At a Glance:
Appliance Repair at Don’s Appliances
No one plans for appliance troubles, so when they do happen, it’s a race to fix the problem quickly and affordably. While recent surveys reveal that the average cost for appliance repair is around $175, the cost could actually be much greater, depending on what the damage is. The best line of defense is knowledge, by which we mean knowing common appliance issues and the appliance repair cost for each problem.
While there are certainly one-off cases that require special attention, we’ve seen our fair share of appliance problems, so we know which ones to look out for the most. Now, we’ve gathered up our experience and put it together here in a “cheat sheet” for homeowners to use just in case problems start happening.
Refrigerator Repair Cost
It goes without saying that the refrigerator is the workhorse of the home. Unlike other appliances, fridges are continuously working 24 hours a day to keep steady internal temperatures to preserve fresh and frozen food.
It doesn’t come as a surprise then that 27 percent of homeowners report refrigerator issues within the first five years of purchase. The degree of repair depends on the type of refrigerator. For instance, a top freezer refrigerator is simpler than a Samsung touchscreen refrigerator.
Most common refrigerator problems:
❌ Refrigerator not cooling — In most cases, this is a thermostat issue, which can cost up to $450 to replace.
❌ A loud noise — This is a major indication that your refrigerator compressor is having issues. The compressor is what is responsible for pumping refrigerant throughout the appliance.
❌ Ice maker issues — Whether it’s leaking or failure to make ice, refrigerators with dispensers are notorious for requiring repairs to their water and ice dispensers, which can lead up to a repair bill of around $300.
Related: How to Fix a Refrigerator
Dishwasher Repair Cost
It goes without saying, dishwashers are essential kitchen tools that busy households just can’t do without. The truth is that a dishwasher can save a substantial amount of water (some surveys suggest up to 5,000 gallons a year), not to mention all the time saved versus washing dishes by hand.
However, dishwashers are one of the more commonly broken kitchen appliances with roughly 30 percent of models requiring some type of work within the first five years of use. Taking into consideration that dishwashers are made to last around 10 years, that’s an alarming stat to digest.
Many of the issues stem from how many parts a dishwasher has: a dishwasher hose; door gaskets; spray arms; jet nozzles; water valves and sensors. Any one of these parts can become damaged, and since damage to a dishwasher often leads to water leakage, a broken dishwasher can often mean the additional cost of floor and cabinet water damage repair.
Most common dishwasher problems:
❌ A broken dishwasher hose — Easily one of the sneakiest dishwasher repairs is a bad hose. Because a dishwasher hose is hidden behind a door, it’s easy to miss this problem. The good news is that replacing a dishwasher hose is comes at a relatively low appliance repair cost at around $50 to $100.
❌ Leaky gaskets — In a pinch, users can do a little DIY to replace old or damaged dishwasher gaskets that are leading to water leakage. If a professional is hired for the job, though, anticipate a fee of around $50 to $150.
❌ A bad water pump — One of the more costly dishwasher repairs is a bad water pump. Starting estimates are around $150, though, depending on the model and brand, fixing a dishwasher pump can jump as high as $600 or more. In general, this is an advanced dishwasher repair that we recommend hiring a professional to perform.
❌ A damaged spray arm — While a dishwasher’s spray arm is an essential part of the appliance, replacing one isn’t too hard. If you want to save a little, consider doing the job yourself, otherwise expect to pay $75 to $150 for the service.
Learn More: How to Fix a Dishwasher
Dryer Repair Cost
It can be frustrating to open a dryer only to find out it hasn’t been getting hot or tumbling your clothes. The silver lining is that dryers are pretty simple appliances, generally speaking, and many of the problems users face can be solved without an expert appliance technician. But keep in mind that gas dryers and electric dryers are considered different, with repair costs for gas models generally costing more than electric.
Most common dryer problems:
❌ Broken dryer thermostat — Surprisingly, many dryer users are unaware how bad heat exposure is to fabric. That’s where a dryer thermostat comes in, acting as a temperature gauge to prevent clothes from drying too long or too hot. Fixing a dryer thermostat is costly with an average cost of $250.
❌ Snapped dryer belt — Here’s another appliance repair that you can do yourself if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease. Doing so is extremely cost-efficient at about $50 on the higher end of a belt purchase. If you prefer to have a professional to the repair for you, it can cost up to three to five times more.
❌ A bad dryer motor — If the problem is a dryer that doesn’t rotate but the belt is fine, the issue is most likely a bad dryer motor. A tell-tale sign your dryer motor is broken is a humming sound once the dryer is turned on. With that said, the repair isn’t the most expensive with prices around $250 for more involved repairs.
Washing Machine Repair Cost
There’s nothing like being able to wash your clothes in the comfort of your home. However, washers are one of the most serviced home appliances. Aside from being a nuisance, broken washers can be messy, and after a while, they can even begin to smell if the problem is water-related.
Common washing machine problems:
❌ Leaking washing machine — Like a dishwasher, you’ll want to address a leaking washing machine as soon as possible to avoid damage to the floor. The cost is usually around $150 to diagnose and fix the problem.
❌ Washer tub doesn’t fill with water — In most cases, a washer that doesn’t fill with water is due to a fault switch. While a simple fix, this appliance repair cots is about $150.
More Tips: How to Fix a Washing Machine
Appliance Repair at Don’s Appliances
We understand if you’re on the fence about fixing an appliance yourself. The good news is that Don’s Appliance also has reliable appliance repair Pittsburgh shoppers have trusted for more than 40 years. On top of that, we’re also a "Top 100 Servicer" by Sub-Zero/Wolf, but no matter which brand or model, our appliance technicians are capable of troubleshooting and fixing your appliance for you.
To get started, simply fill out our online service request form and one of our experts will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. Outside of the area? Not to worry! We service more than Pittsburgh — within a 125-mile radius, to be exact!
As much as we pride ourselves in providing top appliances for our shoppers, we’re equally as proud about being experts in the products we sell. That’s what makes us a leading Pittsburgh appliance repair center the home of independent appliances Pittsburgh buyers know and trust.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for some advice. Whether it’s fixing your broken appliance or replacing it with a new one, we can help you with your appliance problems.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Explore Appliance Repair Services at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop new appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you understand appliance repair cost — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: Refrigerator Not Cooling? Common Reasons Why