Appliance Repair Costs
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How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost?

Last Updated on September 16, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

Each appliance will have its own repair cost as it will depend on the necessary fix and the type of appliance you have, but this article should be a good starting point for common household repairs you might be faced with.

This should help you decide whether your refrigerator over a decade old is worth trying to repair or if you should look for a new appliance. Knowing the average price for refrigerator repairs will make this decision a lot easier for you. So this article will go over appliance repair costs as well as some frequently asked questions about common appliances and appliance repairs.

Appliance Repair Costs

The typical cost range – $50 – $750.

Of course, you won’t get much help from the information on the average repair cost of common appliances as a whole, since “repair” and “household appliances” are really broad terms and could cover not only a lot of items but also a lot of issues. So for example, although you might consider “appliance repair” both replacing the evaporator on an air conditioner and unjamming a garbage disposal, these are very different jobs which means their prices are very different as well.

But based on what we could gather online in terms of a big range of appliance repair jobs and home warranty services, the national average cost of appliance repair is somewhere between $50 and $750. The table below will give you a breakdown of the repaid prices for common appliances:

Average Repair Pricing for Common Appliances

Appliance Type Cost Range Average Repair Cost
Washer/dryer $120–$750 $400
Refrigerator $250–$600 $500
Oven $120–$500 $350
Microwave $50–$500 $250
Garbage disposal $95–$500 $300
Dishwasher $120–$350 $260
Cooktop/range $120–$500 $300

Washing Machine Repair

Washing machines are known to be made of rather complex parts and an issue with any of these complex pieces can make the machine not function correctly. Some common examples are the agitator couplings that might malfunction or the top-loading machine could break.

If water starts spilling on the floor, the door seal on the front loader might be broken. But of course, a broken motor is one of the most expensive scenarios. If any of the following issues pops-up, be sure you get in touch with a professional to have your washing machine fixed:

  • You feel an excessive amount of vibrations or excessive noises coming from it
  • The machine either doesn’t drain properly or doesn’t fill with water how it should
  • Water keeps remaining in the drum or is pooling under the machine
  • You hear all kinds of sloshing and squeaking noises if you run cycles without clothes
  • The drum stops from spinning or spins improperly
  • Then the wash cycle ends, the clothes are still unusually wet

Dryer Repair

The costs of dryer repair will most likely depend on the brand of the unit you have and the part or combination of parts that have issues. If you have a gas dryer and it has issues, it might be the gas valve, the flame sensor, the igniter, or something along those lines.

If the electric dryer breaks instead, it might be either the dryer belt that snapped, the heating element could be burnt out, the motor could have died completely, or the drum might have broken or moved off its track.

Of course, the most expensive part you will always have to replace is the motor, but the thermostats, thermal fuses, and belts are considerably cheaper. Although you can try at least some easier repairs yourself, like changing the dryer belt, most of the time it is better to call a professional, especially when dealing with the next issues:

  • The door keeps opening when it shouldn’t
  • The dryer turns on and off intermittently
  • The drum has issues when spinning or doesn’t spin at all
  • Rattling, thumping or squealing noises keep coming from inside when it is running
  • It takes more and more time to dry your clothes

Refrigerator Repair

Most of the time, regardless of whether you are dealing with resealing a door or replacing the thermostat, repairs to your refrigerator shouldn’t be very expensive or complex. However, there are also repairs that will cost you hundreds of dollars, like replacing the compressor or the control board.

Keep in mind that although some repairs can be done as a DIY project, like replacing a drainpipe, a drip pan, or a door seal, or even unblocking the lines, refrigerators are so complex that some technicians will specialize in refrigerator and freezer repair alone. Get in touch with a professional if you notice any of the following problems:

  • Water is pooling around, or even under the fridge
  • The motor or fan is all of a sudden very loud
  • The built-in ice maker starts working improperly
  • There is a chemical smell coming from inside or close to the fridge
  • Ice crystals form around your foods or beverages or they freeze completely
  • The food isn’t kept to a low enough temperature inside the fridge
  • Humming, buzzing, startling, or clicking noises are coming from your unit

Microwave Repair

Microwave repairs are considered rather inexpensive, and countertop models are among the cheapest ones to fix, with over-the-range or built-in microwave units costing considerably more. When it comes to the parts themselves, the cheapest ones to repair are door switches, light bulbs, diodes, and fuses. On the higher price end are the door, magnetron, or control board, which should be left to professionals to repair.

Of course, most microwaves people use are both easy to use and easy to replace, the elements inside them that make them work will be hazardous and difficult to repair. Consider contacting a repair technician when you notice any of the following:

  • The interior place isn’t spinning or spins improperly
  • It will turn on even if the door is still open
  • You hear weird noises or see sparks while it is running
  • The microwave will either heat the food unevenly or take a long time to heat it

Garbage Disposal Repair

Most garbage disposal models aren’t all that expensive to repair, although they have such a low purchase price, that it might not even make sense to have it prepared and you can just get a new one when the old one breaks.

The cheapest and simplest problem you might need to get fixed will usually be a simple jam in the unit. If instead, your garbage disposal either has a burnt-out motor or leaks, you should consider replacing it completely. Get in touch with a professional for the following reasons:

  • Food scraps and water don’t drain or drain very slowly
  • Water keeps pooling beneath the unit
  • You’re having a hard time turning it off
  • You hear unusual, loud noises coming from the garbage disposal

Dishwasher Repair

You might not know this, but even the highest-quality dishwasher are kitchen appliances that are rather cheap to repair. Among the most common problems you will be faced with will be a broken door component, leaks, or difficulty in draining the water.

When it comes to replacing parts, door springs, filters, or seals are the cheapest, with motors and control panels being the most expensive to repair. You should call a technician when any of the following issues occur:

  • Water doesn’t properly drain from the unit
  • The door doesn’t stay shut or doesn’t latch
  • You feel a foul or musty odor from inside
  • Dishes come out dirty or wet
  • You see water that keeps pooling underneath the dishwasher

Range, Cooktop, and Oven Repair

Appliance Repair ExplainedMost of the time, ovens will be more expensive than stoves when it comes to repairs. Gas-powered appliances will also be more expensive to fix than electric appliances. Among the most common repairs, the oven door might need to be replaced, the heating element could have been burned out, or the control board could malfunction.

If you have an issue with your stovetop or oven, you should get in touch with a professional, because gas units present the danger of carbon monoxide, while electrical units feature the danger of electrocution, of course. Get in touch with a repair technician ASAP if you notice any of these issues:

  • Excessive clicking sounds or noises come from the unit
  • The burner won’t light or the pilot light from a gas stove goes out
  • The fan running inside the oven seems to have stopped when the unit is still running
  • You notice it takes a longer time for the oven to heat up
  • The oven doesn’t work even though the stove does

DIY vs. Professional Appliance Repair

Belo, we will go through some pros and cons of doing these jobs yourself versus getting the help of a professional appliance repair technician.

Pros of Hiring a Professional

  • You have more time as you won’t need to invest time and effort into fixing the issue yourself
  • A pro will come with the necessary materials, tools, and experience, to do this repair as quickly and professionally as possible

Cons of Hiring a Professional

  • You will be charged for both the labor and the needed materials
  • You might also be charged a service fee on top of all other expenses

Pros of DIY Appliance Repair

  • The cost of the replacement parts will be all you will be financially responsible for
  • You don’t need to worry about finding a trustworthy and affordable repair tech

Cons of DIY Appliance Repair

  • It will likely take longer, as you don’t have the experience and knowledge for a swift repair
  • If you repair it improperly, you might void the appliance warranty

Final Words

Most appliance repairs should cost a few hundred dollars, although this will vary depending on the problem you’re dealing with and the appliance needing the repair. Always make sure you have money at hand for emergencies like appliance repairs so you don’t get hit financially with the costs of an appliance needing a major fix.

FAQs About Appliance Repair

How long do home appliances last?

Below, you will find the average appliance durability, although the lifespan of your particular unit will depend on its quality and the way in which you are using it.

  • Microwave: 9 years
  • Dishwasher: 9 to 10 years
  • Garbage disposal: 8 to 12 years
  • Oven, range, or cooktop: 13 to 15 years
  • Washer or dryer: 10 to 13 years
  • Refrigerator: 13 years

What appliances will break the most?

Most people will deal with repairing appliances like garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers.

Can you use a home warranty to cover appliance repair costs?

A home warranty will only pay for appliance repair if you have appliance coverage and the malfunction of the appliance will fall under the terms of your specific plan. Most of the time, you will be covered if the appliance breaks due to wear-and-tear damage, although there are companies that cover other conditions, like corrosion, sediment, rust, improper repair, or insufficient maintenance.

Alec Pow
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