Hi -

Just moved in. The house has a gas dryer hookup. We of course have
an electric dryer.

I did notice a heavy duty socket on the wall. It looks a lot like a
NEMA TT30
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_co..._TT.E2.80.9330)
but with vertical slots instead of the 45 degree angled slots. The
house was build in the early 80's. Any ideas at all on what this
could be? Any chance of hooking a dryer to it?

Not too hopeful. But I thought it's worth asking. Short of using
that outlet, what should I expect to pay a contractor to run a proper
250V socket? The garage is finished.

Thanks!
Brian