Our refrigerator started making a grinding noise last October. Not the normal hum. A rhythmic scraping sound, like something was caught in a fan. The freezer still froze and the fridge still chilled, but that noise meant something was wrong, and I knew ignoring it would eventually mean no cold anything.
The question everyone asks when an appliance breaks: repair or replace?
The answer almost always comes down to cost, how much will the repair run, how old is the machine, and what’s the replacement price. I’ve been through this calculus with a dishwasher, two washing machines, and now the refrigerator. Here’s what I’ve learned about appliance repair costs.
What Does Appliance Repair Cost on Average?
Most appliance repairs cost between $150 and $400, including the service call and labor. The service call alone typically runs $50 to $150 just for a technician to diagnose the problem, and parts vary wildly depending on what failed. Simple fixes like replacing a door seal or cleaning a clogged filter stay under $200. Complex repairs involving compressors, control boards, or motors can reach $500 to $800. At some point, the repair cost approaches replacement cost, and the math changes.
Expect these rough ranges for common appliances as of December 2025: refrigerator repairs $200 to $600, washing machine repairs $150 to $450, dryer repairs $100 to $400, dishwasher repairs $150 to $400, oven and range repairs $150 to $500, microwave repairs $100 to $300. Your actual costs depend on what broke, the appliance brand, and labor rates in your area.
The Service Call Fee Explained
Almost every appliance repair company charges a diagnostic fee, which covers the technician’s time to travel to your home, examine the appliance, and identify what’s wrong. Service call fees typically range from $50 to $150. Some companies apply this fee toward your total repair cost if you proceed with the work. Others charge it regardless. Ask before scheduling.
A few companies offer free diagnostics. Be cautious. Free estimates sometimes mean inflated repair quotes to compensate, so compare the total projected cost not just the service fee.
The service call usually includes visual inspection of the appliance, basic functional testing, identification of the likely failed component, and a repair estimate covering parts and labor. If you decline the repair you still owe the service call fee. This is standard practice. The technician’s time has value whether you proceed or not.
Appliance-by-Appliance Repair Cost Breakdown
Different appliances fail in different ways.
Refrigerator Repair Costs
Refrigerators have multiple systems that can fail independently. Thermostat replacement runs $100 to $250, the thermostat regulates temperature and when it fails the fridge runs constantly or not at all. Evaporator fan motor costs $150 to $400, this circulates cold air inside, and that grinding noise from our fridge turned out to be a failing evaporator fan bearing, repair cost $280. Compressor replacement runs $400 to $800 for parts and labor, the compressor is the heart of the cooling system and this repair often approaches replacement cost for older fridges. Ice maker repair costs $150 to $350, ice makers involve water lines, motors, and sensors with multiple potential failure points. Door seal replacement is $50 to $150, relatively inexpensive but affects efficiency significantly. Control board replacement runs $300 to $600, modern fridges have electronic brains and when the board dies the appliance loses coordination between its systems.
Washing Machine Repair Costs
Washers experience mechanical stress with every load. Pump replacement costs $150 to $350, drain pumps fail from debris, socks, and coins that escape pockets. Belt replacement runs $75 to $200, older top-loaders use belts to spin the drum and belts fray, stretch, and break. Drum bearing repair costs $200 to $500, bearings support the heavy spinning drum and when they fail you hear grinding or rumbling during spin cycles. Control board issues run $250 to $500. Door latch replacement for front loaders costs $100 to $250, front loaders won’t run with a faulty door latch since safety interlocks prevent flooding. Motor replacement runs $300 to $600, and this is often a replace-the-appliance situation given the cost.
Dryer Repair Costs
Dryers are mechanically simpler than washers but handle significant heat stress. Heating element replacement costs $150 to $300, electric dryers use heating elements that burn out over time and the dryer runs but clothes stay wet. Thermal fuse replacement runs $75 to $200, this safety device cuts power if the dryer overheats and blocked vents often cause thermal fuse failures. Belt replacement costs $75 to $200, the drum spins via belt and snapped belts mean the drum won’t turn even though the motor runs. Drum rollers run $150 to $300, worn rollers create thumping or squealing sounds. Gas valve replacement for gas dryers costs $150 to $350, valve failures prevent ignition.
Dishwasher Repair Costs
Dishwashers combine water, detergent, and moving parts. Pump motor replacement costs $150 to $400, when it fails dishes come out dirty. Spray arm replacement runs $50 to $150, spray arms crack, clog, or lose pressure. Door latch assembly costs $100 to $200, and about half the time when a dishwasher won’t turn on this is the diagnosis. Control panel replacement runs $200 to $450, touchpad controls and electronic boards fail from moisture exposure and age. Water inlet valve replacement costs $100 to $250, this valve controls water flowing into the dishwasher and failures cause either no fill or constant filling.
The Repair vs. Replace Decision
This calculation haunts every appliance breakdown.
If the repair costs more than 50% of replacement cost, lean toward replacing. A $400 repair on a $700 dishwasher is questionable. A $200 repair on the same dishwasher makes sense. Consider appliance age, most major appliances last 10 to 15 years, and repairing a 12-year-old refrigerator means buying time before eventual replacement anyway while repairing a 4-year-old refrigerator extends significant useful life.
Factor energy efficiency because older appliances use more electricity and water than current models, sometimes replacement saves money through reduced utility bills. Account for repair history, if you’ve already repaired this appliance twice in two years the pattern suggests ongoing problems, and at some point cumulative repair costs exceed replacement value.
Our decision-making process. The refrigerator with the grinding fan was six years old, mid-life for a fridge, and the $280 repair made sense because we expect another eight to ten years of service. Our previous washing machine hit us with a $350 drum bearing estimate at age eleven, the washer had already needed pump work two years earlier, combined repairs approached half the replacement cost on an aging machine. We replaced it.
How to Reduce Appliance Repair Costs
Perform basic maintenance, clean refrigerator coils annually, clear dryer vents regularly, run dishwasher cleaner monthly, maintenance extends appliance life and prevents some breakdowns. Address small problems before they escalate, that strange noise or minor leak signals something wrong, catching issues early often means cheaper repairs than waiting for complete failure. Get multiple estimates, repair costs vary between companies, for non-urgent situations get two or three quotes, the range sometimes surprises.
Ask about parts options because OEM original manufacturer parts cost more than aftermarket alternatives, for some repairs generic parts work fine, for others OEM matters, ask your technician. Check warranty coverage, many appliances include parts warranties beyond the basic coverage period, compressors often carry 5 to 10 year warranties, control boards sometimes have extended coverage. Consider repair protection plans, home warranties and appliance protection plans have mixed reviews, some save money, others collect premiums for coverage you never use. Learn simple fixes yourself, replacing a refrigerator water filter, cleaning a dishwasher filter, or swapping a dryer belt are manageable DIY tasks.
Finding a Reliable Appliance Repair Service
Check reviews and ratings, look for patterns in customer feedback, consistent complaints about pricing surprises or incomplete repairs are red flags. Verify licensing if required, some states require appliance repair licensing while others don’t, know your state’s requirements. Ask about warranties on repairs, reputable companies guarantee their work for 30 to 90 days minimum, if the same problem recurs they’ll address it without additional charges.
Request itemized estimates, your quote should break down the service call, labor hours, and parts costs, lump-sum quotes hide the math. Confirm parts sourcing, ask whether the technician uses manufacturer parts, aftermarket alternatives, or refurbished components, each has tradeoffs for cost and longevity. Beware of pressure tactics, technicians who insist you decide immediately or claim prices increase tomorrow are using sales pressure not honest diagnosis.
When to Skip the Repair Call Entirely
Reset before calling, many appliance issues resolve with a simple reset, unplug the appliance for one minute then restore power, this clears electronic glitches more often than you’d expect. Clean filters and vents, a dishwasher that won’t drain might just have a clogged filter, a dryer that won’t heat might have a blocked vent, check these free fixes first. Inspect for obvious problems, power cords sometimes come loose, water supply valves occasionally get bumped closed, door latches catch debris. Check the circuit breaker. Read your manual, manuals include troubleshooting sections for common issues.
Common Questions About Appliance Repair
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old refrigerator? Usually yes for repairs under $400. Refrigerators commonly last 15 to 20 years and a decade-old fridge potentially has significant life remaining if major components are intact.
Why do repair estimates vary so much between companies? Labor rates, parts markup, and business overhead differ. Some companies also quote higher hoping you’ll accept rather than shop around.
Should I buy extended warranties on new appliances? Debatable. Most appliances survive the warranty period without issues, and extended warranties profit companies precisely because claims are infrequent.
Can I supply my own parts to reduce costs? Some technicians accept customer-supplied parts while others won’t, citing warranty and liability concerns. Ask before purchasing anything.
Pricing reflects typical ranges as of December 2025. Costs vary by location, brand, and specific repair needs. Always get written estimates before authorizing work.
