Average home appliance repair costs in 2022
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.
Let’s discuss the average repair costs for the most common household appliances.
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 your bank.
With a Cinch Home Services Appliances plan, 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), and the warranty covers the cost of repairs or a replacement.
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, so they might experience 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 most costly 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. All you’d 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, call your local appliance expert, like Fixd Appliance Repair in Dallas, TX. Their 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 replace it. It’s also 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 in 2022
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 2022.
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, an average of $100 to $440. 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.
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?
If your microwave breaks, the repair expense averages $100 to $200, according to HomeAdvisor. The most frequent repair for over-the-range microwaves is the door latch. The door remains ajar and the microwave won’t run when it doesn't close.
Other common problems in microwaves are a broken turntable tray and malfunctioning exhaust fan. When debating whether to repair the microwave, consider its average life span is nine years.
Common microwave complaints include:
- Control panel buttons not working
- Unusually loud
- 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. An average repair cost ranges anywhere from $50 to $600.
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, consider replacing it.
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 cooktop repair cost?
A cooktop is built into a counter and usually has a range hood above it. There is generally also a separate double wall oven in the kitchen.
The average price to repair a stovetop can be as little as $20 to $30 to replace a stove burner coil, according to HomeAdvisor. On the high end, fixing the electronics or replacing a scratched glass stovetop can cost up to $600. In gas cooktops, the ignition system — which creates a spark to light the gas — often leads to repair calls. A cooktop has a life span of 15 to 18 years.
Common cooktop problems include:
- A gas (or electric) burner won’t light
- Leaking gas
- Continued clicks after the burner lights
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 is 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. If your wall oven breaks, it will cost between $150 to $400 to repair it, according to HomeAdvisor.
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 install 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. The cost of repairing a top-loader washing machine averages $175, according to HomeAdvisor. 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. The average cost of repairing a dryer is $180, according to HomeAdvisor, with electric dryers being less expensive to repair than gas dryers.
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? The most efficient appliances are Energy Star certified.
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 pro to resolve the problem promptly and professionally. Get an instant quote today.