, and on many installations that means unscrewing the dishwasher from the counter, disconnecting it and sliding it out. How easy that is depends on the counter, the floor and the cabinets around it, not only on the machine.

RepairWell publishes one price: the $89 diagnostic, waived when you go ahead with the repair. This page covers what the common dishwasher repairs involve, what moves their cost, what published averages say, and how to judge whether a repair is worth it.

The common dishwasher repairs and what drives each one

Drain problems: clog, hose or pump

A dishwasher that will not drain is more often blocked than broken. Food debris in the filter or sump, a kinked drain hose, a blocked air gap or a clogged disposal connection can all leave standing water. Cleaning the filter is a safe owner check. If the drain pump motor has failed, it is replaced, and that is one of the repairs that may require pulling the unit out.

Wash motor and circulation pump

The circulation pump drives water through the spray arms. When it weakens, dishes come out dirty even though the machine fills and drains; see dishwasher not cleaning. It is among the more expensive dishwasher parts, and the labour is significant.

Heating

Dishwashers heat water for washing and, on many models, for drying. Heating design varies by model, and so does the part and the way it is reached. A heating fault can show up as poor cleaning or as a dishwasher that is not drying, though poor drying also has non-fault causes such as rinse aid and loading.

Door latch, springs and hinges

If the door latch does not confirm it is closed, the dishwasher will not start. Worn door springs or cables make the door drop open. These are usually quick repairs with modestly priced parts; see also dishwasher door not latching.

Water inlet valve and float switch

The inlet valve lets water in; the float or flood switch shuts things down if water collects in the base. A dishwasher that is not filling may have a valve fault or a tripped float. Where the flood switch has tripped, the technician looks for the leak that tripped it.

Leaks, gaskets and the tub

A leaking dishwasher may need a door gasket, a hose clamp, a sump seal or a pump seal. A cracked or rusted-through tub is a different matter; it is rarely worth repairing.

Control board

Boards are only replaced once sensors, switches and wiring are ruled out. Their price is set by the manufacturer and can be a large share of the dishwasher's value.

Why access changes the price

Pulling a built-in dishwasher out is straightforward when it is fastened with two screws and has a clear floor in front. It takes longer when the dishwasher is trapped by flooring installed after it, by a stone counter with side-mount brackets, by a tight toe kick, or by water and drain connections that are hard to reach under the sink. Panel-ready dishwashers with a custom cabinet door add another step. None of that is visible from the symptom, which is one reason we do not quote by phone.

Typical repair, what's involved, cost drivers

Typical repair	What's involved	Cost drivers
Drain clog or kinked hose	Clear filter, sump, hose or air gap; test drain	Where the blockage is, access under the sink
Drain pump	Often pull the unit out, replace pump, reinstall and test	Pull-out access, part price
Circulation pump or wash motor	Pull the unit out, replace pump or motor, reinstall	Part price, labour time, flooring and counter
Heating fault	Test heating circuit, replace the failed part	Heater design on your model, access
Door latch, springs or cables	Open door panel, replace latch or springs	Part price, panel-ready door
Water inlet valve or float switch	Test fill and flood protection, replace the failed part	Access under the unit, finding the underlying leak
Door gasket or sump seal	Replace seal, test for leaks	Which seal, how far the unit must be taken apart
Control board	Confirm fault, replace board	Manufacturer's price, availability

Published cost figures, and how to read them

These figures are third-party published averages. They are not a RepairWell quote, and the US figures are national averages in US dollars that do not convert directly to Ottawa prices.

HomeGuide reports a US national range of US$100 to US$300 for most dishwasher repairs, a service call of US$70 to US$130, and labour of US$50 to US$125 an hour.
Angi reports a US national average of US$225 for standard repairs, with a typical range of US$175 to US$325, and puts a new dishwasher at US$500 to US$1,300 with installation (page updated April 2026).
HomeStars' national Canadian guide says to expect approximately $130 to $260 CAD for a dishwasher repair. We did not find a published Ottawa-specific dishwasher figure.

Repair (published figures, USD)	HomeGuide range	Angi range
Drain pump	US$100–400	US$150–350 (pump)
Motor	US$350–500	US$250–600
Heating element	US$200–350	US$150–300
Control board	US$200–600	US$200–400
Door spring and latch	US$90–160	US$75–175 (latch)
Water inlet valve	US$80–170	not listed
Float switch	US$90–190	not listed
Tub	US$270–650	not listed

Repair or replace: the numbers to run

HomeGuide suggests replacing a dishwasher when the repair costs more than half the price of a new one or the unit is more than 8 years old. Angi says a dishwasher under 8 years old with a repair under 50% of a new unit is usually worth repairing. Consumer Reports reports that more than 20 manufacturers it surveyed expect a dishwasher to last about 10 years, and that about 21% of dishwashers owned by its members broke or stopped working as well as they should within five years.

For dishwashers, the installed cost of replacement matters more than for a freestanding appliance. A new built-in dishwasher has to be connected to water, drain and power, fitted to the opening and fastened, and the old one removed. Compare the repair with that installed figure, not the shelf price. If you do replace, our dishwasher installation page explains what is involved.

On running costs, Natural Resources Canada says ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use about 12% less energy and 30% less water than standard models on average. Useful to know when you choose a replacement; rarely enough on its own to justify one.

How our $89 diagnostic and written quote work

The technician runs the dishwasher, checks fill, wash, heat and drain, and looks at how it is installed. The written finding gives the cause, the price with parts and labour listed separately (including any pull-out and reinstall), and our verdict on whether the repair is worth doing. The $89 is waived if you go ahead, including when the repair is finished on a second visit after a part is ordered. If you decide not to repair, you pay $89 and keep the finding. Repairs carry a 90-day warranty on labour and installed parts.

Questions

How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher in Ottawa?

It depends on the part and on how the dishwasher is installed. HomeStars' Canadian guide suggests about $130 to $260 CAD, and US guides put most repairs between about US$100 and US$325. RepairWell quotes in writing after the $89 diagnostic, which is waived if you go ahead.

Is it worth repairing an 8-year-old dishwasher?

For a latch, a valve, a drain clog or a pump, often yes. For a control board or a tub leak on a dishwasher that age, compare the quote with the installed cost of a new one. Consumer Reports says manufacturers expect about 10 years.

How much does it cost to replace a dishwasher drain pump?

Published US figures are about US$100 to US$400 (HomeGuide) and US$150 to US$350 (Angi). A technician checks for a clog first, because many dishwashers that won't drain are blocked rather than broken.

Why does it cost more to repair a built-in dishwasher?

Because several common parts are reached from underneath, and the dishwasher may have to be unfastened, disconnected and pulled out. Flooring, stone counters and panel-ready doors can add time. The written quote shows that labour separately.

What should I check before booking a dishwasher repair?

Clean the filter, make sure the drain hose under the sink is not kinked, and run the garbage disposal if the dishwasher drains into it. If the door will not latch, check for a dish or rack blocking it. Our problem guides list other safe checks.

Do I pay the $89 if you recommend replacing the dishwasher?

Yes. You pay $89 and keep the written finding, which includes what to look for in a replacement. If you go ahead with a repair instead, the $89 is waived.

Dishwasher repair cost in Ottawa