How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost?
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A broken-down appliance can throw off a household’s daily flow, so having it repaired quickly is usually top priority for homeowners. The average appliance repair cost falls between $107 and $247, with an average cost of $176.
Highlights
- Appliance repair has a typical cost range of $107 to $247, with a national average cost of $176.
- The cost of appliance repair can depend on the type and location of the appliance, its energy source, and the cost of labor.
- If a resident noticed that their appliance is leaking, making excessive noise, failing to properly function, or using more energy than usual, they may need to hire an appliance repair technician.
- Residents may be able to make minor appliance repairs themselves, but it’s advisable to hire a professional for more difficult repairs. A professional has expertise and access to discounted parts, and can complete the repair safely.
The average two-person household has just under 14 appliances. While this offers plenty of convenience, it also leaves room for expensive repair bills should one or more of them start to malfunction or break down. According to HomeAdvisor, the national average appliance repair cost is $176, with a typical range of $107 to $247. Several factors can influence the final repair bill, including the appliance type, how difficult it is to service, and what energy source it uses.
Homeowners can estimate their own appliance repair cost and break down average appliance repair costs by the most common types of appliances found in American homes today.
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Factors in Calculating Appliance Repair Cost
When an appliance is on the fritz, having an estimate of what it will cost to get it back up and running can help a homeowner appropriately budget and, if necessary, plan for a replacement. The following factors have the most impact when trying to determine an appliance repair estimate.
Appliance Type
The type of appliance in need of repair is usually the biggest factor when trying to determine a repair estimate. For example, it might cost only $100 to get a leaky dishwasher back up and running, while a dryer repair could cost as much as $200. An HVAC system is usually the most expensive to repair, coming in as high as $900. There are a few sub-factors to consider when breaking down repair estimates by appliance type.
First, how many functions does the appliance perform? An appliance that does more than one thing can take more time to diagnose than one that has only a single function. The number of components within an appliance can also affect how much it will cost to repair it. With more potential faulty parts, it may take longer to diagnose the problem. Finally, how common is the appliance? Since multiple appliance repair professionals will be familiar with the most common appliance repairs, homeowners should be able to find competitive rates. Parts for typical household appliances are also likely to be easy to find and more affordable compared with rare appliances that have minimal available replacement parts and service providers who charge more as a specialty service.
Appliance Location
The harder it is to access a broken appliance, the more it could cost to repair it. First, there could be more prep work needed before the repair can begin. For example, a refrigerator built into a kitchen’s cabinet layout will be more difficult to move for a repair than a freestanding refrigerator. The same concept applies to a microwave or oven.
The second reason appliance location affects repair cost is how the process is approached physically. While a repair professional can likely repair a dishwasher or air conditioner in a comfortable manner, less accessible appliances can require some flexibility. This is especially true for older homes where modern-day appliances, like water heaters and HVAC systems, have been installed in compact spaces. If an appliance repair professional needs to crouch or cram their way into a space to repair an appliance, the repair estimate is likely to be higher.
Energy Source
Different energy sources can influence an appliance repair service call cost. As a general rule of thumb, electric appliances tend to cost the least to repair. Gas appliances tend to cost about 20 percent more to repair than their electric counterparts. This is because parts tend to be more expensive and technicians need more skill and experience to work on gas, as it carries a higher risk of danger.
Homeowners can expect to pay an average of $240 to have an appliance repaired that uses electricity as its source of energy. For the same appliance powered by gas, the average repair price jumps up to $330. If an appliance uses more than one energy source, the cost to repair it can be higher as well.
How much does it cost to fix an appliance powered by solar energy? Homeowners should know that repair techs tend to charge more in labor when working on solar-powered appliances. In fact, hourly labor fees may be as high as $200 for a solar-powered appliance, making the average repair cost, including labor, around $420.
Labor
Labor costs tend to make up the bulk of appliance repair costs. All appliance repair techs charge for labor, but how they charge can vary. Some may charge by the hour, while others choose to go with a flat fee. Homeowners should also be aware of emergency-repair fees that can quickly grow an appliance repair cost estimate.
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When it comes to hourly labor fees, repair techs typically charge between $50 and $150 per hour. This isn’t including service charge fees, which typically cost homeowners between $50 and $100 and cover travel time and gas.
A flat fee typically runs between $50 and $200. However, most repair techs only use this type of fee if the job is smaller or very specific. Repair jobs with a larger scope are more likely to be charged by the hour.
Additional Costs and Considerations
While the previously listed factors have the most influence on the final cost of appliance repair, there are a few other variables homeowners should take into account. These include potential emergency-repair fees, maintenance costs, and whether it’s more cost efficient to replace an appliance rather than repair it.
Emergency-Repair Fees
Emergency-repair fees are reserved for those middle-of-the-night scenarios or when an appliance needs to be immediately fixed, such as when an air conditioner goes out in the middle of a heat wave or over the weekend. These fees can raise the cost of an appliance repair significantly. Emergency-repair fees are typically between $50 and $200, depending on time and day. For example, an emergency repair at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday is likely to have a lower emergency fee than a 1 a.m. emergency repair over a weekend.
Repair vs. Replacement
Repairing an appliance can save a homeowner money—most of the time. But sometimes replacing an appliance makes more financial sense. While it may seem like replacing a unit would cost more than a repair, there are a few factors homeowners should consider.
First, continually fixing an old appliance that just can’t keep up can add up to more in repairs than a new appliance would cost brand new from the store. There’s also the cost to operate the appliance. One that keeps breaking down is likely outdated and probably costs more to operate than a new energy-efficient or water-saving appliance.
Another potential possibility to consider is when a repair costs more than a replacement from the get-go. As an example, a difficult repair to a microwave could end up costing more than a replacement appliance. It only makes sense in this scenario to go with a replacement, and a good repair tech should be transparent about the cost difference between the two.
On the other hand, replacing appliances built into a custom space can be difficult. Built-in double ovens or refrigerators may not conform to a standard size. In these situations, repairing a malfunctioning appliance can make more sense since it won’t require renovations to accommodate a replacement in a different size.
As a good rule of thumb, homeowners should strongly consider repair when the cost is less than half of the cost of a new appliance.
Refinishing
Refinishing an appliance is an optional process that can breathe new life into an old appliance. It’s not an ideal choice for an appliance that’s starting to show signs of breaking down, but when it comes to a cosmetic face-lift, refinishing is an option that should be considered (though it will increase the price of a standard repair job).
It costs between $150 and $1,300 to refinish an appliance, depending on the appliance type, materials used, and whether the upgrade requires the appliance to be removed. Homeowners may consider this option when bringing an appliance up to date with their decor, making an old appliance look brand new, or changing the appearance of an appliance to match the others in the home. Some homeowners choose to refinish their appliances for eco-friendly reasons. If an appliance is still in good shape, choosing to refinish it can keep it out of a landfill without compromising the decor of a room.
Refinishing can be an affordable option for homeowners in search of an upgrade, as long as the unit is in good condition. But if an appliance is struggling or needs major repairs, replacement could be the better choice.
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Maintenance
Choosing a maintenance plan is an additional up-front cost for homeowners, falling between $100 and $300 a year. This type of plan provides service for laundry and kitchen appliances, which are some of the most important in a home. With routine cleaning, inspections, and tune-ups, appliances are more likely to last to at least or beyond their expected lifetime.
Under some maintenance plans, the cost of labor for repairs is also covered. With a maintenance plan, homeowners may extend the life of appliances, spot the need for repairs before serious issues (like water damage) happen, and save money when repairs are necessary.
Warranties
How much does appliance repair cost? It depends on whether or not an extended warranty was purchased for the unit in question. An extended warranty is an additional up-front cost when purchasing an appliance, but having a valid warranty can minimize repair costs should an appliance break down.
It may help homeowners to know that some appliances benefit more from a warranty than others. Appliances that are used the most and would have the biggest impact on a family’s daily routine should have a warranty when possible, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine.
Home warranty policies are also an option when appliances were originally purchased by someone else (e.g., previous homeowners). The average annual home warranty cost is $600. A general rule of thumb for homeowners to remember about warranties is to choose options from some of the best home warranty companies (such as American Home Shield or AFC Home Club) that cover both parts and labor for at least 5 years of an appliance’s life.
Repair Cost by Type of Appliance
With so many variables and factors to consider when trying to estimate the repair cost of a broken-down appliance, it can be difficult for homeowners to come up with an accurate range. To make it easier to budget for potential repairs, here are average appliance repair costs by type.
Refrigerator
A refrigerator on the fritz can be a serious problem. If food is spoiling quickly, not staying cold, or getting too cold, it’s likely in need of repair. Other signs of a malfunctioning refrigerator include water pooling around the unit, loud noises, or a compressor that won’t shut off.
Refrigerator repair costs an average of $350. There are multiple areas and components within a refrigerator that can need repair, though. Fixing a door seal or thermostat can cost around $200. Pulling out a dent will also run about $200. Units with automatic ice makers in need of repair typically rack up a repair bill between $150 and $250.
Another factor to consider is whether the refrigerator is a stand-alone model or built into a kitchen design, especially when a replacement is needed. It can be difficult to find a replacement that’s exactly the right size with a built-in.
In general, side-by-side refrigerators should be replaced rather than repaired once they reach 8 years old. The good news is that new models are typically more energy efficient. So despite the up-front costs of replacing a refrigerator, there are savings on energy bills for homeowners to enjoy.
Freezer
A freezer that’s building up excess ice, making loud noises, or not running properly needs the expertise of an appliance repair tech.
A typical freezer repair bill runs between $100 and $300, depending on the type and size of the freezer and what the issue is. Homeowners should know that portable freezers tend to be the least expensive to repair, while a drawer or display model with glass doors tends to cost more.
Less expensive issues include thermostat replacement or small dent fixes. But if a freezer needs a new control panel, the repair cost is likely to be much higher. The most common issue with freezers is a broken evaporator fan motor. These cost between $200 and $250 to repair.
The good news is that freezers tend to last longer than refrigerators and many other kitchen appliances since they tend to be opened less (compared to a refrigerator or microwave).
Ice Maker
Rather than a refrigerator with an ice maker for ice, some homeowners opt to have a portable ice maker. These units can make ice anywhere there’s an outlet. They also work quickly with no draining or water line installation needed. With room for storage and the option to make a variety of ice types, they’re ideal for those who don’t want to replace a refrigerator without an ice dispenser or add a water line to a kitchen or space without one. They’re also perfect for those who need to make a lot of ice very quickly, like after a surgery, or when cold drinks are a must but aren’t easy to accomplish.
But like all appliances, an ice maker can break down. The average repair cost is $200, but it depends on the issue. For example, repairing a water inlet valve can cost between $150 and $200. Repairing a motor can be a bit more expensive and can run up to $350. An ice maker that’s producing odd-tasting ice might need a new filter, which can be as low as $85 to replace.
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