At a Glance:
Should You Repair or Replace Your Appliances?
Average Dishwasher Repair Cost
Average Refrigerator Repair Cost
Average Washing Machine Repair Cost
Contact East Coast Appliance for Repair Services
There’s never a good time for an appliance to break. No one wants to deal with a backed-up dishwasher or refrigerator that refuses to cool. Unfortunately, many home appliances are essential for day-to-day life. While you might be able to last a day or two without a laundry system, eventually you will run out of clean clothes.
Financial experts recommend budgeting one percent of your home’s value for repairs each year. (If you live in a $300,000 house, set aside $3,000 for repairs.) However, your repair costs for basic appliances can fluctuate significantly.
Learn about the average appliance repair cost for various home items so you have an idea of what you will pay if they break down.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Appliances?
Before you can a repair specialist to look at your home appliances, consider whether it’s worth the effort to fix your units. You might be better off replacing these items entirely if they are past a certain age or value. Follow these steps to decide whether repairing or replacing your system is the right call:
- Look up the age of the appliance. If the unit is more than 10 years old, it’s time to replace it.
- Check the price of existing units. This can help you compare the replacement cost to the repair bill.
- Call around for repair estimates. See how much it will take to repair the issue.
- Compare the repair-to-replace ratio. If the repair bill is $300 and you could buy a new unit for $500, It might be worth it to simply buy a new item.
Remember that appliances wear out as they age. You might encounter one issue with your appliance and then have to fix a new problem a few months later. Pre-emptively buying a new unit could actually save you money in the long run because you won’t have to keep paying for repairs.
Average Dishwasher Repair Cost: $230
Dishwashers can break in a variety of ways. They can have plumbing issues where the water doesn’t drain or debris gets clogged easily. Dishwashers can also develop motor problems and electrical flaws that prevent them from turning on or running all the way through.
On the low end, you will pay at least $50 to repair your dishwasher. This is usually the cost of a basic service call by a plumber to fix a minor repair (like a clogged filter or twisted hose). On the high end, you could pay up to $600 to fix your dishwasher. This is for major repairs on luxury models.
Most dishwashers cost between $300 to $700. If you have to pay more than a few hundred dollars to repair your dishwasher, you might be better off replacing it entirely. Look up the cost to replace your dishwasher and see how it compares to your repair estimate.
Average Refrigerator Repair Cost: $250
Similar to the dishwasher, it usually costs between $200 to $300 to repair a refrigerator. While these appliances are typically more expensive than dishwashers, they have fewer components. A dishwasher needs electrical functions, a water source, and drainage. A refrigerator only needs a motor and a functioning cooling system.
The least you can expect to pay for a refrigerator repair is $50. This is usually the base price for a repair call. However, if you want to repair your refrigerator and the problem is complex, you could end up paying more than $1,000 for your appliance repair cost. These costs are split between the cost of parts and labor. Repairing a refrigerator also might take longer if the technician doesn’t have specific refrigerator parts on-hand.
There are other costs to consider when deciding to repair or replace a refrigerator that’s no longer cooling. A broken unit limits your ability to store food. Your groceries could spoil, or you could be left eating out for several days without a working refrigerator. These costs add up.
It’s possible to replace your refrigerator entirely for less than $1,000. Even luxury models of refrigerators rarely cost more than $4,000. Keep this budget in mind as you talk to repair professionals.
Average Washing Machine Repair Cost: $300
The appliance repair cost for washing machines falls between $150 to $400 depending on the type of repair and manufacturer. Washing machines can be hard to repair because they hook up to the water supply, drains, and electric system of your house. A plumber will need to decide whether the issue lies with the machine itself or with the home’s electrical or water systems.
The most affordable repairs will cost less than $100. These are the costs for minor issues like a lid that needs to be replaced. Major repairs can cost more than $600. On average, front-load washing machines cost more to repair than their top-load counterparts.
It’s possible to buy a stand-alone washing machine for less than $1,000. However, many companies offer financial incentives for homeowners who purchase a full washer/dryer set at once.
Average Dryer Repair Cost: $150
Dryers have similar price points for repairs as washers. Most people will pay between $100 and $200 for a dryer repair, which includes parts and labor. However, some repair bills can exceed $450 for major issues, like a dryer belt replacement.
Electric dryers are usually more affordable to repair than gas models. It also might be harder to find a repair specialist who works with gas dryers. However, these models come with the same reliability as their electric counterparts and might continue to run for years after they are repaired.
There are financial reasons for replacing your washer and dryer at the same time. If one appliance is starting to break down, it’s likely that the other one will start to have problems as well. Your repair costs can start to add up as both your washer and dryer wear out. Consider saving yourself the time and stress of repairs by investing in new units.
Average Oven Repair Cost: $350
Kitchen appliances are incredibly diverse in their price points, complexity, and repair needs. However, homeowners usually try to repair their ovens when they break. These appliances aren’t easy to replace, especially if they need to be removed from a wall mount. The appliance repair cost for your oven will depend on the style and brand you have.
You can expect to pay between $100 and $600 to repair your oven. If you have a freestanding model, the repair specialist can easily pull the appliance away from the wall to work on it. However, it might be harder to replace a built-in appliance or a wall oven that is hooked up behind your cabinetry or your oven has a glass stove top range built-in. This complexity will drive up the repair price.
Look at the price of new ovens and other units to see if the repair estimate is worth it. While you might be willing to pay for a new thermostat (a smaller repair) you could be better off replacing the appliance if it needs a brand-new heating element.
Appliance Repair in Hampton Roads
If you are worried about the appliance repair cost and the reliability of your repair specialist, contact the Certified Techs at East Coast. We offer appliance repair in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and the surrounding areas. Our associates are trained to service any of the brands we carry. We believe in driving results and making customers happy.
Learn more about theappliance repair Virginia shoppers trust and how East Coast Appliance can help you get your washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers running again.
Repair FAQs
Here’s a quick recap of some frequently asked questions about appliance repairs that we get from shoppers.
Is it worth it to fix an appliance?
Financial experts say it’s not worth fixing an appliance if the unit is more than 50% past its lifespan (older than 5-10 years old). It also isn’t worth fixing the appliance if it costs more than 50% of the value of a new one. However, if you have a newer appliance, it is worth the cost to repair it.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect, and you'll receive your price match.
Find Appliance Repair at East Coast Appliance
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, appliance repair Richmond, VA shoppers can trust at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you reduce your appliance repair cost or find replacement models, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: Is There Same Day Appliance Repair in Hampton Roads, VA?