A dryer that stops heating or takes three cycles to finish a load turns laundry into a daily problem. This page lists independent appliance repair companies serving Columbia and the Howard County area, with companies that list dryer or washer-and-dryer work shown first.
Who Repairs Dryers Near Columbia
Within 30 miles of Columbia there are 40 appliance repair companies in our data. 6 list an address in Columbia, and other nearby bases include Laurel (6), Silver Spring (4), and Burtonsville (3). Distances run up to about 12 miles. 4 list dryer or washer-and-dryer work specifically. The closest is The Fix in The Mall in Columbia, about 1.0 miles away. Across 35 rated companies, the average public rating is 4.6 stars.
We do not show business phone numbers. Call our helpline to be connected with a participating technician, or look a company up directly. Always confirm licensing and insurance.
| List dryer or washer & dryer work | 9 |
|---|---|
| Listing Saturday hours | 42 |
| Mention a major dryer brand | 0 |
| Repair companies inside 30 miles | 60 |
| Distance to the three closest (mi) | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 |
| Rated 4.5 stars or higher (10+ reviews) | 20 |
First up for Columbia: Dexterous Appliance Repair (4.8 miles away, based in Fulton, 4.9 stars from 319 reviews); Mr. Appliance of Howard County (5.6 miles away, based in Ellicott City, 4.7 stars from 1,049 reviews, lists Saturday hours); NT Appliances Repair Service (13.1 miles away, based in Randallstown, 4.9 stars from 83 reviews, lists Saturday hours); TruFix Appliance Repair & Services, LLC (12.5 miles away, based in Silver Spring, 4.8 stars from 240 reviews, lists Saturday hours).
Dryer Problems Worth a Service Call
- Burning or hot smell during a cycle
- Dryer shuts off a few minutes into the cycle
- Clothes still damp after a full cycle
- Squealing, thumping or grinding while it runs
The Usual Dryer Culprits in Columbia
How a Dryer Service Call Usually Goes in Columbia
Dryer Vents and Fire Safety
NFPA identifies failure to clean the dryer as the leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires. Source: NFPA (via U.S. Department of Energy) - Clothes Dryer & Washing Machine Safety
The outside termination should have a backdraft damper and no screen (screens trap lint), and the flap must open when the dryer runs and be kept clear of snow. Source: U.S. DOE Building America Solution Center (PNNL) - Proper Clothes Dryer Venting
Fasten duct joints with clamps or foil tape rather than screws, which protrude into the duct and snag lint. Source: U.S. DOE Building America Solution Center (PNNL) - Proper Clothes Dryer Venting
More: clogged dryer vent warning signs.
What Dryer Repair Costs in Columbia
Most dryer repairs involve a modest part and an hour or so of labor. Reference ranges from published cost guides:
- Drive motor replacement: $250–$450 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Gas valve coil replacement (gas dryer): $150–$300 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Drum belt replacement: $150–$250 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Heating element replacement: $150–$350 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Dryer not heating (repair by symptom): $80–$420 Source: Angi - How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost?
- Appliance technician diagnosis, washer (usually waived if hired for the repair): $50–$100 per visit Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a washing machine?
Replacement makes more sense once a dryer is about 10 years old or past half its expected lifespan. Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
Ranges are published estimates, not quotes. See the dryer repair cost guide and how long dryers last.
Local Notes for Columbia
Most dryer calls in Columbia come down to the same handful of parts: the vent and lint path, the heat source, the belt and rollers, and the door and start switches.
Maryland does not issue a separate appliance repair license; the Maryland Board of Plumbing licenses plumbers, natural gas fitters and propane gas fitters, whose trades cover gas connections. Source: License Requirements - Maryland Board of Plumbing (Maryland Department of Labor)
In Maryland, you can check a license with the Maryland Department of Labor occupational license search (Board of Plumbing) or report a problem to the Maryland Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.
Questions to Ask a Columbia Technician
- What guarantee do you give on parts and labor?
- Will you check the vent and lint path as part of the visit?
- Can you give a written estimate before ordering parts?
Dryer Repair FAQs: Columbia, MD
What should I check before calling?
How much does dryer repair cost in Columbia?
Why do my clothes come out damp?
Is my dryer worth fixing?
Find Your Dryer Brand in Columbia
Dryer Repair in Nearby Cities
Before you call a Columbia technician, check the breaker or gas shutoff, clean the lint screen and look at the vent hood outside. If the dryer still misbehaves, have the model number ready.