How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost?

Learn the standard cost of professional appliance repair from Cain Appliance Repair:

Kitchens are full of large electrical appliances. An electrical stove, dishwasher or refrigerator must have up-to-code wiring. In the event any electrical appliance is improperly installed, it will pose a serious chance of starting a fire in a kitchen. To be sure your electrical appliances are installed correctly, it is important to hire an experienced service for appliance repair in Santa Rosa, CA.

DIY electrical service for appliances is rarely a recommended plan of action. There are one or two small repairs where DIY can be a consideration. In those times, be sure to use the proper tools and to always turn off the power.

Repairing or installing large appliances, however, is incredibly more intensive. You should not try DIY repair. Your range, for example, can need a 250- or 125-volt circuit dependent on if it’s entirely gas-powered or electrical, plus you will need no less than two 20-amp, 125-volt circuits to operate small household appliances. These circuits can each support multiple outlets, but don’t overload them — which will mean, a third outlet is necessary.

The chance of a short (which might cause critical injury or death) during any kind of bigger project most of the time won’t be worth it. It’s best to call a professional appliance repair service.

You can search for appliance repair companies on the internet. Look for companies with a lot of reviews. Or ask for a referral from a friend if you are having problems with an oven, dishwasher or refrigerator.

Hiring appliance repair companies begins with contacting a contractor with experience doing service of kitchen appliances. Some repairmen are appliance-specific, and do not offer repair for all kinds of household appliances.

The number one reason several local appliance repairmen won’t be qualified to service a kitchen appliance is due to all of the electrical appliances in a kitchen that require water . Most refrigerators require water to make ice cubes and dishwashers always need water to run. Water is very dangerous during electrical repairs.

If electrical work isn’t done correctly and a waterline ruptures, as an example, there is a very strong possibility of electrocution. Electricity and water don’t go together.

That is why you need a contractor who knows how to handle both.

Experienced appliance repairmen will cost in the neighborhood of $40 to $75 an hour for repairs, and solo contractors may charge somewhere between $75 and $120 per hour. This might sound like too much, that’s because it is preferable to pay a more expensive price for high-quality work. If a repair company is cheaper than $35 per hour, you should be suspicious.

It’s important to be sure the contractor is pulling a permit for any type of electrical service. Some low-quality services will argue that they don’t need a permit, but never trust them. Always confirm with officials.

Most local companies often charge a standard amount for their travel, from $40 to $75. You’ll pay the total price no matter if the repair is performed, so it’s smart to have a list on-hand of appliances for the repairmen to inspect.

The average is $159 for refrigerator repairs – companies will often charge $75 to $150 per hour. Plan to expect a $60 to $80 trip charge too for them to drive and troubleshoot the issue.

The cost of new appliances range around $350 and $8,000. The broad range depends the type of appliance, such as a high-price refrigerator compared to a low-cost dishwasher.

Troubleshooting or installing an electrical kitchen appliance is among the most detailed repair projects one can need in a home.

A way to limit these kinds of issues is to listen very attentively to a repairman when he provides an estimate for repair. Exact types of wire should be used dependent on the type of kitchen appliance, and wiring colors (for ground and neutral) could change as local regulations or requirements are updated.

Additionally, many jurisdictions now demand arc fault protection for kitchen electrical circuits plus ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI) protection. If the repairman doesn’t mention this, or suggests that you don’t “need” them, it’s time to hire someone else.

Also, be sure to monitor a repairman closely when he completes the initial inspection of the dishwasher. If it is a brand new appliance the company is installing, ask if it is able to use the exact same circuit or if it needs an upgrade since there are noticeable size and electrical power usage differences in the latest models. The same recommendation can be applied to dishwashers and ovens.

professionals have to be able to describe what they are going to do, why they must do it and explain each piece of the final fee, which likely includes appliance parts, labor and sometimes miscellaneous. There are some appliance repair companies willing to wave the travel fee if service is completed.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Tips
Appliance Safety
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts