Modern appliances were invented to make our daily lives easier. It’s amazing how much we rely on our appliances to do basic tasks like keep our food fresh, wash our clothes, and clean our dishes. We may take these items for granted and only realize how important they are when they stop working. When it’s time for one of your appliances to be repaired you may be curious about the potential costs associated. Read through this guide to learn the average appliance repair costs and how often you can expect to need the help of an appliance repair professional.
Average Costs
Appliance repair can be quite costly, especially if you have major appliances that break down or require maintenance frequently. Based on homeowner reports, the average cost for appliance repair is $220, with most spending between $135 and $300.
Hourly rates for an appliance repair professional can fall between $130 and $260 per hour. Note that smaller repairs that take less than an hour may still cost the same price as a full hour of work. Whenever possible, try to group your appliance repairs together to save time and money.
Most appliance repair professionals charge hourly and will include a service fee for visiting your home. Be sure to ask how their fees are calculated and if things like parts, labour, and their service fee are included in this price.
Questions to Ask an Appliance Repair Professional
When you’re in the beginning stages of hiring an appliance repair professional it’s important you know what questions to ask them before you commit to hiring them. Some common helpful questions include:
- Do they accept credit cards?
- Will they share information about previous clients?
- Do they cover or pay for damages that may occur during repairs?
- Will they provide a written guarantee?
Gas or Electric?
The difference between repairing gas and electric appliances all comes down to cost. Generally, gas operated appliances are more expensive to repair than electric. This is due to the fact that there is more risk involved in repairing gas powered appliances. While electric appliances ultimately cost more to power, fixing them is typically easier.
How Accessible is the Appliance?
The easier it is to reach the appliance, the easier it will be to fix, which means it will cost less. Typically you will also pay less for repairs if the appliance wiring is straightforward and easily accessible.
Are the Parts Easy to Find?
Certain appliances have hard-to-find parts that can cost a small fortune to track down. Talk to your appliance repair professional about how easy parts for you appliance will be to find. You can also ask about using used appliance parts instead of brand new to save money. Most of the time used parts work just as good as new ones.
Washer and Dryer
Washing Machine Repair Costs
Having a broken washing machine is a big inconvenience that can lead to expensive and frequent trips to the laundromat or dry cleaner. The average cost to repair a broken washing machine can range from $155 to $600.
Common Washer Issues
Over the lifespan of your washer, it’s likely to encounter at least one of the the following common issues. If you notice your washer is experiencing one of these issues, be sure to contact an appliance repair professional.
- Failing to drain
The pump moves water out of the washer and filters it through the drainpipe. By cleaning or replacing the pump, you may be able to fix your washer and improve its performance. - Wobbling
If your washer wobbles, it’s because of an imbalance in your laundry or your machine. If your load is off kilter, the machine will balance itself out. If your machine is unbalanced, check the four stands that support it; if they’re faulty, have them repaired. - Leaking
Leaks around the washer are usually caused by a leaking hose. You have three hoses on a washer — two supply hoses and one drain hose. Check connections to make sure they’re secure, then look for holes. Reconnect and replace hoses as needed. - Underfilling
If your machine isn’t filling with water, there’s probably something wrong with the water control or inlet valve. Check your hoses before calling a pro. There’s a good chance your hoses are kinked and not letting all the water in. - Standing water
If there’s standing water around your washer, there could be a clog in the drain. Check for and remove any blockages. If that’s not the problem, you’ll need to have a plumber take a look. - Mechanical failures
Appliance repair professionals can typically fix washer problems, including issues with the agitator, pump and belts. - Drive belts
Worn, broken or slipping drive belts may also create problems. Check belts before trying to pull them out. If there are cracks or slack, there is something wrong. A belt that moves more than ¼ inch needs repair or replacement.
Dryer Repair Costs
Much like a broken washer, a broken dryer is an equally big inconvenience. It’s important to maintain your dryer so that it’s in good working order. Depending on the type of repair, the average dryer repair will cost between $130 and $500.
Gas Dryer Repair
While gas dryers cost more than electric to purchase, they cost less to power. When it comes to repairs, gas dryers have ignition coils that will need to be replaced throughout the dryer’s lifetime. Other issues with gas dryers include issues with:
- Igniters
- Flame sensors
- Gas valves
- Thermal fuses
Dryer Belt Replacement
If you start hearing a squeaking noise, this means it’s time to replace your dryer belt. Noise could also indicate a problem with your drum rollers and idler pulleys. All of these parts can be replaced at the same time as replacing your dryer belt. The average cost to replace a dryer belt is $260.
Other Common Dryer Issues
- No heat
This may be caused by a bad thermostat, a bad timer, bad fuses, temperature switches, or heating coils. Cost: $100 to $260 - Drum issues
These are typically caused by a broken belt; otherwise, it’s probably your roller, motor or idler pulley that needs to be replaced. Cost: $60 to $260 - Overheated dryer
This could be caused by a clogged vent, bad thermostat or faulty heating coils; it should be addressed immediately. Cost: $60 to $160 - Faulty dryer
This could be due to lack of power or a bad timer, thermostat, terminal block or start switch. Check each and replace as needed. Cost: $60 to over $1,000
Fridge and Freezer
Our fridges and freezers are easily the most important appliances in kitchens. If you have a fridge/freezer combo that needs to be repaired, this will usually take a couple of hours of work plus the cost of replacement parts, resulting in the average cost to repair a fridge/freezer being between $260 and $520. Before you go ahead and book an appointment to repair your unit, keep these things in mind to help you determine if a repair is worth the cost:
- Age
If your fridge is less than 8 years old, it should be repaired. If it’s more than 15 years old, it should probably be replaced. - Type
Some types are more expensive to repair than others. Built-in refrigerators are less expensive to repair if they’re less than 5 years old; side-by-side refrigerators are more expensive to repair if they’re over 5 years old. - Efficiency
If your refrigerator is increasing your utility bill, consider replacing it with a more efficient alternative.
Fridge Compressor Repair Costs
If you notice a buzzing or humming noise coming from your fridge, or if you notice your food isn’t staying cold, you might have compressor issues. Typically compressor repairs can cost between $25 and $260. Common compressor issues include:
- Problems with the compressor fan
The fan is essential to the compressor, as it helps to cool it down and prevent overheating. If the fan stops, the compressor will make a strange noise and your fridge will start to overheat. You will need to call a fridge repair professional to replace the fan. - Clicking noises
If you hear clicking sounds, there’s a chance you have an issue with your start relay, or that the compressor is overloading, which could cause the compressor to break. - Faulty compressor
If parts of the fridge are cooling less than they used to, test the compressor by unplugging the fridge and accessing the compressor from the back. If it has a capacitor, you will need a professional to test it for you. If the compressor is working, something else is causing your issue. - Other noises
Your compressor is usually silent. If it’s making noises, it’s likely that your compressor has gone bad and will need to be replaced. This will prevent high pressure and bad gas from building up inside the fridge.
Other Common Fridge Repairs
- Rattling sounds
There’s a drip pan behind the kick plate under your fridge, and it’s possible that the pan is rattling when water hits. If there’s too much liquid, empty it. Also, check the supports to make sure they aren’t damaged. Cost: $0 to $60 - Icemaker issues:
You might hear noises coming from the icemaker when water flows into it. It’s normal, but have it checked if it gets louder than usual. Cost: $325 to $430 - Defroster
The defroster makes a click, but as the timer gets older, the motor can start to make noise as well. If it gets extremely loud, you will need to replace it. Normal noises for the defroster include snapping, popping and crackling. Cost: $130 to $260 - Freezer
If the evaporator fan motor starts making strange noises, push the door switch to see if that turns it off. This usually means you will need to replace the motor. Cost: $260 to $325
Oven
The term oven range includes your oven and its cooktop, along with all of the components it takes to make them work. Depending on the extent of the repair, having any part of your range repaired could run you between $130 and $260 per project.
Common Repairs and Their Fixes
- Broken burner
Replace the burner. - A burner that burns too hot
Replace the bad switch. - Indicator light
Replace the bad switch. - Stuck oven door
The self-clean latch is misaligned, or your touchpad is preventing it from closing. - Oven isn’t working
There is a problem with your baking igniter or valve. In gas models, the pilot flame may not be correctly communicating with the thermocoupler. If this is the case, replace the spark electrode and other parts as necessary. - Poor heating
There is an issue with your igniter (gas) or main controller (electric). Replace as necessary. - Bad temperature
There is a problem with your thermostat, temperature sensors or calibration dials. Replace as necessary. - Faulty baking/broiling
In an electric range, replace the element or wiring. In a gas range, inspect the valve to ensure that gas is getting to the oven.
Small Appliances
The price to repair small appliances such as a microwave, garbage disposal or dishwasher will vary depending on the repair and parts needed. For example, the average cost to repair a microwave is around $90/hour plus parts and labour. For slightly larger appliances such as dishwashers, you can expect to pay approximately $130 to $260.
Warranties
Before you seek the help of an appliance repair professional, be sure to check the warranty on your appliance. A warranty could save you money on repairs or cover the entire cost. While not everyone spends the extra money on an extended warranty, you should consider doing so for these appliances:
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Wall ovens
- Front-loading laundry machines
This is due to the fact that these appliances are investments and will cost a fair amount to maintain or repair as time goes on. Spending the money on an extended warranty upfront could end up saving you money in the long run.
Modern appliances also require more expensive parts than they used to, which results in a higher average repair cost. While the costs are up, modern appliances are also much more energy efficient than they were a decade ago.