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Should You Repair or Replace an Appliance?

by the Berry team · Updated

A common rule of thumb is to replace an appliance when the repair would cost more than about half the price of a new one and the appliance is past the middle of its typical lifespan. Cheap fixes like belts, fuses, filters, and gaskets are almost always worth doing, while major repairs like a refrigerator compressor or washer transmission on an older appliance usually are not.

Repairs usually worth it, and repairs usually not

Ranges are typical US prices with a technician. Typical lifespans are in how long appliances last.

Dryer thermal fuse, element, belt, or igniterYes, at almost any age. Dryers are simple machines.DIY$10-$100Pro$120-$350
Washer lid switch, belt, or drain pumpYes, unless the washer has other major problems.DIY$15-$120Pro$150-$350
Fridge fan, defrost part, or gasketUsually yes, even on an older fridge.DIY$20-$100Pro$150-$450
Dishwasher drain pumpYes on a younger dishwasher. Maybe not on one with rusted racks or a worn tub.DIY$30-$100Pro$150-$350
Range bake element or igniterYes. Ranges often last a long time, and these parts are cheap.DIY$20-$80Pro$150-$350
Control boards on any applianceDepends on age. Boards are expensive and can be discontinued on older models.DIYNot recommendedPro$200-$600
Fridge compressor or sealed systemUsually not on a fridge over about 10 years old.DIYNot a DIY jobPro$500-$1,500+
Washer transmission or drum bearingsUsually not on a washer past the middle of its life.DIYNot recommendedPro$400-$800+

Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.

The questions that decide it

  • How old is it?. Find the manufacture date from the serial number. An appliance in the first half of its typical range is usually worth fixing. One near the end usually is not, unless the fix is cheap.

  • What does the repair cost compared to new?. Compare the full repair quote, including the service call, to the price of a comparable new model installed. Past about half, replacement starts to win.

  • Is this the first repair or the third?. One repair on a solid appliance is normal. Repeated repairs in a short time often mean more are coming.

  • Are parts available?. Discontinued parts or long back orders can tip an older appliance toward replacement.

  • Is it covered?. Check the manufacturer warranty, any extended warranty, a home warranty, and whether the credit card you bought it with extends warranties.

  • Is it safe?. Burning smells, scorching, sparking, gas smells, or a cracked fridge or range body move it straight to repair by a pro or replacement.

The 50 percent rule, worked through

Say your 11-year-old refrigerator needs a $900 sealed system repair, and a comparable new fridge costs $1,500 installed. The repair is 60 percent of a new one, and the fridge is near the end of a typical 10 to 15 year range, with other parts aging too. Replacement is usually the better value.

Now say your 6-year-old dryer needs a $200 heating element repair, and a new dryer costs $900. The repair is about 22 percent, and the dryer has years left. Repair it.

Before paying for a diagnosis

Many repair companies charge a diagnostic or trip fee, commonly around $75-$200, which is sometimes applied to the repair if you go ahead. Before you call, do the free checks for your problem. They fix a surprising number of service calls:

Energy use

Newer refrigerators and washers often use noticeably less energy and water than models from 15 or more years ago. That alone rarely justifies replacing a working appliance, but it can tip the decision when an older one needs a significant repair. If you are replacing, check for utility rebates, and look at the yellow EnergyGuide label for an estimated yearly operating cost.

When to call a pro

  • You need a diagnosis to compare a repair quote with the price of a new appliance.
  • The appliance has any burning smell, sparking, or scorching, or a gas appliance smells like gas.
  • The repair involves refrigerant, gas lines, or control boards.
  • You are not sure whether a repair is covered by a warranty and want a documented diagnosis.

What makes it worse if you wait

  • An appliance that limps along with a known problem often fails at the worst time, like a fridge before a holiday meal.
  • Small problems like a failing gasket or clogged vent make the rest of the appliance work harder and fail sooner.
  • Replacing in an emergency means less time to compare prices, models, and sales.

Common questions

When should I replace an appliance instead of repairing it?

A common rule of thumb is to replace it when the repair costs more than about half the price of a new one and the appliance is past the middle of its typical lifespan. Repeated repairs, discontinued parts, and safety concerns also point toward replacement.

Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old refrigerator?

For fans, defrost parts, gaskets, and relays, usually yes. For a compressor or sealed system repair, usually not, since the cost is often a large share of a new fridge and other parts are aging too.

How much does an appliance repair visit cost?

Many technicians charge a diagnostic or trip fee, commonly around $75-$200, sometimes credited toward the repair. Common repairs on major appliances often total about $150-$400.

Are extended appliance warranties worth it?

Often not, since many major appliances do not need costly repairs during the warranty period, but it depends on the price, what is covered, and your tolerance for surprise repair bills. Check whether your credit card already extends manufacturer warranties.

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