Appliance Repair or Replace? How We Actually Decide
We'd rather tell you not to spend money with us than talk you into a repair that doesn't make sense. Here's the actual math we use.
People ask us this on almost every appliance call, usually right after we've found the problem: "Is it even worth fixing?" It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on three things, not one. Age alone isn't usually the deciding factor people expect it to be. We run this exact calculation all over our service area, from established neighborhoods in Washington City, where appliance repair and replacement is just part of the normal rhythm of an older home, to newer builds further out.
The 50% rule, with a real caveat
The common rule of thumb is: if the repair costs more than half of what a new unit costs, replace it. That's a reasonable starting point, but it misses something important: a $300 repair on a $1,200 refrigerator that's four years old is a very different decision than the same $300 repair on one that's fourteen years old and already had two other issues.
Has this specific appliance had other, unrelated problems in the last year or two? One issue is usually just one part wearing out. Two or three unrelated issues in a short window is often a sign the whole unit is starting to go, and the next failure is never far behind the one you're fixing today.
Where the real cost differences show up
Some repairs are cheap and clearly worth doing almost regardless of the appliance's age: a thermal fuse in a dryer, a water filter in a fridge, a wash arm nut in a dishwasher. These are all under fifty dollars in parts. The same logic applies to a dryer that suddenly won't start at all, which is usually a switch or a fuse, and to an oven that's off temperature, where one element, sensor or igniter is the common culprit. On the other end, a compressor replacement on a refrigerator or a control board on a newer, electronics-heavy washer can run several hundred dollars, and at that point, the appliance's age and history genuinely matter.
What we tell people, honestly
If the repair is simple and the appliance hasn't given you other trouble, fix it. That's most of our calls. If you're looking at a repair that's a third or more of what a new unit costs, and this isn't the first thing that's gone wrong, that's usually the point where replacing makes more sense than sinking more money into something on its way out anyway. We'll tell you which situation you're in before you pay for anything, not after.
If you'd like us to look at yours, here's how our appliance repair visits work, or you can book a time online.
Not sure which side of that line you're on? We can usually tell you over the phone before we even come out.
Call (435) 414-1667