Don't Wait to Get an Appliance Repair Pro

When it comes to deciding whether or not to repair or replace an appliance, it's not so cut and dry. Some people suggest following the 50% rule which says if an appliance is 50% of the way through its estimated lifespan and the cost to repair would be 50% the cost to replace, then you should opt to replace rather than repair. But there are other nuances to this. For example, you may have relatively inexpensive repair costs but find yourself calling for a repair often so these small repairs add up. Additionally, you may have a fairly new appliance that just won't stop breaking making it expensive to maintain. All these factors play into your decision.

With the sea of DIY videos out there, it's not too difficult to learn how to fix certain problems yourself and, more importantly, you can learn the proper at-home maintenance to prevent future repair needs. But there are some downsides. Appliance repair can be nuanced which means you may end up wasting money (or making a problem worse) if you misdiagnose an issue. You also run the risk of injury if you're working with electrical equipment or large appliances. You may even void your warranty if you attempt to fix an issue yourself. When in doubt, ask for help.

Not all appliances are equal. A microwave isn't going to cost the same in parts and labor as a washing machine. Chat with your pro about it but know that you'll likely be paying a flat fee for the service and then additional fees for the parts and labor to make the repair. For virtually all your appliances, you're looking at somewhere between $150 and $300 with dishwashers being on the lower end and refrigerators being on the higher end.