Things To Consider When Hiring Appliance Repair Services
DIY or Professional
On top of paying for parts your broken appliance needs, hiring a professional is going to cost more than a do-it-yourself repair since you’ll also be paying for labor costs and service call fees, plus any applicable taxes. Since not all appliance repairs are complex or involve intricate parts, sometimes the repair can be handled DIY style first.
“Some issues, like a clogged filter or a loose connection, can be tackled by homeowners,” says Brayden Hazlewood, author at Rectify Home. “If DIY efforts don’t resolve the issue or if there’s a potential safety concern, it’s advisable to consult a professional. Expertise ensures accurate diagnosis and proper repairs.”
If you’re not confident in repairing the appliance yourself or if you’ve tried taking matters into your own hands with no luck, then call a professional. Appliance technicians will have the tools to work on your appliance and know what specific parts are needed to get it back up and running.
Reputation and Reviews
Before selecting a service provider, it’s important to thoroughly research the company to get a feel for what their customer service is like, but don’t solely rely on website testimonials. Since company-written website testimonials tend to be biased, reviews left on the Better Business Bureau website or Google Reviews will provide insight with honest feedback from previous customers. It will reveal the ratio of satisfied customers to unsatisfied, plus detail specific instances others have experienced.
No business is perfect, so don’t let a few negative reviews deter you away if there’s a generous amount of positive feedback as well. The most trustworthy companies tend to have a mix of four to five-star reviews. Reading honest reviews beforehand is a smart way to see if any previous customers have hired the company for a similar repair. If so, you’ll be able to gauge whether or not the company was successful and the client was satisfied.
Expertise and Experience
Along with a good reputation and positive reviews, expertise and experience matter a great deal when selecting the right technician for your repair. As you search for a company to work with, pay attention to how long the company (and technicians, if this information is disclosed) has been in service and if it has worked on similar jobs. The last thing you want is to hire a company or technician that isn’t experienced with your appliance. Some service providers will be forthcoming with how many years of experience their technicians have, plus any applicable training they require. You’ll also want to make sure the appliance repair company services your particular appliance model as some repair companies and technicians specialize in certain areas and with specific appliance brands.
Researching a company that seems relatively new? This is where education, certifications, or reviews come into play. Instead of counting out newer companies with little to no reviews, call and ask about the expertise and experience of the technicians for some peace of mind.
Availability and Response Time
Broken appliances need to be addressed quickly, so you don’t have to deal with the inconvenience for long. Companies with excellent response times help get your life back to normal, which is crucial when a critical appliance, like your HVAC unit, stovetop, oven, or refrigerator, breaks down. Companies, like Aire Serv, that offer 24/7 service times are a must to have on your radar, especially if they also offer emergency services. Companies, like Sears or Home Depot’s Pro Referral, that advertise same-day service are also helpful for fixing major home appliances fast.
To see the estimated response time of a company, check its website. There should be a section that walks you through the process to disclose how fast their response times are and how soon they’re able to fix most appliances. If you can’t find this information on the site, reviews are a good place to check to see how long it took previous customers to be serviced.
Service Guarantees
Before hiring an appliance repair service, it’s important to check if there are any service guarantees offered. A guarantee on service, repairs, or parts can ensure you’re taken care of if issues arise during or after repairs instead of a company ghosting you. Examples of guarantees include the Neighborly Done Right Promise offered by Mr. Appliance and Aire Serv. This promise says that the company will work to resolve any issues until it meets client standards as long as a complaint is filed within a year of service. If a guarantee is not listed on the site, be sure to ask before the project starts.
Pricing and Transparency
Frontdoor Pro is the only business we have seen advertise starting costs for repairs. Since the cost for appliance repairs is on a case-by-case basis, it’s not uncommon to not see figures on any site. Instead, prices are disclosed when your technician makes a house call to diagnose the appliance and estimate the repair cost (parts and service fees included).
When you get your quote back from the technician, it should break down the overall cost to you, complete with everything the technician plans to charge. Never hire a service without the cost first being explained to avoid running into additional fees that were not discussed.
What we found in our research is that most companies will give you an estimate during your initial visit. Financing is available through Aire Serv, while other places, such as Mr. Appliance, offer special offers year-round to assist with additional savings. For ease of paying, it seems that most places offer online payment portals with the total cost broken up into several payments.
Customer Service
Though the overall quality of customer service is something to consider, there are other factors that go into a company’s emphasis on customer satisfaction. Apart from reading reviews to see how other customers were treated during their project, it’s important to note how the customer is prioritized throughout the whole process. Does the company emphasize communication between the technician and client? Is it forthcoming about what to expect in terms of pricing and repair time? Does the technician move fast with repairs and seem knowledgeable about their work? These are all questions to ask yourself as you search for a company and consult with technicians.
Showing up on time for appointments and being prepared is an excellent indicator of good customer service as well as timely repairs.
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