What does appliance repair cost?
$150 – $450 covers most appliance repairs including parts and labor — the service call itself typically runs $75 – $150 and applies toward the repair.
The 50% rule: if the repair quote is more than half the cost of a comparable new unit — and the appliance is past half its expected life — replace it. An honest tech will tell you which side you're on.
Cost breakdown
Diagnostic / service call
$75 – $150Usually credited toward the repair
Dryer repair
$125 – $350Heating elements, belts, thermal fuses
Washer repair
$150 – $450Pumps, valves, control boards
Refrigerator repair
$200 – $600Sealed-system work runs higher — ask before approving
Oven / range repair
$150 – $450Igniters, elements, sensors
National ranges — your local quotes may vary. Get an exact number free below.
Researching appliance repair homeowner demand? Start with the contractor guide before choosing any acquisition channel.
Contractor guide ->Unlock the quote checklist
Use this before you compare appliance repair estimates, so every quote covers the same assumptions.
What moves your price
The 50% rule
Repair > 50% of replacement on an appliance past half its lifespan = replace. Under that = repair. It really is that simple.
Age of the unit
Washers and dishwashers last ~10 years, fridges 12–15, dryers 13. A $300 repair on a 12-year-old washer is a bad bet.
Parts availability
High-end and older units can have long part lead times — sometimes the repair is fine but the wait isn't.
What failed
Belts and elements are cheap. Compressors and control boards are where the 50% rule kicks in.
Individual appliance repair cost guides
Specific repairs, installs, treatments, and replacement jobs need their own price ranges. Start here if you already know the project.
Is GE appliance repair worth it?
GE is the most-repaired appliance brand in the US — parts are plentiful, every tech knows these machines, and most GE repairs run $150 – $400 depending on the appliance and the failure. For appliances under 10 years old, repair almost always beats replacement.
Read cost guideWhy is my dryer not heating?
When a dryer runs but produces no heat, the most common culprits are a blown thermal fuse ($100 – $200 repaired), a failed heating element ($150 – $300), or a completely clogged exhaust vent — which is free to check yourself and is the root cause behind most fuse failures.
Read cost guideWhy is my dryer not spinning?
A dryer that won't spin is most often a broken drive belt ($100 – $200 repaired) — you'll know it's the belt if the drum spins freely when you rotate it by hand with the door open. If the drum feels locked or resistance is abnormal, the issue is more likely a seized drum bearing or motor failure ($150 – $300).
Read cost guideWhy is my Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling?
On Frigidaire refrigerators, a warm fridge while the freezer stays cold is most often a defrost system failure with iced-over evaporator coils ($200 – $400 repaired) or a failed evaporator fan ($150 – $300). If both compartments are warming, the compressor start relay is the first thing to check ($100 – $200) — it's a $20 part and a common Frigidaire failure that masquerades as a full compressor failure.
Read cost guideWhy is my ice maker not working?
An ice maker that stops producing ice is most often caused by a frozen fill tube, a stuck ice arm, or a clogged water filter — all free or very cheap to fix. If those check out, the next likely cause is a failed water inlet valve ($150 – $250 repaired) or a bad ice maker module ($150 – $300).
Read cost guideWhy is my oven not heating up?
An oven that won't heat or won't reach temperature is most often a weak or failed igniter on gas ovens ($150 – $300 repaired) or a burned-out bake element on electric ovens ($150 – $300 repaired). These are the most common oven repairs in the country — both are straightforward, well-priced jobs with wide parts availability.
Read cost guideWhy is my refrigerator not cooling?
A refrigerator that's warm in the fridge section but still cold in the freezer is almost always an evaporator fan or defrost system failure ($150 – $300 repaired) — not a compressor problem. If both compartments are warming, that points to a more serious sealed-system issue ($400 – $900+), where the 50% rule matters most.
Read cost guideWhy is my Samsung dryer not heating?
On Samsung dryers, no-heat with the drum still spinning is most often a failed heating element ($150 – $280 repaired) or a blown thermal fuse ($100 – $200) — and the fuse usually blows because the exhaust vent is clogged. Check the vent first: it's free, and it's the #1 root cause.
Read cost guideWhy is my Whirlpool dryer not heating?
On Whirlpool dryers, a drum that spins but produces no heat is almost always a blown thermal fuse ($100 – $200 repaired) or a failed heating element ($150 – $300). On Affresh-era models (2015+), Whirlpool moved the thermal fuse to the exhaust duct housing — check there first if the vent looks clear.
Read cost guideWhy won't my washer drain?
A washer that won't drain is most often caused by a clogged pump filter ($0 – $100 to fix) or a kinked or blocked drain hose — both are DIY-friendly. If those check out clean, a failed drain pump ($150 – $300 repaired) is the next most likely cause.
Read cost guideWant the exact number for your house?
A local appliance repair pro can look at your exact situation and quote it — free, no obligation, and your info goes to one pro, not a call list.