Average home appliance repair costs for 2023-2024
As a homeowner, you’ve likely found yourself in the situation where your appliances have malfunctioned in one way or another. Perhaps you opened your washing machine and noticed the water didn’t drain completely, or you came home to a warm refrigerator and spoiled food.
A sudden breakdown can be inconvenient. While you can’t predict when an appliance will crash, it helps to know how much repairs and replacements can cost so you can budget to keep your appliances in good working order — and why it might make sense to look into a home warranty.
Why you need to prepare for home appliance repairs
Over time, regular use causes parts in an appliance to break or wear out. When that happens, it will function poorly or stop working altogether. While it can be hard to predict an emergency expense, you can protect yourself with a home warranty.
Let’s say your toilet stops working, or your water heater decides you are better off with a cold shower this morning. Typically, you’ll face large, unexpected bills for parts and services to repair or replace those items. With a home warranty plan, you can have peace of mind that those normal wear-and-tear expenses won’t break the bank.
With a Cinch Home Services Appliances plan,1 you pay a modest monthly fee that works for your budget and home coverage needs. If a covered appliance breaks down, you'll pay a one-time service fee (a deductible) at the time you place your claim, which pays for your share of the claim cost, not including any non-covered amounts or amounts over caps limits that you would be responsible for, if any.
How much does an appliance service call cost?
What is an appliance service call? Simply put, this occurs when an appliance stops working and a repair technician is called to come over and diagnose the problem. For many people, figuring out the appliance repair cost per hour causes considerable anxiety. If you can relate, we certainly understand. When sticking to a budget, it’s easy to speculate that the cost of an appliance repair service call will be more than you can afford. As a customer, the last thing you want to do is suffer from a broken dishwasher or microwave and not be able to get it fixed. Thankfully, we’re here to help guide you.
According to Homeguide.com, the cost of an appliance repair service call is $70 to $130 for diagnostics and 1 hour of labor. If you don’t want to deal with an appliance repair service call cost, having a home warranty plan is a smart option. With Cinch, you’ll work with a network of professional, licensed and insured service providers who will take excellent care of you.
What appliances need the most repairs?
The appliances you use most frequently might be the most prone to need repairs. For example, many homeowners use refrigerators and washing machines almost every day, resulting in those appliances experiencing problems more frequently than other appliances.
Some issues with refrigerators involve malfunctioning water or ice dispensers, while front-loading washers might have issues with mold forming or the drum not spinning properly (or at all).
When investing in a refrigerator or washing machine, do your research. Read consumer reviews, scour ratings, and check that the options you’re looking for have the necessary items you prefer, such as a top-load washer or a dual-door refrigerator.
What appliances cost the most to repair?
In general, refrigerators are one of the most used appliances and, coincidentally, also one of the costliest to repair. They have multiple processes that can break down, such as ice makers, water dispensers, refrigerant lines, hoses and coils. Certain repairs, such as replacing a compressor, are expensive in terms of parts and labor.
Can I repair my appliance on my own?
As a homeowner, it can be enticing to want to learn how to repair your appliances yourself. Typically, all you would have to pay for is replacement parts, and you’d save on labor costs or any charge for a service call.
The answer is: It depends. A simple adjustment, such as cleaning a dryer vent or washing a filter can easily be a DIY job. If you are not handy, attempting more complicated repairs can make things worse. For example, you might replace a faulty part but overlook the root cause of the problem. Instead, a team of trained technicians can diagnose the root issue and ensure your appliance receives the proper repair and service. If you decide to go the DIY route, be aware that your work on an appliance can often void manufacturer warranties. Be sure to check your warranty terms and conditions.
Should I repair or replace my appliance?
How can you decide if an appliance is worth saving or if it’s time to replace it? A rule of thumb is if the repair cost is more than 50% of the price of a new model, you should consider replacing it. It may also be time for a new model when an appliance is near the end of its average life span. For example, the typical gas range lasts 15 years. If your 14-year-old stove stops working, it may be time for a new unit.
While investing in a new appliance is a one-time expense, you’ll save money in the long run. Most new appliances are more energy-efficient and use less electricity. Some, like dishwashers and washing machines, are designed to use less water. An Energy Star washer uses 33% less water than a regular washer.
It can be wise to keep newer appliances and ones that are less expensive to repair. It’s also a good idea to repair built-in appliances, such as wall ovens, if you can’t find replacements that fit the openings in your cabinetry.
Always be sure to check the product warranty if you have any issues. The warranty or a product recall might cover the repair cost.
Average home appliance repair costs
The average cost of an appliance repair varies based on the geographic location, type of repair and appliance type. It also costs more to fix older or more expensive appliances. The overall national average for appliance repair costs is $175, with $50 to $500 being the typical range. Repair technicians are an additional cost, typically charging between $50 and $150 per hour.
Here are some average appliance repair pricing estimates for 2023-2024.
What’s the average refrigerator repair cost?
When it comes to kitchen appliances, the refrigerator has one of the biggest impacts on the house if it stops working. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of repairing a refrigerator is $200 to $330, depending on what’s broken.
Common repairs include replacing the ice maker, which costs $300 to $350, and replacing the thermostat, which costs an average of $150 to $400. On the high end is the cost of replacing the compressor, which cools the appliance. If that fails, you’re in for an expensive replacement that can cost anywhere from $250 to $650. The average life span of a refrigerator is nine to 13 years.
Now that we’ve covered the average refrigerator repair cost, let’s take a look at refrigerator repair cost per hour. In other words, if you needed to call a technician to come over and take a look at your refrigerator, how much would it cost you? According to HomeAdvisor, your refrigerator service call cost depends on a few factors. “Some technicians might charge an hourly rate ranging from $50 to $200 per hour, plus a one-time service fee between $150 and $200."
Some of the most common refrigerator problems include:
- No water or ice from the dispenser
- Ice maker stops making ice
- Ice buildup in the refrigerator
- Leaking water
What’s the average microwave repair cost?
The microwave is one thing that most of us use on a daily basis. Whether we are heating up leftovers or taking a shortcut on a recipe, it adds great convenience to our lives. But eventually, all things break down with wear and tear. When this happens, you’ll likely ask yourself, how much does microwave repair cost?
If your microwave breaks, the cost of microwave repair can be stressful if it’s not part of your budget. While the repair expense averages $100 to $150 according to HomeAdvisor, you can avoid the cost of repairing microwave issues altogether by securing home warranty protection.
While fixing your microwave may be less daunting than facing cooktop repair costs, it is still an unexpected expense. The most frequent repair for over-the-range microwaves is the door latch. This issue occurs when the door remains ajar, and the microwave won’t run when it doesn't close. Other common problems in microwaves are broken turntable trays and malfunctioning exhaust fans. When debating whether to repair the microwave, consider that its average life span is nine years. Again, while a stove repair cost may be more, the simplicity and ease that a microwave brings make it worth it.
Common microwave complaints include:
- Control panel buttons not working
- Unusually loud sounds
- Doesn’t heat properly
- Door won’t close or lock
What’s the average dishwasher repair cost?
The dishwasher is a time-saving convenience that makes it easy to keep dirty dishes out of sight. The average dishwasher repair cost can range anywhere from $50 to $600. Usually, most people don’t worry about the cost of dishwasher repair until it’s too late. If you are worried about having to deal with dishwasher repair costs, do yourself a favor and get home warranty protection. The right plan, with a low monthly fee, will help cover the dishwasher technician's cost.
When it comes to a dishwasher, the parts that break down most frequently are the inlet valve, which controls water flow into the dishwasher, and the wash arm. If your dishwasher is close to nine years old, you might consider replacing it to avoid some of these popular dishwasher repair costs.
Frequent dishwasher issues include:
- Dishes don’t get clean
- Doesn’t dry thoroughly
- Doesn’t drain
- Control panel doesn’t work
What’s the average garbage disposal repair cost?
You’ll generally need to call a plumber to repair the garbage disposal, and the average cost will be between $70 and $400 according to HomeAdvisor. Repairs are most often needed because the garbage disposal is clogged, jammed or leaking. When a garbage disposal leaks, has frequent clogs or is nearing 10 years old, it may be time to replace it.
Signs of garbage disposal problems include:
- It’s jammed, so food drains slowly or backs up
- Won’t turn on
- Leaks
- Hums but doesn’t work
What’s the average wall oven repair cost?
Sooner or later, an oven will fail — hopefully not right before you host a big dinner on a holiday or special occasion. When it comes to figuring out oven repair costs, most people have no idea what to predict. Does it make sense repairing an oven, or should you just look into purchasing a new one? How expensive is an electric oven repair cost? Is a gas oven repair cost something you can afford? If these are the kinds of questions swirling in your head, we’re happy to provide some answers.
If your wall oven breaks, it will cost between $150 - $350 to repair it, according to HomeGuide.com.
There are several problems common in wall ovens. These include a door that won’t latch, which keeps the oven from turning on. Another is a faulty temperature sensor that prevents the oven from heating to the correct temperature. A burned-out interior light is another issue, requiring a replacement lightbulb. Expect a gas range to last 15 years and an electric range to work well for 13 years or more.
Wall oven worries typically include:
- Won’t heat
- Too noisy
- The door sticks or doesn’t close
- The fan doesn’t work
What’s the average freestanding ice maker repair cost?
While the ice maker in the refrigerator is convenient, it might not produce enough ice if you host large groups. One solution is a freestanding ice maker. These are installed under the counter and connect to a water line.
Repairing a freestanding ice maker costs from $100 to $1,000, according to HomeAdvisor. You might spend that money repairing common issues such as clogged condensers or just determining why the ice maker is noisy.
Common ice maker issues include:
- It doesn’t make ice
- The condensers are clogged
- It’s noisy
- The ice tastes bad
What’s the average washing machine repair cost?
Anyone who has had to haul laundry for the family to the laundromat knows how inconvenient a broken washing machine can be. When this happens, it’s easy to stress over washing machine repair costs. With so many bills stacked up, having washer repair costs loom over your head can be frustrating. So, how much is washer repair? Will it be a few hundred dollars, or are you looking at thousands? We’ve got some answers to guide you in the event you are faced with the cost for washing machine repair.
The cost of repairing a top-loader washing machine ranges from $50 - $450.
Front-load models are more expensive to repair.
With the risk of water damage to your home, experts advise repairing your washer as soon as you become aware of an issue. Parts that often break on washers are the drain pump that removes water from the drum and the tub bearings that help it spin smoothly. A washer near its life span of 10 years might not be worth repairing.
Common washing machine problems include:
- Mold forming in front-loader washers
- Drum not spinning
- The machine won’t drain
- The control panel or dials don’t work
What’s the average clothes dryer repair cost?
A broken dryer leads to the challenge of hanging wet clothes on the shower rod or spending quality time at the laundromat. This is something that no one looks forward to. However, if you’re faced with these unfortunate circumstances, it’s important that you understand washer and dryer repair costs. If you had to guess, what would you say the average dryer repair cost was? Would you expect a service call to be a couple hundred bucks? Or would you be prepared to pay for a new part that’s needed and will likely cost you a bit more? No matter what your anticipated dryer repair cost may be, it will certainly be an unplanned expense that sets you back. So, how much does it cost to repair a dryer? The average cost of repairing a dryer is $180 according to HomeAdvisor. Keep in mind that your gas dryer repair cost will be pricier than that of an electric dryer.
A common complaint about dryers is a broken thermal fuse, which protects the appliance from overheating. Another is a broken heating element, which warms the air that blows through the dryer. Expect a dryer to last for eight to 12 years.
The biggest dryer complaints include:
- Clothes don’t get dry
- Damaged motor, dryer belt or drum rollers
How to minimize repair costs
To help minimize repair costs, here are some things you can do.
Buy better appliances
Before buying an appliance, do your research. Look for reviews, ask friends, and talk to a salesperson or repair person about the most reliable brands. Buy the best appliance you can afford. A cheap appliance can cost you more down the line.
Do routine maintenance
Look at the manual and perform recommended maintenance, such as periodically cleaning a dishwasher’s filter or running a cleaning cycle on a washing machine.
Invest in efficiency
An older appliance that frequently breaks down results in rising repair and utility costs. Why repeatedly repair your appliance when you can buy a reliable new model and potentially reduce your electricity bill?
Clean the filters
Many appliances have a filter. Regularly cleaning these filters helps your machines work efficiently. Think about it. When was the last time you cleaned any of the following?
- The air filter in your over-the-range microwave
- The filter on the bottom of your dishwasher
- The air filter in your range hood
- The lint filter in your dryer
- Replaced the water or air filter in the refrigerator
- Cleaned or replaced filters in equipment not covered here, such as HVAC systems
Check the owner’s manual or Google your appliance for instructions on locating and cleaning the filters. Performing this routine maintenance will free your appliances of buildup and help them work longer and more efficiently.
Check the warranties
Check the product warranty to see if the manufacturer covers the repair. If so, they might send a technician to fix the appliance at no cost to you.
If you have a home warranty, read your contract. If the appliance is covered, it will be repaired for the cost of your deductible.
Ensure your appliances are covered with a Cinch warranty
A failing appliance is stressful enough without having to scramble to find a reputable appliance repair technician. There is no need to take a hard blow to your budget when a major appliance fails.
Consider the peace of mind of a home warranty. All of the appliances listed above are covered by a Cinch Appliances plan. A small monthly fee covers the repair or replacement of your major appliances. When something goes wrong, our customer service is available 24/7. We’ll send a vetted service provider to resolve the problem promptly and professionally. Get an instant quote today.
1The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty that may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.