Large distance between washer and dryer

3 years ago

I purchased a new-to-me home where the electrical panel is in a code-non-compliant location. It’s blocked by/over the washer and dryer. I want to refresh the electrical panel and am trying to avoid additional holes in the exterior house and limit costs. I’m considering upgrading the electrical panel in the current location and (for code complaince) putting a portable/temporary table between the washer and dryer to get around the code problem. Wondering how this would be viewed in a real estate transaction ten years down the road. From what I can see, the code requires about 30” of space (width) of the electrical panel.

I’m concerned that any decisions I make now are just making the financial implications higher down the road.

Thanks for any feedback.

Featured Answer

Scott Crawford
Original Author

3 years ago

Thanks everyone. I also talked to my agent and asked her opinion. She agrees. Save the $ on the panel replacement. Use it in a code non-compliant manner and when it comes time to sell, stage it to be code compliant. Done.

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Comments (8)

littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
3 years ago
I don’t know anything about code compliance, but I know that unusual space between a washer and dryer would make transferring wet clothes to the dryer a PITA. Wet clothes can be heavy.
morz8 - Washington Coast
3 years ago
I was having a new electrical panel/service put in before selling a house. The only way to make the change in the back porch-turned-heated-laundry room and make it meet code was to remove an upper cabinet, install a stacked pair.

I'd been using a side by side pair there for many years as had the owner before me. The washer partially blocked the door to the electrical panel but it could be opened, a tripped breaker reset if necessary. I'd painted it to match the wall color to 'hide' it.

The change was necessary to add a dishwasher to the service in tiny kitchen. Otherwise the layout would have been grandfathered in.

I put the dryer (lighter to move) in an interior hallway, moved the washer over while the electrical work was inspected. Inspection finished, all went back into place. Hint given me by the electrician. House sold first week.

It sold again about 3 years later. I noticed from the real estate listing photos the washer and dryer were the same pair I'd left when we'd sold - panel still partially blocked by the washing machine.
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armjim
3 years ago
30 inches in between a washer and dryer is not excessive; not ideal but certainly should not be a deal breaker if you decide to keep the current set and sell the house code compliant later. An experienced agent will be able to assess the marketability and you can make changes then, and include the cost into selling expenses at that time.
ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
Will not hurt resale value one bit. How many times do you have to pick a few items out of the washer load to hang dry? It’s easier done on a table than in the washer. Plus, the table will be really handy for folding. I would not give it a second thought.
armjim
3 years ago
I just looked at a house on realtor.com located in Maryland which is pending. In the very spacious LR, the washer is next to a sink on one wall. The dryer is on another wall, across from the washer. The front of the dryer faces the side of the washer. Probably 6 or more feet separate the two. You won't have a problem.
aliris19
3 years ago
"stage" it to "be code compliant"? What's that mean?
Scott Crawford
Original Author
3 years ago
"Stage" it to "be code compliant" means, separating the washer and dryer to provide the necessary clearance for the electrical panel and putting a movable table in the gap with laundry detergent/accessories.