Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Winston Salem, NC

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Appliance Technician in Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem appliance technicians are experts in troubleshooting and repairing several types of home appliances, like ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, AC units, refrigerators, and trash compactors. Many of these technicians specialize in specific appliance repair niches and hone their skills in these areas. Typical appliance repair specialties include the following:

• Product/Brand-based Repairs: technicians with this specialty focus on troubleshooting and repairing appliance brands like Maytag, Bosch, LG, Frigidaire, Samsung, and KitchenAid.
• Appliance-based Repairs: technicians with this specialty focus on troubleshooting and repairing specific kinds of appliances, irrespective of the appliance brand.
• Energy Source-based Repairs: technicians with this specialty focus on troubleshooting and repairing appliances that use a specific energy source (typically gas, electric, solar, or dual-fuel/hybrid).
• Commercial Appliance Repairs: these technicians focus on troubleshooting and repairing appliances used in commercial and industrial facilities.

Notice that Winston-Salem does not have any local licensing requirements specifically for appliance repairs; however, appliance technicians who wish to fix AC units and commercial refrigeration appliances may require state-issued licenses.

Average life expectancies for commonly used home appliances in Winston-Salem are provided below (in years):

• Refrigerators: 10 – 13
• Freezers: 10 -15
• Washing Machines: 9 - 10
• Dryers: 10 – 13
• Dishwashers: 8 – 10
• Microwave Ovens: 8 – 10
• Ranges/Oven Hoods: 10 – 16
• Garbage Disposers: 10 – 12
• Compactors: 6 – 7

Bear in mind that the appliance's make, model, and use will affect its actual life span. Nonetheless, you should always contact a professional appliance technician if you notice the following issues with your home appliance, regardless of how new it is:

• Burning smells
• Electric sparks and shocks
• Unexplainable moisture in or around the appliance
• Unusual sounds
• Significant energy consumption when using the appliance
• General malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Winston-Salem?

There are no local licenses specifically for general appliance repairs in Winston-Salem. However, technicians who wish to repair cooling and heating appliances, like AC units and heat pumps, require a state-level license issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. A similar state-level license issued by the North Carolina State Board of Refrigeration Contractors is also required to repair commercial, transportation, and industrial refrigeration appliances and equipment.

The requirements for being licensed by either of these boards generally include the following:

• Providing proof of acceptable work experience
• Obtaining CFC certification from an EPA-approved organization (this is a federal requirement for technicians who wish to repair, service, or maintain refrigerant-containing appliances and equipment)
• Passing a licensing examination

You can check whether your prospective technician has a valid state-issued license by using the Search Licensee Database and the Verify License Search platform provided by the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors and State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, respectively. Always do this before hiring for cooling, heating, and refrigeration appliance repairs. You can also contact the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina's Small Business Advisors at (800) 228-8443 for additional information on the licensing requirements for repairing these types of appliances in Winston-Salem.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Winston-Salem?

Costs for appliance repairs in Winston-Salem typically range from $50 - $650 or even more. These prices usually include the cost of required replacement components and accessories and the technician's labor fees (these alone normally range from $50 - $120 per hour). Other factors that influence the overall cost of appliance repairs in the city include the following:

• The nature of the problem
• The type, make, and model of the appliance
• The urgency of the repair
• Accessibility to the appliance

Cost estimates for repairing common appliances in Winston-Salem are listed below:

Comparing quotes for your required repair services from several local technicians is an effective strategy for determining current market rates and ensuring you don't get scammed by a dishonest technician. Nonetheless, always do your due diligence on your preferred technician; never base your selection solely on low prices.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification (or authorization) is vital when selecting appliance repair technicians in Winston-Salem. This credential signifies that appliance manufacturers have evaluated and approved the technician to troubleshoot, repair, and service their respective appliance brands. The benefits of hiring factory-certified technicians include the following:

• They have direct access to technical and administrative support from appliance manufacturers, which can be invaluable when dealing with complex appliance faults.
• They use genuine and high-quality components and accessories for repairs.
• Hiring them guarantees that existing warranties on your appliance aren't void.

Note that the make and model of your appliance will affect the availability of factory-certified technicians for the job. If you cannot find a factory-certified technician, you should check for other qualifications, like training and certification obtained from reputable trade schools and renowned appliance repairs-related organizations like the following:

• The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET)
• The Professional Service Association
• The United Appliance Servicers Association

Always verify any credentials your prospective technician claims to hold.

Do You Replace Parts with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts?

Always confirm that Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts will be used for your appliance repairs before finalizing agreements with appliance technicians in Winston-Salem. OEM parts are made and supplied by an appliance's original manufacturer. While these parts are usually more expensive than generic ones (parts produced and supplied by third parties), they offer superior quality, durability, and appliance compatibility, making them the better choice for replacing damaged components and accessories. Additionally, using OEM parts protects existing warranties on the appliance.

Be aware that you may have to use generic parts if OEM ones are not available. This usually happens when the production of the appliance in question has been officially discontinued, and the necessary OEM parts are no longer available via retail supply stores and online marketplaces. In these situations, a professional appliance technician will usually inform you before using generic parts for the repair. Whatever the case, confirm that you will receive a warranty covering the technician's workmanship and the replaced parts (even if OEM parts are used).

Will My Home Warranty Cover the Cost of Repairing the Appliance?

Home warranties are contracts that pay for the repair or replacement of major home appliances like microwave ovens, trash compactors, stoves, dishwashers, and washing machines when they malfunction or break down from regular wear and tear. These contracts differ from home insurance in that they typically limit their coverage to home appliances and systems, while home insurance covers your entire home and personal property.

Standard home warranties are typically valid for one year, can be renewed annually, and generally cover only regular wear and tear damages. However, some contracts may also provide coverage options for damages caused by inadequate repairs and maintenance. Notice that damages caused by pre-existing faults, improper installation, and appliance misuse are usually not covered. Therefore, carefully review any home warranty you intend to purchase to ensure you get a clear picture of its specific coverage scope and conditions.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Winston-Salem Appliance Technician?

Even though general liability coverage is not mandatory for Winston-Salem appliance technicians, selecting a fully insured technician is essential, so verify this before committing. Failing to confirm that your technician is fully insured before hiring opens you up to liability for any accidents or property damage that may happen during or as a direct result of your appliance repair.

To this end, request a copy of your prospective technician's insurance certificate and validate this document with their insurance provider. It is also a good idea to confirm that the technician's coverage limits will be adequate for the scope of the job. In addition, be aware that appliance technicians with three or more employees are statutorily required to carry workers' compensation insurance.