Major household appliances are significant investments into your convenience and quality of life. When you purchase a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a dishwasher, you expect it to serve you for many years.
Unfortunately, a lack of appliance maintenance coupled with high humidity and improper use often lead to breakdowns. If your appliance’s lifespan isn’t nearing its end, it makes sense to work with a repair company.
In some cases, homeowners find that appliance repair is somewhat expensive. Why does fixing your appliance cost so much? Let’s look at the factors that affect the cost.
Spare Parts
If a problem with your appliance is minor, a technician is likely to fix it with the available instruments and minor spare parts like patches or seals. However, if a serious problem like a motor breakdown occurs, you need to order a spare part from the manufacturer.
While many appliance repair technicians collaborate with spare parts providers to reduce the costs, the price can still be hefty.
Depending on what needs to be replaced in your appliance, the cost of the repair goes up. In some cases, you can reduce this cost by going for aftermarket or a remanufactured part instead of an OEM spare part.
Make and Model
The cost of appliance repair may depend on its make and model. Some models are highly complex and require a specific approach to repair. What may take a few minutes to fix in one model could take hours in another.
Since many appliance technicians charge by the hour, the duration of the repair affects its final cost. Meanwhile, the cost of spare parts also depends on the brand of your appliance. If you choose an expensive appliance, expect to pay higher amounts for its repair.
According to the experts Hartman’s Jacksonville appliance repair, many people mistakenly believe that by buying an expensive appliance, they protect themselves from frequent repairs. In reality, even the most expensive machine breaks down if not maintained properly.
Emergency Response
When an appliance breaks down, some homeowners aren’t willing to wait for days for the repair technician to arrive. Living with a broken fridge or a damaged dishwasher can be complicated. That’s why many people opt for emergency repair.
The majority of appliance repair companies charge an emergency service surcharge. So if you are asking the technicians to hurry and get to your appliance in just a few hours, you have to be ready to pay extra.
Choice of Company
Not all appliance repair companies are created equal. Some charge more. Others have hidden fees. If you don’t know the market, you may be overpaying for appliance repair tremendously.
When an appliance breaks down, homeowners rarely have time to vet a repair company. So before it happens, take the time to choose the right service provider by visiting Asurion’s site. This way when disaster strikes, you know whom to call.
Remember, in 2021, the average cost of appliance repair is between $105 and $241. Unless you have a major breakdown, the price tag doesn’t have to be excessive.
Age of Appliance
If your appliance is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may have too many problems to make it worth repairing. The costs of repairs will just keep piling up. In some cases, it’s better to opt for replacement.
Meanwhile, it’s often hard to find the right spare parts for old, discontinued appliance. You may find that it takes weeks for the right part to arrive.
Warranty
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that the appliance warranty has to cover all their repair expenses. In reality, this warranty is extremely limited. While you should check your warranty once the machine breaks down, don’t hope for it to cover all the repairs.
The Takeaway
While appliance repair may seem expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Proper maintenance and use can prevent you from dealing with costly repairs. Meanwhile, finding the right company to take care of the repairs can reduce the repair bill. Take the time to research repair options before your appliance breaks down.
Always keep in mind the possibility of replacing an old unit instead of repairing it frequently.
