It’s the question behind almost every service call: is this thing worth fixing? As a repair company, you might expect us to always say yes. We don’t — because recommending a $450 repair on a dying 14-year-old washer is how you lose a customer for life. Here’s the framework we actually use.
The 50% Rule
If a repair costs more than 50% of the price of a comparable new appliance, replacement usually wins. A $250 repair on a $1,200 refrigerator? Fix it. A $600 repair on a $900 dishwasher? Replace it.
Then Apply the Age Test
- First third of its lifespan (e.g., a 3-year-old fridge): repair, almost always. Something failed early — the rest of the machine has years left.
- Middle third (a 7-year-old washer): repair if the fix is routine (pump, belt, valve); think harder if it’s structural (bearings, drum, compressor).
- Final third (a 12-year-old dryer): only cheap repairs make sense. Put the big money toward the replacement.
Not sure about lifespans? See our appliance lifespan chart.
Questions That Tip the Scale
- Is this the first repair or the third? Repeat failures are the machine telling you something.
- Is the part still made? When parts go scarce, both this repair and the next one get expensive.
- How much better is the new model? A 15-year-old fridge can cost $15–$20/month more in electricity than a new one. For AC systems the gap is dramatic — modern high-SEER units can cut summer cooling bills by a third.
- Does it still fit your life? If you already hate the capacity or layout, don’t sink money into it.
Special Case: Your AC in Arizona
- A capacitor, contactor, or fan motor failure on a 8-year-old system? Repair. These are normal wear items here.
- A compressor failure on a 13-year-old system? That’s usually replacement territory — the repair can run into the thousands on a unit near end-of-life.
- An R-22 system (pre-2010)? Any refrigerant repair is expensive now. Start planning the replacement, and use financing to spread the cost.
Get a Straight Answer
We give you the repair price upfront — and if replacement is the smarter money, we’ll say so and show you the math. Get a rough number now with the instant price estimator or call 480-406-7487.