Appliance repair
Compare local appliance repair technicians for refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers. 3,615 pros listed in 1,377 cities across 48 states.
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
Appliance Repair by city
What appliance repair covers
Appliance technicians diagnose and repair refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges and cooktops, microwaves, garbage disposals and ice makers. Common faults are failed pumps, motors, heating elements, igniters, thermostats, door switches and control boards.
Some technicians are authorised by particular brands to do warranty work; others repair most brands. If your appliance is under the manufacturer’s warranty, call the manufacturer first — an outside repair can void it.
Before you call: quick checks
- Power: is it plugged in, and has a breaker tripped or a GFCI outlet cut out?
- Water: are supply valves open, and are hoses kinked? Is the filter or drain trap clogged?
- Settings: child locks, delay start and demo modes catch people out.
- Dryers: a full lint screen or a crushed or blocked vent makes drying slow and is a fire risk.
- Write down the brand, model and serial number (usually on a label inside the door or on the back) and any error code.
When to stop using it
Turn the appliance off and call for: a smell of gas near a range, oven or gas dryer (leave the house and call the gas company from outside); burning smells or smoke; sparks; water leaking onto the floor; or a refrigerator that has stopped cooling with food inside.
Gas appliances burn fuel and can produce carbon monoxide if they are faulty. CPSC advises carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas (CPSC).
How to choose an appliance repair technician
- Give the brand, model and fault when you book, so the technician can say whether they service it and bring likely parts.
- Ask about the service-call or diagnostic fee and whether it comes off the repair.
- For refrigerators and freezers with a sealed-system fault, ask whether the technician is EPA 608 certified — refrigerant work requires it.
- For gas appliances, ask about gas work: some states and cities require a licence to work on gas lines and connections.
- Ask for the diagnosis and price before the repair, and how long parts and labour are guaranteed.
What affects the cost
- Diagnostic or service-call fee.
- The part: a door switch or igniter is cheap; a compressor or control board is not.
- Brand and age — parts for some brands and older models cost more or are hard to find.
- Built-in and stacked units take longer to get at.
- Sealed-system refrigerator repairs, which need refrigerant handling.
- Return visits if a part has to be ordered.
On repair or replace: weigh the repair price against the appliance’s age, its condition and how often it has failed. Ask the technician for both numbers.
DIY or a pro, and disposal
Cleaning filters, lint screens, door seals and drain traps, and resetting the appliance by switching it off at the breaker for a minute, are homeowner jobs. Unplug or cut power before opening any panel. Leave gas connections, sealed refrigeration systems and anything behind a live panel to a technician.
If you replace a refrigerator, freezer or window AC, the refrigerant has to be recovered before it is scrapped — EPA sets safe disposal requirements for these appliances (EPA). Ask the retailer or your city how they collect old units.
Common questions
- Is it worth repairing an old appliance?
- It depends on the repair price, the appliance’s age and condition, and how often it has failed. Ask the technician for the repair price and an honest view on its life.
- Do appliance repair technicians charge a call-out fee?
- Most charge a service-call or diagnostic fee. Ask whether it is credited against the repair.
- Will a repair void my warranty?
- It can. If the appliance is under the manufacturer’s warranty, contact the manufacturer first for an authorised technician.
- Why is my dryer taking so long?
- Often a full lint screen or a blocked or crushed vent duct — which is also a fire risk. Clean the screen and check the vent before calling.
- Who can repair a refrigerator that is not cooling?
- Any appliance technician can diagnose it; sealed-system work with refrigerant needs an EPA 608 certified technician.
- What should I do if I smell gas near my stove?
- Do not switch anything on or off. Leave the house and call the gas company or 911 from outside.
Related services
Sources
Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers (no date shown; read October 2026)
- US EPA, Safe Disposal Requirements under Section 608 (last updated March 23, 2026)