Repair or replace? A no-nonsense rule for Birmingham homeowners
Two questions decide most cases: how old is it, and what's the quote compared to a new one.
The 50% rule
If the repair costs more than about half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is past roughly half its expected life, replacing usually wins. Under both thresholds, repair usually wins.
Rough life expectancy
| Appliance | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10–15 yrs |
| Range/oven | 13–15 yrs |
| Dryer | 10–13 yrs |
| Washer | 10–12 yrs |
| Dishwasher | 9–10 yrs |
Repairs that are almost always worth it
- Dryer thermal fuse, belt or idler pulley
- Washer drain pump or door lock
- Dishwasher drain pump, inlet valve or clogged filter
- Fridge defrost heater/thermostat, evaporator fan, ice maker
Repairs that often aren't
- Sealed-system refrigerator work (compressor, refrigerant leak) on a fridge over ~8 years
- Control/main board on an inexpensive unit near end of life
- Washer transmission or tub bearings on a budget top-loader
Before you call
Write down the model and serial number (fridge: inside the fresh-food wall; washer/dryer: under the lid or door rim; dishwasher: edge of the door), any error code, and what it's doing. Ask the tech: diagnostic/trip fee, whether it's credited toward the repair, and the parts-and-labor warranty length.