Does Home Depot Remove Old Appliances? Policy, Fees & Alternatives [2026]

Home Depot's haul-away service is tied exclusively to new appliance purchases with delivery. When you buy a refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, or range and schedule delivery, you can add haul-away for an additional fee.

The key rules:

• •One-for-one only: Home Depot removes one old appliance for each new one delivered. Buying a new fridge? They will haul away your old fridge. They will not haul away a random old dishwasher that is not being replaced.

• •Must be disconnected: The old appliance must be fully disconnected from water, gas, and electrical before the delivery crew arrives. The crew will not disconnect appliances. This is the most common complaint on Reddit — customers expect the delivery team to handle disconnection, but they refuse.

• •Must be emptied: Refrigerators must be defrosted and emptied. Washers must be drained. No food, clothes, or other items inside.

• •Must be accessible: The crew will not navigate tight stairwells, remove doors from hinges, or move through cluttered spaces to reach the old appliance. If they cannot easily dolly it out, they will leave it.

The cost: Home Depot's haul-away fee is typically $25 per appliance, according to First Quarter Finance research. Some locations charge up to $50 depending on the appliance type and local market. The fee is added at checkout when scheduling delivery.

Reddit threads about Home Depot appliance delivery paint a consistent picture of frustration. The most common complaints:

They refuse to disconnect anything. Multiple Reddit users report paying for haul-away only to have the delivery crew say they cannot disconnect water lines, gas lines, or electrical connections. The Home Depot delivery checklist explicitly states: "All appliances must be empty prior to removal" and requires customers to "ensure the old appliance is disconnected" before arrival.

They sometimes refuse to haul away even when you paid for it. Reports from r/HomeDepot describe crews arriving and claiming the old appliance is "too difficult" to remove — too heavy, wrong angle, too far from the door. The haul-away fee gets refunded, but you are left with the old appliance.

Damage during haul-away. Scratched floors, dented walls, and broken trim are common enough that Reddit's r/Appliances recommends watching the crew carefully and documenting your home's condition before they arrive.

Third-party contractors. Home Depot does not employ its own delivery crews. They contract with third-party logistics companies whose quality varies dramatically by market. One franchise might be excellent, the next terrible — and you do not get to choose which crew shows up.

Home Depot, Lowe's, and Costco all require a new appliance purchase for haul-away service. If your old appliance just needs to go — it is broken, you are moving, or you already bought the replacement elsewhere — here are your standalone options:

Best Buy standalone haul-away ($199): The only major retailer offering appliance removal without a new purchase. They pick up and recycle refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and ranges. The $199 flat rate covers one item regardless of size.

Dropcurb curbside pickup ($79): Get the old appliance to the curb and book online at dropcurb.com. Same-day pickup available. A local hauler with a pickup truck grabs it. Works for any appliance you can move outside — refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, window AC units, microwaves.

1-800-GOT-JUNK ($150–$300+): Full-service removal from inside your home. A two-person crew hauls it out. No price until they arrive and give an on-site quote.

Utility company recycling programs: Some electric utilities offer free pickup for working refrigerators and freezers, plus a $50 rebate. Consumers Energy, for example, pays $50 for working fridges and $15 for each qualifying small appliance. These programs exist because old refrigerators consume significantly more electricity — removing them from the grid benefits the utility.

Scrap metal dealers: Many will pick up large metal appliances for free because the scrap value covers their labor. Call local scrap yards and ask if they do residential appliance pickup. Refrigerators, washers, and dryers contain enough steel to make free pickup worthwhile for many scrap dealers.

Whether Home Depot, Dropcurb, or any other service is picking up your appliance, preparation is the same:

Refrigerators and freezers: Unplug 24 hours before pickup. Remove all food. Defrost if there is ice buildup. Tape the doors shut with painter's tape to prevent swinging during transport. If the refrigerator has a water line for an ice maker, shut off the water valve and disconnect the line.

Washers: Run an empty cycle to drain remaining water. Disconnect water supply hoses from the wall. Unplug the power cord. Stuff towels inside to absorb residual water during transport.

Dryers: Unplug from electrical outlet. For gas dryers, shut off the gas valve and disconnect the gas line — or hire a plumber for $50 to $100 if you are not comfortable with gas connections. Pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the vent hose.

Dishwashers: Turn off the water supply under the sink. Disconnect the drain hose and water supply line. Remove the mounting screws under the counter and slide the dishwasher out. This is the most involved appliance to disconnect — many people hire a handyman for $75 to $125.

Ranges and ovens: Unplug electric ranges. For gas ranges, shut off the gas supply valve and disconnect the flexible gas connector. Again, consider a professional for gas disconnections.

Here is the true cost of each option when you factor in the total out-of-pocket expense:

Home Depot haul-away with purchase: $25 to $50 added to your appliance purchase. You handle disconnection. Cheapest option but only available when buying new.

Costco haul-away with purchase: Free with appliance delivery — included in the purchase price. Same disconnection requirements. Best value if you are already buying from Costco.

Dropcurb curbside pickup: $79 flat rate. You disconnect and move the appliance to the curb. No purchase required. Same-day available.

Best Buy standalone: $199 flat rate. You disconnect, they haul from inside. No purchase required. Most expensive retail option.

1-800-GOT-JUNK: $150 to $300+ depending on the on-site quote. They haul from inside your home. Price premium covers two-person crew entering your space.

Utility recycling program: Free plus $50 rebate — but only for working fridges and freezers, only in participating utility service areas, and scheduling often takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Scrap metal dealer: Free pickup for large metal appliances. Call around — availability varies by area. Not all dealers do residential pickups.