Should I Repair or Replace My Appliance? An Honest Guide
The most common question we get on every service call is some version of: 'Is it even worth fixing?' We've been doing this long enough to give a straight answer — even when it costs us the job. Here's the honest framework we use, by appliance, so you can decide before a tech ever shows up.
Maintenance recommendations
The 50% / 50% rule
The industry standard: if a repair would cost more than 50% of replacement, and the appliance is more than 50% through its expected lifespan, replace it. Simple and works for most situations. Here are typical lifespans we use:
- Refrigerator: 13 years
- Washer: 10–12 years
- Dryer: 12–14 years
- Dishwasher: 9–10 years
- Wall oven / range: 15+ years
- Microwave (OTR or built-in): 9 years
- Garbage disposal: 8–10 years
Other factors that matter as much as cost
Sometimes it's worth fixing even when the math says replace, and vice versa. We weigh these too:
- Is it part of a matching kitchen suite? Built-ins are expensive to match.
- Are you planning to sell or remodel in the next 1–2 years?
- Has the same appliance been fixed twice already? It's telling you something.
- Are parts still available? Discontinued parts often kill a repair decision.
- Has energy efficiency changed dramatically? New fridges use 40% less power than 10-year-old ones.
Most common failures
Refrigerators: usually worth repairing under 8 years old
Anything except compressor or sealed-system failure is almost always worth fixing on a fridge under 8 years old. Past 10 years with a major component failure, replace it — repairs cascade.
Washers: depends heavily on type and age
Top-loaders past 10 years with transmission or bearing failure — replace. Front-loaders under 6 years with pump, valve, or motherboard failure — fix it; replacement runs $900–$1,500. High-end front-loaders (Miele, Speed Queen, LG WashTower) — almost always worth fixing.
Dryers: almost always worth fixing
Dryers are mechanically simple and parts are inexpensive. Even a 12-year-old dryer is usually worth a $250 repair. Exception: drum or cabinet damage.
Dishwashers: replace at 8+ years if major part fails
Dishwashers have the shortest useful life of any major kitchen appliance. Past 8 years with a pump or control board failure, replacement usually wins. Bosch, Miele, KitchenAid built-ins are exceptions — they're worth more repair effort.
Wall ovens: almost always fix
Replacement wall ovens are $1,500–$4,000+ plus install. Even significant repairs ($500–$700) pencil out. Plus you risk not finding a replacement that fits the existing cutout.
Microwaves (countertop): replace it
Standalone microwaves under $250 new — not worth more than a $75 fuse or bulb fix. OTR and built-in microwaves are different; those are worth repairing.
Garbage disposals: replace it
Disposals are inexpensive to replace ($150–$250 in parts) and the install is the same labor as a repair. We always recommend replacement over rebuild for disposals.
When to call a technician
Tell us the brand, age, and what's failing — we'll give you a straight repair-vs-replace recommendation, often over the phone. We'd rather you trust us next time than pay for a repair that doesn't make sense today.