How much should I charge for appliance repair?

Most appliance repairs total $100 to $350 including parts and labor, with a diagnostic or trip fee of $70 to $130 that is often credited toward the repair if the customer goes ahead. Flat-rate pricing by repair type is more common than hourly, because customers want a number before you start.

Flat-rate or hourly for appliance repair?

Flat-rate by repair type is usually better for both sides. The customer gets a firm price upfront, and you get rewarded for being fast and skilled instead of penalized for it. Hourly punishes efficiency and invites disputes about how long a job 'should' take.

When should I tell a customer not to repair?

A common rule is the 50% rule: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance and the unit is past about half its expected lifespan, replacement usually makes more sense. Telling the customer that honestly earns trust and repeat business, even on the call you don't bill.

Appliance repair pricing guide

Q: Should I charge a diagnostic fee?

Yes. A diagnostic or trip fee covers your drive, time, and expertise even when the customer declines the repair. Most shops charge $70 to $130 and credit it toward the job if the customer approves it. Working for free on diagnosis is how appliance techs go broke.

Most appliance repairs total $100 to $350 including parts and labor, with a $70 to $130 diagnostic fee that is usually credited toward the repair if the customer goes ahead. Flat-rate pricing by repair type beats hourly for both sides — the customer gets a number before you open the panel, and you get paid for skill, not slowness.

The two things that decide whether an appliance shop makes money are charging for diagnosis and pricing by the job, not the clock. Here is how to set your service-call fee, mark up parts fairly, and handle the repair-versus-replace conversation that builds the trust your business runs on.

The three pieces of an appliance repair price

Diagnostic / trip fee

$70–$130

This covers your drive, time, and the expertise to find the fault. Charge it even when the customer declines the repair, and credit it toward the job if they approve. It protects you from giving away free diagnosis, which is most of the value you bring.

Labor (flat-rate)

By repair type

Build a price book by repair — a dryer heating element, a washer drain pump, a dishwasher control board. Flat-rate gives the customer certainty and rewards your speed. The faster and more skilled you are, the more you earn per hour without the hourly-billing arguments.

Parts (with markup)

Your cost + margin

Mark up parts to cover sourcing, returns, warranty handling, and the risk of carrying inventory. A fair markup is normal and expected — you are guaranteeing the part and the install. Pricing parts at cost just to win a job means you lose money the moment a part fails under warranty.

Where appliance techs lose money

→ Free diagnosis — driving out, finding the fault, and waiving the fee to win the job trains customers to shop you for free.
→ Hourly billing — it punishes the skilled tech who fixes a board in 20 minutes and rewards the slow one. Flat-rate fixes this.
→ No-show and reschedule waste — unconfirmed appointments burn your day. Confirm the window and the address before you drive.
→ Parts at cost — no margin means a single warranty return wipes out the profit on three jobs.

When you should tell them not to repair

The honest call earns more long-term business than the billed one. Tell the customer to replace, not repair, when:

• The repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is past about half its lifespan — the 50% rule.
• A cheap, out-of-warranty unit needs a major component like a compressor or sealed system. The labor often isn't worth it.
• The model has a known chronic failure that will recur. Saying so honestly is why they call you next time, and refer you.

You still earned the diagnostic fee, and you earned the customer. Honest repair-versus-replace advice is the cheapest marketing an appliance shop has.

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Common questions

How much should I charge?

Most repairs total $100 to $350 including parts and labor, with a $70 to $130 diagnostic fee often credited toward the repair. Flat-rate by repair type beats hourly because customers want a firm number first.

Should I charge a diagnostic fee?

Yes. It covers your drive, time, and expertise even when the customer declines. Charge $70 to $130 and credit it toward the repair if they approve. Free diagnosis is how appliance techs go broke.

When should I say replace, not repair?

The 50% rule: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is past about half its lifespan, replacement usually wins. Saying so honestly earns repeat business.

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