How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost? A Complete Guide

Though home appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washers and dryers are better-functioning and more durable than ever, problems do happen and they should be addressed. The average appliance repair cost is $235, with an average low cost of $120 and an average high cost of $345.

Learn appliance repair costs to figure out how much you should pay for the fix, as well as to evaluate whether you should repair or replace the appliance.

Average Appliance Repair Costs

Refrigerator

Repairing a refrigerator starts at $205 and ranges up to $430 per repair visit. On average, the cost to fix a refrigerator is $315.

Reasons to fix your refrigerator include buzzing or humming noises, food that spoils, ice forming in the compartment, water leaks, or bad odors.

These problems are commonly fixed with repairs like replacing the door seal or drip pan, unblocking lines, fixing the compressor, and replacing the thermostat.

Ice Maker

The cost to fix an ice maker is an average of $195. Repairing an ice maker begins at a low of $135 and can reach a high of $250.

Common ice maker problems include making too much or too little ice, refusing to make any ice, or producing ice that smells foul or tastes bad.

Stove or Cooktop

On average, it costs $250 to $270 to repair a stove or cooktop. Costs to repair a stove or cooktop range from $130 to $415.

Common stove problems include the stove not heating up or taking a long time to heat, the pilot light frequently going out, a burner that won’t light, gas smells, or clicking sounds.

Because of the safety factor—the chance of electrocution with electric stoves or carbon monoxide poisoning with gas stoves—it’s best to have a professional troubleshoot and repair stove or cooktop problems.

Oven

Repairing an oven costs an average of $270. The cost to fix an oven ranges from $145 to $390.

Ovens not reaching the set temperature or heating too slowly are problems that can sometimes be fixed by replacing the thermostat, a fairly minor and low-cost repair. Replacing a coil in an electric oven is so simple that most DIYers can do this and save on professional repair charges.

Microwave

The cost to repair a microwave is $190, on average. Fixing a microwave costs from $100 on the low end up to $275 on the high end.

Fixing microwaves that don’t rotate is a simple repair that a homeowner sometimes can do. But when the microwave produces sparks or turns on when the door is open, these safety-related problems should be addressed by an appliance technician.

Garbage Disposal

Fixing a garbage disposal costs an average of $155. The cost to repair a garbage disposal starts as low as $70 and reaches a high of $240.

Garbage disposals that are jammed may cost on the low end to repair. Disposals that won’t start are more difficult to repair.

Tip

With some of the best garbage disposals costing just below $200, and many good models below $100, it’s often more cost-effective to replace rather than repair the disposal.

Dishwasher

The cost to repair a dishwasher is $210, on average. Repairing a dishwasher starts at around $100 and ranges up to $325.

Common dishwasher problems include water pooling at the base, dishes that won’t get clean, foul odors, and doors that will not shut properly.

You can troubleshoot some dishwasher problems on your own to see if you’re able to make the repairs. In most cases, though, dishwashers should be repaired by appliance technicians.

Freezer

Repairing a freezer costs $230, on average. The cost to repair a freezer ranges from $95 to $365.

Replacing a freezer thermostat cures many problems that ail freezers, like food that spoils because it’s not cold enough or too much or too little ice forming. Otherwise, fixing or replacing circuit boards or control systems is more expensive.

Tip

The best freezers have power freeze settings that quickly reduce the internal temperature to chill newly added items.

Washer

Repairing a washing machine costs an average of $265 per repair, with a range of costs from $120 to $415.

Clothes that don’t get clean, water pooling on the floor, the drum not spinning, and excessive noise and vibrations are washing machine problems that need repairing. It’s usually worthwhile to repair this expensive machine before replacing it.

Dryer

Repairing a clothes dryer costs an average of $225, with a range of average costs from $110 to $345.

When a dryer is having problems, it may not fully dry the clothes, refuse to spin, the door won’t stay closed, or it produces squeaks, rattles, or thumps.

Replacing the dryer motor is one of the more expensive dryer repairs, while fuse and thermostat replacements tend to be relatively inexpensive.

Appliance Repair Labor Costs

Appliance technicians charge an average of $75 for home service calls. A service call covers the time and expense incurred by the repair company for showing up at your home and looking at the appliance, even if no work is ordered.

Appliance repair labor costs range from $50 to $175 per hour, with an average per-hour cost of $115.

Flat rate appliance emergency repair call charges start at $50 and go up to $200. On average, an emergency repair call costs $125.

Tip

Emergency repair call charges help the repair company cover the added cost of responding to calls outside of usual business hours. These charges are in addition to the cost of the repair.

Save on Appliance Repair Costs

Minimize or even eliminate appliance repair costs with a few simple tips:

Repair the Appliance Yourself

Many appliance repairs like replacing a gas oven ignitor or installing a new water line in a refrigerator can be done by DIYers.

Use the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Before calling the repair company, check if the appliance is still covered by the manufacturer’s limited warranty.

Purchase an Extended Warranty

While they aren’t always a good deal, some extended warranties help defray appliance repair costs. Before buying a contract, carefully review the plan’s cost, length of coverage, limits of coverage, and the claims process.

Maintain the Appliances

Simple appliance maintenance tasks on your part can save expensive repairs later on. Simple appliance maintenance projects include:

Troubleshoot in Advance

With appliance repair labor costs averaging $115, it’s best to help the repair technician focus on the problem. You can help by troubleshooting the issue in advance, paring down on expensive hourly labor charges.

Lifespans of Major Home Appliances

Knowing how long major appliances should last helps you determine whether you should continue to repair the appliance or to replace it:

• Refrigerator: 12 to 14 years

• Stove or Cooktop: 10 to 18 years

• Oven: 10 years

• Microwave: 9 years

• Garbage Disposal: 12 years

• Dishwasher: 9 years

• Freezer: 10 to 20 years

• Washer: 11 years

• Dryer: 13 years

DIY vs. Professional Appliance Repair

Repairing your own appliances means that you don’t have to pay labor or service call fees, nor do you need to wait for repair technicians to show up.

Homeowners with even limited repair experience can repair a washing machine that won’t start or spin, fix a garbage disposal that’s jammed or not working, or repair a microwave that won’t turn on or rotate, among many other DIY-friendly repairs.

At the same time, appliance technicians can quickly diagnose and repair appliance problems, plus they often have parts on hand to fix the problem right away. Essential appliances like refrigerators and stoves need to be repaired quickly, and experienced professionals can do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should you spend to repair a refrigerator?

You should spend in the range of $205 to $430 to repair a refrigerator, as these are the average national refrigerator repair costs. You can also evaluate the refrigerator repair cost against the cost of buying a new refrigerator. With expensive appliances like refrigerators, it’s usually worthwhile to repair them.

Is it better to repair or replace an appliance?

It is usually better to repair an appliance than to replace it. Appliance problems that appear major might actually be simple to fix. In many cases, you can even repair your own appliance.

Is it worth fixing a 13 year old washing machine?

It may not be worthwhile to fix a 13-year-old washing machine since the life expectancy of washing machines is around 11 years. But if the repair is minor and if the machine has been performing well otherwise, it might be worthwhile to repair the machine.

Read Next: How Much Does Replacing an HVAC System Cost?

Read the original article on The Spruce.

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