To Repair Or Not To Repair – That Is the Question – Appliance Repair In Seattle – Bellevue – King County WA

When one of your home appliances – the refrigerator, stove, washing machine, or clothes dryer – starts to lose efficiency or just stops working altogether, you are
faced with a big decision: SHOULD I REPAIR IT OR DO I NEED TO REPLACE IT?

The following information should help you make that critical and sometimes expensive decision.

A good start is to first obtain repair quotes from several service providers. Today, consumers have far more tools than ever before available to find reputable contractors in their area. These include Google Search, Google Business, and Google Reviews, as well as specific industry websites with ratings and cost information. You should call more than 1 service to determine the cost, time, and procedure that will be needed before your appliance is repaired.

If the cost to fix the appliance averages around 50% of the cost of purchasing a new one, you should finance the repair. Anything over that percentage probably means you’re better off upgrading to a newer model, with its own brand new warranty.

Remember to bear in mind that very old appliances may face additional issues, such as the difficulty of finding OEM replacement parts, which may require your repairman to charge additional fees. However, substituting non-OEM alternatives instead of OEM parts may bring more problems down the road, and the immediate savings can result in costlier repairs. If your situation involves an older appliance, be absolutely certain to use OEM parts because of various safety issues. As compensation for extra cost, a properly operating appliance is not only safer and can lower your power bills and your carbon footprint, but it can also pay for itself over time.

How Much Will Repairing an Appliance Cost Me?

Appliance repair can be a large investment, especially when it’s a major appliance that requires frequent maintenance. Homeowners report that the average cost for appliance repair is $170 and most spend between $105 and $236. Most home warranty service providers charge by the hour, as well as a standard, additional trip fee for home service. Bear in mind that since small repairs may take less than an hour to complete, you may be charged a flat fee.

When researching different service providers (we recommend you ask for a several quotes), make sure to find out whether their estimates include parts, labor, and a service fee, if it isn’t clearly itemized. Ask about payment methods, written guarantees, and whether they cover or pay for any damages incurred during the repairs.

Some things that may factor into your total cost are whether the appliance runs on gas or electric power (gas appliances are more expensive to repair), how easy the appliance is to reach and work on, and finally if its parts are easily available. A good tip for lowering costs is to try and find a local contractor, rather than a repairman who works for a larger company with standardized rates.

Appliance Repair Factors To Be Taken Into Consideration:

Age: If it’s less than 8 years old, depending on the repair needed it is probably cost-effective to repair rather than replace

Type: Built-in fridges are less expensive to repair if they’re less than five years old, side-by-side ones are more expensive when over 5 years old.

Efficiency: If you think your fridge is increasing your electrical bill, replacing it for a more energy-efficient model can be a great idea, despite the initial upfront costs.

Noises: Is your fridge humming or buzzing, and failing to keep your food cold? It’s probably an issue with the compressor, which can run you between $20-$200.

TYPICAL APPLIANCE PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS NEEDED:

Repairing a washing machine – This is an appliance that can be costly to repair, especially since waiting may mean expensive trips to the laundromat.

Some common problems include:

Failure to drain: This may be due to a faulty pump (the part that moves water out of the washer and through the drainpipe) or simply a clog. To check, disconnect it from the washer motor and check for any obstructions.

Wobbling: This may be due to an imbalance in the laundry itself, which should balance itself out, or in the four stands that support it, which may need to be replaced if broken or bent.

Leaking: Washers have three hoses (two that supply water, and one that drains). Check connections to make sure they’re secure, and if there are any holes.

Underfilling: This usually indicates an issue with the water control or inlet valve. There’s a good chance your hose may just be kinked, so make sure to verify before calling in a professional.

Standing Water: This may occur because of a clog in the drain. Check before calling in a repairman, and make sure to include this in your washer’s maintenance.

Mechanical Failures or problems with the Drive Belt: This sort of problem requires professional intervention.

Repairing a dryer – Gas dryers cost more than electrical ones when you buy them, but more than make up for the extra $$ by being far cheaper to run. Some issues causing malfunction of non-operation include the igniters, flame sensors, gas valves, or thermal fuses.

Common issues include:

Dryer belt replacement: This involves first removing the lint filter, and then popping off the dryer top, removing the screws and detaching the front. Then the old belt is removed, we vacuum the enclosed area, and replace with the new belt.

Dryer coil failure, resulting in no heat: This can be caused by a number of issues, including a bad thermostat, a bad timer, bad fuses, non-functioning temperature control switches, or heating the coils themselves.

Drum not rotating or making loud noises: Usually caused by a broken belt, but can also be due to a faulty roller, motor or idler pulley.
Dryer Overheating: Can be a maintenance issue, such as lint clogged vents. Many times the condition is more serious, caused by a bad thermostat or faulty heating coils. No matter the cause, this is a very dangerous condition and should be addressed immediately! Do NOT not operate a dryer that is overheating!

Completely non-functioning dryer: The reasons for this are TOO MANY to list, from a bad power cord or outlet to bad timers, thermostat, electronic part/board malfunctioning switches, and many, many other conditions or parts failures.

Repairing an oven/range/cooktop – is considered a Critical Repair (without an oven or range, you can’t prepare food, particularly frozen foods). Common issues include broken burner elements, burners running too hot, faulty indicator lights, stuck oven door, sparking electrode, poor or no heating, unsteady temperature control, and faulty baking or broiling.

Some Last Helpful Tips:

First, please make sure you check the warranty on any appliance before calling in professional help. The money you can save on repairs is invaluable—it may even pay for them in full. Speaking of warranties, get an extended one for the next appliance purchase you make, especially if it’s a major one, (refrigerators, stoves, wall ovens, and front-loading laundry machines).

Major appliances such as washers, dryers, stove/ranges, and refrigerators all require substantial initial investments. They may cost time and money to subsequently maintain. On average, appliances are now built to last 6-9 years, compared with 8-12 years many years ago. They’re also equipped with more expensive, electronic parts. This results in a higher-than-average repair cost. However, modern appliances are generally much more energy-efficient than their older counterparts.

Finally, we cannot stress strongly enough the crucial importance of regular maintenance. Keeping your appliances cleaned and maintained in good condition will usually translate into far less downtime or repairs and far more useful function in the long run. Your appliance manual will contain many valuable tips on how to perform routine, simple maintenance that will keep your appliance in top shape for many years.