How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost?

Find out the average cost for professional appliance repair from Elroy Appliance Repair:

A kitchen is filled with electrical appliances. An electrical stove, dishwasher or refrigerator needs proper wires. If an electrical appliance is incorrectly installed, it creates a legitimate chance of starting a fire in a kitchen. In order to be sure your electrical appliances are in good shape, it’s important to enlist a trained service for appliance repair in Chattanooga, TN.

DIY electrical troubleshooting for appliances is rarely a recommended idea. There are one or two small repairs where ”do-it-yourself” might be an option. In those cases, just be sure to use the correct tools and to shut off the power source.

Repairing or installing larger kitchen appliances, however, is incredibly more complicated. Don’t plan on ”do-it-yourself” repair. Your range, for example, can require a 250- or 125-volt circuit dependent on if it’s entirely gas-powered or electrical, and you will need no less than two 20-amp, 125-volt circuits to power small types of appliances. These circuits can each carry numerous outlets, but do not overload them — which often will mean, a third is necessary.

The chance of a short (which could mean critical injury or death) during any kind of larger project usually is not worth it. It’s best to call for professional appliance repair.

You can search for appliance repair services on Google. Look for repairmen with good reviews. Or find a a referral from a family member if you are running into difficulties with a stove, freezer or refrigerator.

Hiring appliance repair companies starts with contacting a service with experience in repair of kitchen appliances. Some repairmen are appliance-specific, and won’t offer repair for all kinds of appliances.

The main reason some local appliance repair services won’t be a good choice to repair a kitchen appliance is because of the number of electrical appliances in a kitchen that require water to run. Most refrigerators need water to make ice in the freezer and dishwashers require water to wash dishes. Water is potentially dangerous should there be electrical repairs.

If electrical repairs aren’t completed correctly and a waterline ruptures, as an example, there’s a strong risk of electrocution. Electricity and water don’t go well together.

That’s why you need a repairman who knows how to deal with both.

Certified appliance repair technicians can cost close to $50 to $65 per hour for repairs, and independent contractors might cost between $70 and $120 per hour. This could sound like too much, but it’s preferable to pay a higher price for excellent work. If a “professional” charges lower than $35 an hour, be suspicious.

It is important to be sure the appliance repairman has a permit  for any kind of electrical work. Some unqualified repairmen will say that they do not require a permit, but do not believe it. Always confirm with officials.

Most local repairmen will charge a minimum amount for their trip, from $50 to $75. You will pay the total fee regardless of if the repair is done, so it’s smart to have a list on-hand of appliances for them to inspect.

The average is $159 for refrigerator repairs – services will often charge $75 to $140 an hour. You should expect a $50 to $85 trip charge too for the technician to travel and troubleshoot the problem.

The average cost of new kitchen appliances range around $375 and $7,750. The wide range is dependent on the type of kitchen appliance, such as a expensive refrigerator compared to a standard dishwasher.

Troubleshooting or installing an electrical appliance is among the most difficult repair jobs you can require in a home.

A way to sidestep these kinds of issues is listening very closely to a technician when he or she completes an estimate for repair. Certain wiring types must be used depending on the type of appliance, and wiring colors (for neural and ground) sometimes differ as local regulations or requirements are updated.

Additionally, most jurisdictions demand arc fault protection for all kitchen electrical circuits along with ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI) protection. If the service provider fails to mention this, or implies you do not really “need” them, it is time to hire a different company.

And, to follow a technician attentively when he or she completes the first review of the refrigerator. If it’s a brand new kitchen appliance he or she is installing, ask if it can use the exact same circuit or might need an upgrade because there are obvious size and power usage differences in the most recent models. The same applies to dishwashers and ranges.

A professional must be able to describe what it is they will do, why they must do it and justify each piece of the final cost, which likely includes appliance parts, labor and miscellaneous. There are some appliance repair companies willing to wave the travel fee if repair is done.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Tips
Appliance Safety Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts