How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost?

Every single appliance in our households has a lifespan. Throughout this lifespan, a single appliance may also require numerous repairs in order to maintain optimal functionality. However, appliance repairs can get extremely costly at times. Most homeowners decide to purchase the best home warranty contract available to them precisely for this reason. But how much does appliance repair cost, exactly, what are the most common appliance problems, and is it worth fixing your appliance? This article will answer all of those questions, and more!

How much does appliance repair cost?

It is practically impossible to know the repair cost of every single appliance. However, what we can look at is the average repair cost based on the appliance type.

Here is a quick breakdown:

• Oven – $300 average repair cost
• Dishwasher – $220 average repair cost
• Microwave – $200 average repair cost
• Refrigerator – $400 average repair cost
• Garbage disposal – $250 average repair cost
• Cooktop/range – $250 average repair cost
• Washer/dryer – $300 average repair cost

As you can see, these numbers are quite high. Especially considering that you can usually get a new appliance for the same cost. In some cases, you may be able to purchase an appliance far below the average repair cost. Instead of focusing on repairing and replacing your kitchen items, for example, you may want to invest some time in cleaning and maintaining kitchen appliances so they have a lower chance of breaking down. Alternatively, you may learn how to repair various appliances on your own, so you don’t have to deal with excessive repair costs.

Why is appliance repair so expensive?

There are a number of factors that may influence appliance repair cost. The primary factor, however, is that appliances these days (especially high-end ones) are incredibly complex and require specialized repair knowledge. Furthermore, most repairs will involve replacing one part or another, which in itself can be expensive. Then there’s the cost of labor, service calls, diagnostics, and even the cost of living/running a business in your local area. All of those may influence how large your budget for home improvements and repairs needs to be. Lastly, repair businesses have all sorts of fixed costs such as insurance, truck maintenance, office equipment, office space, and liability coverage.

Most common appliance problems

Many appliances in our households seem to last a lifetime and never break. However, other appliances seem to break all the time! A prime example of this is a refrigerator that leaks water. This is, by far, the most common appliance issue that you may encounter. Other common appliance problems include:

• The dishwasher no longer drains
• The gas range will not heat/light up
• The dryer not drying clothes properly
• Blown microwave fuse
• The electric cooker is getting too hot

Chances are that you have already encountered at least a few of these issues if not all of them. If you haven’t, and this is your first time buying a home, try to avoid one of the common mistakes made by first-time home buyers and have these problems in mind. Alternatively, you may want to invest in a home warranty contract (more on this soon), and simply not think about appliance repairs anymore.

Is it worth fixing an appliance?

Considering that appliance repair cost can easily surpass a few hundred dollars, it is perfectly normal to question whether it is worth fixing it in the first place. After all, you can usually purchase a new appliance (possibly at a discount) for pretty much the same price.

A good rule of thumb is that if an appliance is more than half through its lifespan, and the cost of its repair is higher than half its purchasing price, it is better to replace than to repair. Another one of the mistakes that home-buyers make is that they repair/replace all of their faulty appliances regardless of any other factors. Furthermore, it is entirely possible to cut down on repair costs simply by learning your way around a socket wrench. This has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars on appliance repair costs.

That being said, you can’t expect to be able to reliably repair all the appliances inside your home. To start with, you may want to focus on the appliances that are inherently easy to repair.

Easiest appliances to repair

One of the easiest appliances you can repair on your own is the gas stove. It features very few parts, which are universal among the brands. Other repairs that you may want to consider doing on your own include:

• Repairing a broken electric burner
• Fixing a broken water dispenser
• Cleaning the glass oven door
• Fixing a slow-filling washer
• Replacing the garbage disposal splash guard

You may also want to try your hand at repairing a leaking refrigerator. While this might not be possible in every single case, there’s a good chance that you can save a few hundred bucks by performing a DIY repair.

The best way to deal with appliance repair – Purchasing a home warranty contract

While it may be enticing to learn how to repair your appliances on your own and, therefore, considerably reduce appliance repair cost, there is an even better way. If you are not against paying a small annual premium, a home warranty contract can provide you with all the peace of mind that you may need. Do note, however, that you may need to take a look at home warranty exclusions and coverage limits before you sign anything. Otherwise, you may end up paying for both coverage and the repair cost. Do note that even if you purchase a home warranty contract, you will still be required to perform routine maintenance.

If you want to know more about home warranties, their benefits, and their limitations, Consumer Opinion Guide is your go-to resource. Our knowledge database will help you maximize the benefit you get from your home warranty and minimize the amount of money you will spend on repair costs!