We could use some advice. Our new dishwasher has instructions to hardwire it in. The contractor put in a standard dedicated circuit grounded outlet. Our fault - we didn't know dishwashers could not have plugs.

What is the best way to go about installing this then? Can the existing wiring feeding the outlet be used or do we need to bring up new wires from the basement? The outlet is not needed and is inaccessible once the dw is in anyway. Can we just install a plug head onto the DW wires so that it can be plugged in?

An answer from my DH ~ the electrician *smiles*:

okies, there's basically 2 ways you ca go about this... well, 3 if you want to try to route more wires up from the basement... ;)

the two easiest ways are to either do what you already suggested, and stick a plug on it, or to disconnect the wiring from the outlet that was installed, and splice the wiring from the outlet to the wiring of the dishwasher.

the quickest would prolly be to stick a plug onto the dishwasher wiring. just make sure to get a plug that will handle the amount of electricity the dishwasher uses. if you go somewhere like Lowe's or Home Depot, or your local hardware or electrical store, they can help you to find the right plug.

the wire splice idea is a bit slower to do, and requires you or whoever is hooking it up to lay there on the floor for a few minutes longer, and requires that they know how to use wirenuts, and the right way to strip a wire to be used for wirenuts.

odds are, the plug idea is what will appeal to you more, as it is quickest, and by far the easiest. it also doesn't require you to find the circuit breaker for the outlet, and turn it off. not to mention, that in the future, the next dishwasher that goes in will go in just as easily as this one. i hope that i am able to shed some light on the question you are asking .

Thank you for taking the time to answer this!
Very helpful; he did end up attaching an insulated plug head.