A guide to appliance repair in Naperville
Located west of Chicago, Naperville, IL, is a great little city with plenty of charm, entertainment and services. It’s the third-largest city in Illinois and the largest suburb in the Chicagoland area. What’s more, it’s just a short train ride into Chicago. Residents have access to all the great events, museums, shops and more that the city has to offer without the constant hustle and bustle.
With a thriving downtown area consisting of shops, restaurants and bars, great schools, a range of housing options and even a local college, Naperville is one of the best suburbs to call home. Many businesses reside here as well. It’s a thriving city.
If you call Naperville or the surrounding area home or plan to move nearby, one benefit of so many thriving businesses is there are a lot of options when it comes to appliance repair in Naperville. But don’t get overwhelmed. If you are in the Naperville area and need a washing machine or dryer repair, we’re here to help you find the right appliance repair shop.
What to look for when choosing an appliance repair company in Naperville
Your search for a Naperville appliance repair shop begins online. There are a few pieces of information to research before deciding on the right appliance technician. This includes checking online ratings and reviews, reviewing their qualifications, noting their service area and more. Here is a quick list of what to look for when searching for an appliance repair company and how it can help determine if they are a good fit.
Online business reviews and ratings
A great way to determine if an appliance company is worth hiring is to read its current customer reviews and ratings. Reviews are on the company website, through the Better Business Bureau or on a third-party site, such as Angi, Yelp or Google. If the appliance repair shop does a poor job, someone will undoubtedly write a negative review about it.
Negative reviews alone, however, aren’t necessarily a red flag. Unhappy customers are always more likely to write a review than satisfied customers. So always weigh the number of negative reviews and positive ones. What’s more, consider how a company responds to its negative reviews. If the shop responds negatively or argumentatively, then there is a chance it is more interested in saving face than fixing the issue. However, if the company reaches out to help resolve the issue, it likely cares about its customers.
It is important to note that some review sites allow companies to pay for positive reviews. These are at the top of review pages and labeled as ads. While this isn’t a red flag against the company, keeping this in mind as you scroll through reviews is important.
How long they’ve been in business
Experience is always important regarding appliance repairs. This is especially true when it comes to working with major appliance brands. The best way to determine a home appliance repair shop’s experience is to see how long it has been in business. A business with years of experience must be doing something right if customers keep coming back.
Experienced techs have worked on a variety of brands and models, old and new. They are adaptable, which is a useful skill for fixing new appliances. Thanks to new technology, new models always add new features that may require extra know-how to troubleshoot an issue. The last thing you want is to make a service call for a refrigerator repair only to have the repair tech have no idea where to start.
Repair business qualifications
Along the same lines as experience, see if it is listed on certified sites such as Angi, Yellow Pages or Yelp.
Outside of being an accredited company, it’s important to note if it is qualified to work on your appliance brands. Some major brands require certified technicians to service their appliances if they fall under the manufacturer warranty. What’s more, if you own a luxury brand, such as Sub-Zero, Jenn-Air or Amana, working with a qualified technician will ensure they have the right tools and equipment for premium appliance repair.
Areas of Naperville the repair company serves
Anyone who lives in Naperville knows that it is big. This means that not every Naperville appliance repair shop will be able to service every area. If you live off Highway 59 near Aurora, then a shop south near Plainfield won’t necessarily work for you. What’s more, if you live in a nearby suburb, like Downers Grove, only a handful of companies serve your area.
The best way to ensure that an appliance repair company will service your area is to search for shops within your ZIP code. You can check with the shop directly to guarantee you are within its zone. Many shops list their service area on their websites, so always check online before calling ahead.
Questions to ask your Naperville appliance repair company
After researching and finding a few shops that you would consider hiring, it’s time to ask the important questions. Before making a service call, always ask for fees, warranties, insurance and availability information. Here are a few important questions to ask any potential appliance repair company in Naperville, Illinois.
Ask about their service warranty
What happens if your cooktop stops working right after your stove repair? What if a dishwasher repair only works for a week? Do you have to cover the cost of another repair service, or is it covered under a service warranty?
It’s always important to ask if a repair company offers a service warranty with its repairs. A service warranty covers the parts and labor used to repair your appliances. This means if something goes wrong, the company covers the work for a certain amount of time. The company will come out and fix the issue. This will help save you money if there are any further issues with your appliance.
It’s important to note that a service warranty is not the same as a manufacturer warranty. When you purchase a new appliance from brands such as Kenmore, Frigidaire or Maytag, it usually comes with a manufacturer warranty. This covers repairs for a defined time after purchase, so you don’t have to pay extra. The manufacturer covers the work, not the repair company.
Ask if they offer a home warranty
To help you save costs on home and appliance repairs, you should ask if the appliance repair company offers home warranties. A home warranty generally covers the overall costs of repairs to home appliances and built-in services, such as your HVAC or plumbing system. A company such as Cinch Home Services offers plans to make yearly or monthly payments, and you won’t have to worry about surprise repair costs. What’s more, they will even send in vetted and reliable technicians to make the repairs.
Features, repairs and offers for home warranties vary from company to company. However, if you want to help save your budget while keeping your home up and running, they are a great asset. Ask repair companies in the Naperville area about warranties and weigh your options because it is always nice to know a home warranty covers you.
Ask about their experience with your brand of appliances
As mentioned before, it’s always important to make sure your appliance repairman has experience with your brand of appliance. A Whirlpoolwashing machine repair isn’t always the same as a Kenmorewasher repair. What’s more, brands like Samsung, Bosch and KitchenAid are always coming up with new technology to add to their products. So, keeping up with brand features is important to repairing appliances.
If you have new appliances still under the manufacturer warranty, ask if the repair tech qualifies to repair the appliance under warranty. You don’t want to hire the wrong repairman to fix your ice maker only to invalidate your refrigerator warranty. Call the manufacturer if you are unsure if your appliance repair service company can make repairs under your warranty. They will point you in the right direction.
Ask about pricing, fees, estimates, forms of payment and more
A repair shop determines repair costs by the cost of labor and parts. So, a repair company won’t be able to tell you the final cost of a repair when you make your service call. However, it can tell you if there are any additional service fees added to your bill. Knowing about any fees will help you manage your repair budget.
Ask what forms of payment they accept. Most appliance repair shops will accept credit and debit cards. If the company insists on you paying in cash, it is a red flag due to the high cost of repairs.
If you struggle to find the funds for your repairs, ask if the shop offers financing, installment payments or credit. Ask if it has any lender recommendations if it does not offer financing in the shop.
Ask about the repair company’s insurance
If something goes wrong during your repair, it’s important to know the company’s insurance policy. Knowing your liability is key. Here are a few questions to ask about what its insurance covers under the company insurance versus your insurance in the event of an accident, injury or property damage.
- Which insurance covers injuries to the repair technician?
- Which insurance covers injuries to the homeowner or their family?
- Does the insurance policy cover any property damage?
- Is the repaired appliance covered under the insurance plan?
- What, if any, parts of the service will homeowners insurance cover?
- What steps should you take if there is an accident during the service appointment?
- How can you file a claim against the company’s insurance?
Check the repair company’s appointment availability
Whether you need next-day service or your repair can wait a while, checking appointment availability is a great way to determine if a repair company is right for you. If they are booked up and you need service quickly, it isn’t the right fit.
Most companies allow customers to make service appointments online through their websites. Others have customers fill out information forms, then contact customers by phone to set up a time that works with the client’s schedule. If you have a limited schedule or need assistance ASAP, call the repair company to ask when it can fit you in.
Other important questions to ask
Finding the right appliance repair shop in Naperville can be daunting. If you are having a hard time narrowing down your options, here are a few follow-up questions to help weed out the field.
- What are the average costs of repairs on your appliance?
- Are there any extended home, appliance or service warranties offered?
- Will you work with my homeowners insurance for appliance repairs or replacements?
- Do you sell any service plans? What is offered?
- Are there any discounted appliance replacement offers?
- Do you offer same-day or emergency repair services? Are there extra costs?
- What are your extended service or emergency hours?
- Are there extra charges if repairs go beyond your service hours?
- Are there policies for pre-existing conditions?
- What is the best way to contact customer service before, during and after my service appointment?
- Can I manage my service appointments online?
What to do when you have an appliance emergency in Naperville
Sometimes appliances break at the worst possible times. Whether it’s in the middle of the night or on weekends, there will be times when you need an appliance repair service outside of service hours. Make sure you have an appliance repair shop that offers these services.
Same-day, after-hours or emergency services might cost more than standard repair appointments. Always check your repair shop’s policies for after-hours service. If it does not offer this service, ask if there is another company it partners with or one it recommends for emergencies.
What’s the best appliance repair service in Naperville?
Finding the best appliance repair company in Naperville, Illinois, is all about researching and asking the right questions. It doesn’t matter which company you choose, as long as it meets your standards and fits your needs. But the best company will always have the following:
- Great customer service and workmanship
- Positive reviews
- Proper certifications and qualifications
- Experience with major brands and new models
- Competitive prices
- Reliable service in your area
- A service warranty
Let Cinch handle the process of finding a professional repair person for you
When a major appliance breaks down, a Cinch home warranty has you covered. The Cinch Appliances plan makes it easy to get a vetted and reliable technician out to get your home back up and running at your convenience.
Cinch offers three warranty plans to help you save money on costly home repairs. Each warranty comes with a 180-day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs.
- Cinch Appliances plan. This plan covers all major appliances, including washers, stoves, ice makers and more.
- Cinch Built-in Systems plan. This plan covers your home’s built-in systems, including the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
- Cinch Complete Home plan. The perfect combination of the appliance warranty and built-in systems warranty. It also includes a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement.
- Customizable. Cinch offers optional add-ons that allows you to customize your plan. This is perfect if your home includes a pool or spa.
Find the right home warranty for you and help protect your home from unexpected repairs. Get a quote today!