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Repair or Replace
Is it worth fixing, or time for a new one?
Every appliance call starts with the same question. Here's the honest, no-sales-pitch way to think about it — age, repair cost, and what's still under warranty — before you decide.
Start here
Three questions, before anything else
These decide it more often than anything a salesperson will tell you.
How old is it?
Most major appliances have a typical working life of 9–15 years, depending on the type (see the table below). Early in that range, repair almost always makes sense. Past it, every repair is a bet on how much longer the rest of the unit holds up.
What does the repair cost, next to a new one?
A common rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than about half of what a new equivalent unit would cost, replacement is usually the better value — especially on an older appliance. Below that line, repair is almost always cheaper.
Is it still under warranty?
If the manufacturer's warranty (or an extended one) still covers the failed part, that changes the math completely. Check before you decide anything — it's an easy thing to forget on an appliance that's a few years old.
For reference
Typical appliance lifespans
| Appliance | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10–15 years |
| Sub-Zero / built-in refrigerator | 20–35+ years |
| Washer | 10–13 years |
| Dryer | 10–13 years |
| Dishwasher | 9–13 years |
| Oven / range | 13–15 years |
| Range hood | 10–15 years |
Our part in this
We diagnose first, then tell you straight
We don't make money by talking you into a repair that isn't worth it.
Real diagnosis, not a guess
We find out what's actually wrong before quoting anything. No flat-rate guessing based on the model number alone.
No charge for a repair we don't recommend
If the numbers point to replacement, we'll say so, and you won't be charged for a repair we advised against.
Same logic on high-end appliances
Built-in brands like Sub-Zero, Viking, and Thermador are usually worth repairing well past where a standard appliance wouldn't be, since replacement cost is so much higher. Sub-Zero units in particular commonly run 20 to 35 years or more — well beyond a standard refrigerator's lifespan — so repair almost always wins there.
Questions
Repair or replace FAQ
Is there a hard rule for when to replace instead of repair?
Not a hard rule, but a useful guideline: if the repair cost is more than about half the price of a new equivalent unit, and the appliance is already past its typical lifespan, replacement usually makes more sense. Below that, repair is almost always the better value.
Will you tell me if my appliance isn't worth repairing?
Yes, directly. We diagnose the actual problem first, then give you a straight answer, including on the times replacement is the better call. You won't be charged for a repair we don't recommend.
Are high-end appliances worth repairing longer than standard ones?
Often, yes. Built-in brands like Sub-Zero, Viking, and Thermador cost significantly more to replace than a standard appliance, so a repair that would tip the scale toward replacement on an everyday unit is often still the better value on a high-end one.
What if I'm not sure how old my appliance is?
The model and serial number, usually on a sticker inside the door or along an inner wall, can often be used to look up the manufacture date. We can help identify this during the diagnosis visit.
Not sure which way to go?
Get a real diagnosis first.
We'll look at what's actually wrong and give you a straight answer — repair or replace — before you spend anything.
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