Appliance Repair Rates: How Much Should You Really Pay?

When your oven stops heating or your dishwasher leaks, the first question isn’t just appliance repair rates—it’s is this even worth fixing? A 10-year-old fridge might cost $200 to repair, but if it’s using twice the electricity of a new model, you’re losing money every month. Appliance repair rates vary wildly depending on the brand, age, and what’s broken. A control board replacement on an oven can run $140 to $500, while a simple thermostat fix might be under $100. The real cost isn’t just the part or the labor—it’s whether you’re throwing good money after bad.

Not all repairs are created equal. A freezer repair, a common household fix when the cooling system fails might cost $150 if it’s just a faulty seal, but $400+ if the compressor is dying. Same goes for dishwasher repair, a frequent issue when drains clog or spray arms fail. You can spend $250 fixing a 5-year-old model—or buy a new one for $400 that saves you $80 a year on water and energy. And don’t assume an electrician can fix your oven. Most oven problems need an appliance repair technician, a specialist trained in the electronics and mechanics of home appliances, not just a wire-puller. Calling the wrong pro wastes time and money.

There’s no single answer to repair rates because it’s not just about the part. It’s about the appliance’s age, how often it’s been maintained, and whether the fix will actually last. A $300 repair on a 12-year-old washer might seem reasonable—until you realize it’s already used up 80% of its lifespan. That’s why most people who fix appliances wisely check the cost-to-replace ratio first. If the repair hits 50% of what a new unit costs, it’s usually time to upgrade. And if your appliance is older than its average lifespan—9 to 12 years for dishwashers, 10 to 15 for extractor fans—it’s not a repair job, it’s a warning sign.

What you’ll find below aren’t just random repair quotes. These are real-world stories from people who’ve been there—how much a control board really costs, why a freezer outage doesn’t mean all your food is ruined, and when an extractor fan is better off replaced than repaired. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the facts that help you decide: fix it, or walk away.