Repair or Replace?
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Often, when appliances stop working, we wonder, "should I repair my appliance or buy a new one?" Once we have considered the difficulty of finding, waiting for, and paying a repairman we can trust, we answer this question by buying a new appliance. Although this does fix the problem, it is often not the best answer. The good news is that there is a repairperson you can trust, one who can solve a lot of your repair problems, and one who will save you a lot of money. This repairperson is you! That's right, you can fix a wide variety of appliance problems, saving you hundreds of dollars and hours of hassle. If you are leery of hiring a repairman, or you simply want to save money by repairing your appliance yourself, here are a few questions to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your appliance.
- Could I make the repair myself?
- A substantial number of appliance problems can be fixed by individuals with very little appliance repair experience. Check out other resources in the appliance repair section for more help.
- Approximately 75% of repair costs involve labor related charges. Hence, making the repair yourself provides tremendous savings.
- Is the appliance under warranty?
- Some purchases come with a warranty. Do not spend your money on a repair that is covered by a warranty.
- Is this problem the fault of a defective part that has been recalled?
- Please check the appliance recall information we have provided for you. Manufacturers may provide you with free replacement parts.
- How old is the appliance?
- Most appliances should last between 12 and 14 years, but many will last substantially longer.
- The older an appliance is, the more difficult it is to find appliance parts, repair manuals, and repair help.
- What would a new appliance cost?
- To get the best price, take the time to shop around.
- In general, if fixing your appliance will cost more than half the cost of a new appliance, and the appliance is more than six or seven years old, consider purchasing a new appliance.
- Have I been looking to purchase a new appliance anyway?
- Could I get some money for my broken appliance?
- Some people are willing to purchase broken appliances for heavily discounted prices. If you could get some money for your broken appliance, this may make purchasing a new appliance more affordable.
- Have I considered that there may be removal, installation, or disposal charges associated with replacing my appliance? In addition, have you calculated the cost of tax?
- How difficult is it to replace the appliance? Is it a built into a difficult spot in the wall?
- What energy savings will I get with the new appliance?
- What additional features will I get with the new appliance?
- Do I want to have to learn how to use a new appliance?
- Could the damage to this appliance be covered under insurance?
- Is the damage a result of a floor, fire, or vandalism?