A guide to appliance repair in Charlotte
Charlotte was the fastest-growing city in North Carolina between 2020 and 2021, according to the latest U.S. Census report. Approximately 84 people per day moved into the Charlotte region during that time. Additionally, with supply-chain issues, more homeowners in Charlotte and around the country might not be able to buy a new appliance to replace one that isn't working.
With so many new Queen City residents and problems getting new appliances, you can imagine many people are looking for a great general appliance repair company.
When searching for a provider, you may not know where to begin your search, how to learn more about these companies’ reputations, or what kinds of questions you should ask a potential repair company to help you make the most informed decision.
So, we are here with tips on choosing the best home appliance repair providers in the Charlotte area.
What to look for when choosing an appliance repair company in Charlotte
Looking for an appliance repair company in Charlotte, but not sure where to start? You can begin by researching online for qualifications, reviews and certifications for appliance repair in Charlotte and surrounding areas to narrow down your options.
After you’ve narrowed down your options, contact your appliance repair company to ask a few pertinent questions. Below we’ve shared some more details on each of these steps.
Online business reviews and ratings
Online reviews are a great way to learn more about potential appliance repair providers. You can gauge customer satisfaction and find locations and links to websites when available. You can find online reviews on several websites, apps and social media platforms.
A general search on Google for "refrigerator repairCharlotte NC reviews" (or something similar) will bring results for review websites and Google business listings. Google business listings show up along the right side of the results page. They often include a link to Google maps with locations, a link to the company website, hours of operation, phone number and other helpful information. So, this is an excellent place to start searching for convenient locations near your home.
You can also find reviews on websites and apps like Yelp and Facebook. It's not a bad idea to check multiple review sites to ensure you get a complete picture of a business's reputation.
How long they’ve been in business
One good indicator homeowners can look for when choosing appliance repair services is the time a company has been in business. Time in business can be an indicator of both experience and level of service. It may also be easier to get a feel for the reputation of a well-established company.
If it’s not immediately clear from a company’s website, you can find out how long a business has been around by checking the North Carolina business registration. You can also check the dates on reviews and check for feedback from previous years.
There might be businesses that have not been open long that are still very good at what they do. If you find a younger company you’d like to consider, check its current certifications and follow the other steps below.
Repair business qualifications
Hiring an uncertified appliance repair company or handyman might be less expensive initially. But it can also put you in a difficult position if the repair is not completed correctly. You may have already paid the mechanic before realizing your appliance is not working as it should. Without certifications, you may have no recourse and be forced to pay another company to complete the work correctly.
You should also ensure that the appliance repair service has current state and federal certifications, state insurance and licensing. You can search to see if a business is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Companies accredited by the BBB receive a rating from the organization based on business practices and customer reviews. Not all reputable businesses will have BBB accreditation, but those that do have gone the extra mile.
Angi (formerly Angie’s List) gives homeowners another way to check for qualifications, recommendations and reviews. Angi only allows certified businesses to participate on its platform, and it includes star ratings from actual customers. You can also book work and compare quotes on the platform. The only downside to Angi is that you must provide your contact information (address, email and phone) to see the information.
You may also be able to find out-of-warranty certified appliance repair on manufacturer websites. For example, some major brand websites have an area to recommend manufacturer-certified businesses. For example, Frigidaire’s corporate website allows users to see a list of refrigerator repair providers in the Charlotte area.
Areas of Charlotte the repair company serves
Some Charlotte-based appliance repair companies serve all surrounding areas. However, some providers focus on specific parts of the city. Check the company’s service area to ensure it can help you where you are and that there will not be additional fees for travel to your location.
Charlotte area providers typically also serve these cities in North Carolina:
- Ballantyne
- Concord
- Huntersville
- Indian Trail
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Monroe
- Mooresville
- Pineville
- Stallings
- Waxhaw
- Weddington
Some venture into nearby South Carolina cities, including:
- Clover
- Fort Mill
- Lancaster
- Rock Hill
Questions to ask your Charlotte appliance repair company
Once you have your appliance repair shortlist ready, it’s time to contact your potential providers and ask questions about how they operate.
There are differentiators, like if they offer a service warranty, experience with certain kinds of appliances or specific brands, insurance coverage in case something goes wrong, and the current availability of their repair technicians. Below is a list of questions you can pose to a potential appliance repair company.
Ask about their service warranty
Companies that provide reliable service and care about customer satisfaction often have a service warranty for their work. You can check the company website to see if it provides a service warranty and any associated details. If you can’t find the information on the site, call and ask if they offer a service warranty for their work. Ask how long the warranty is good for and what the warranty offering includes (e.g., parts, labor).
You may also wish to consider a home warranty that covers appliances from a third-party provider.
Ask about their experience with your brand of appliances
Some appliance repair providers will have more experience or a relationship with specific name-brand manufacturers. Ask your potential repair company if it has experience with the type of appliance (e.g., refrigerator, stovetop, cooktop, microwave, etc.) you need to repair. You can verify that it has certified technicians with your specific home appliance brand (Sears, Frigidaire, Viking, Thermador, Kenmore, etc.) on staff.
Some major brands (Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Samsung, etc.) have a significant commercial appliance component, so you might ask if the company’s experience with those brands falls into a commercial or residential category. You may also want to ask if the company has experience with smaller jobs, like ice makers or garbage disposals.
If you have a newer appliance that offers networked capabilities (like a Samsung smart fridge), you may want to ask the company if it has specific experience managing networked machines. Companies with experience with one particular major brand may have repair technicians who have received specialized training. Additionally, providers with specific brand experience may have established relationships with vendors to help them quickly find and obtain replacement parts.
Ask about pricing, fees, estimates, forms of payment and more
It’s wise to get all your cost questions on the table before the actual work begins. When you're communicating with a potential appliance repair company, inquire about pricing, fees, estimates and forms of payment ASAP. After the provider has all the information needed, it should be able to provide you with an estimate in advance.
A typical repair quote should include:
- Initial visit fee (for when an appliance is inspected, and the problem is diagnosed)
- Hourly labor charge
- List of replaced parts used
- Any additional costs (rush fee, weekend charge, travel fee, etc.)
Sometimes a provider may ask for an upfront payment to reserve a repair technician's time, or you may have to pay in advance for a particular part. Ask about the policies for refunding any of those costs in the event of extreme delays that are more common in light of recent supply-chain issues. You may also face a fee if you cancel a service call without sufficient notice, so be sure to schedule accordingly.
Occasionally, a provider may want to deal only with cash or check payments. Or a repairman (or repairwoman) might only accept credit card payment and not take cash or check for the service. While it is typical for a certified appliance repair company to accept all forms of payment, it's always good to know in advance to avoid a surprise when payment is due.
If you're anticipating a large repair bill, you can ask for an estimate and find out if any price guarantees are associated with a provided estimate.
Ask about the repair company’s insurance
Your appliance repair company should also have insurance covering some or all of the repairs that go wrong. Ask your potential provider about its insurance policies to have a complete picture of your liability in case of an issue after the repair is done. Hopefully, you will never need to find out, but your potential provider should be able to answer these questions for you.
Check the repair company’s appointment availability
Another consideration for choosing an appliance repair company is its appointment availability. Be sure to get an idea of available technician times so you won't be stuck on a long waiting list for the first available service. You can also ask if it allows time in their scheduling to get you back in quickly if they miss an appointment so that you won't be stuck on a long waiting list for service due to overscheduling.
Sometimes the highest-rated companies will have the highest demand and longer wait times, but not always. Sometimes a company is highly rated because it is well-staffed and can quickly handle your repairs.
What to do when you have an appliance emergency in Charlotte
Suppose your appliance breaks down unexpectedly and must be repaired immediately. In this case, you’ll need to find a provider that does emergency service calls (possibly after hours) and has an experienced repair person who can fix your problem quickly.
These urgent service calls are typically priced at a premium. Some businesses specialize in emergency appliance repairs and still offer competitive rates, so it may not be a waste of time to do some comparison price shopping.
Do whatever you can to maintain your major appliances. For example, take care of your regular HVAC maintenance, never overload your washing machine, and keep your dryer vents clear.
What’s the best appliance repair service in Charlotte?
There are many quality appliance repair services in Charlotte. Finding the best one for you will depend on finding someone with expertise in your broken unit’s specific appliance type and manufacturer. The business should also have a history of positive reviews that highlight customer service, offer a service warranty, and work at a price that you find appropriate.
Let Cinch handle the process of finding a professional Charlotte repair person for you
When you’re a Cinch Home Services customer, you get the pleasure of sitting back and letting Cinch handle the process of finding the right Charlotte appliance repair company for you. Simply make a service request directly through Cinch for a covered appliance or system, and Cinch will handle the process of locating an extensively vetted, fully insured and professional appliance technician who can come directly to your home in a timely fashion.
A Cinch home warranty is easy to sign up for, and we offer multiple options based on your needs. For instance, a Cinch Appliances plan covers appliances, including normal wear and tear and other mechanical failures that are often not covered by insurance providers or manufacturer warranties. Reach out for your instant quote today!