Customers ask us this every week, and our answer is always honest — even when it means we don't get a repair. Here's how we think about it.
The 50% rule
A common rule of thumb: if the appliance is past about half of its expected life and the repair would cost more than about half the price of a comparable new one, replacing usually makes more sense. If it's younger, or the repair is small, fix it.
Typical lifespans (rough guide)
- Refrigerator: about 10–15 years
- Washer: about 10–13 years
- Dryer: about 10–13 years
- Dishwasher: about 9–12 years
- Gas or electric range: about 13–15 years
- Microwave: about 9–10 years
Real life varies a lot with brand, use and maintenance. A well-kept washer can go much longer; a fridge in a hot garage may not.
Usually worth repairing
- Fans, belts, pumps, igniters, switches, valves and door seals
- Built-in and high-end appliances, which cost a lot to replace
- Appliances that fit a custom space
Often time to replace
- Rusted-through tubs or cabinets
- Major sealed-system work on an old, low-cost fridge
- Repeated breakdowns on an appliance near the end of its life
- Small countertop microwaves
What we do on a visit
For a flat $55 service call we find the problem and give you the price. If repairing doesn't make sense, we'll say so and you can walk away with just the $55 — and a clear answer. If you go ahead, the $55 is applied to the repair, and our work carries a 60-day warranty.
One of our customers put it this way: “The tech showed up on time and gave me an honest opinion: buy a new washer instead of fixing the old one. No pushy sales tactics.”
Common questions
Will you tell me if it's not worth fixing?
Yes. We'd rather earn your trust than sell a repair that doesn't make sense.
Do I pay the $55 if I decide not to repair?
Yes, the $55 covers the visit and diagnosis. If you go ahead with the repair, it's applied to the total.
Written by The PFC Team — PFC Appliance Repair, Antelope, CA. CA BHGS #A50656.