Repair or replace? How to decide on a broken appliance
When an appliance breaks, the first question is usually whether it's worth fixing. There's no single rule, but three things answer it for most people.
1. How old is it?
Major appliances generally last around 10 to 15 years, depending on the type, brand and how heavily they're used. A five-year-old fridge with one failed part is usually worth repairing. A 14-year-old one with a sealed-system problem often isn't.
2. How does the repair cost compare with a new one?
A widely used guideline is the 50% rule: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, and the appliance is past the middle of its expected life, replacing it usually makes more sense.
3. Has it been reliable?
One repair on a dependable machine is normal. A third repair in two years suggests more failures are coming.
Other things worth weighing
- Built-in or custom-fit appliances can be costly to replace because of cabinetry and installation.
- Newer models may use noticeably less energy and water.
- Parts for some older models become hard to find.
What we do
After diagnosis we give you the repair price in writing. If we think replacement is the better choice for your situation, we'll say so before you spend anything.
After diagnosis we give you the repair price in writing. If we think replacement is the better choice for your situation, we'll say so before you spend anything.