What to look for
- Experience with your appliance brand
- Liability insurance
- Clear diagnostic and trip fees
- A warranty on parts and labor
- Reviews that mention honest repair-or-replace advice
Questions to ask before you hire
- What's the diagnostic fee, and is it credited toward the repair?
- Do you work on my brand and model?
- Do you carry common parts, or will you need to order them?
- What's the warranty on parts and labor?
- Is it worth repairing, given the appliance's age?
Getting and comparing quotes
Have your brand and model number ready when you call. Compare diagnostic fees and how they're handled, since that's often the first thing you'll pay for.
Red flags
- Won't say what the diagnostic fee is
- Starts repairs without a price
- Can't work on your brand
- Pushes a replacement without explaining the problem