Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Richmond, VA

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Appliance Technician in Richmond?

Richmond appliance technicians specialize in maintaining and fixing a wide variety of appliances commonly used in residential and commercial buildings, such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, stoves, dishwashers, and trash compactors. These types of technicians do not need a locally-issued occupational license to ply their trade in the city; however, they must get a state-issued trade license if they intend to work on heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances.

Furthermore, even though professional Richmond appliance technicians have the know-how to perform several kinds of repairs, they often choose to focus on specific areas like those listed below:

• Brand/Product-based Repairs: technicians with this specialization focus on particular brands or products from specific manufacturers, like Samsung, Jenn-Air, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, and Maytag.
• Appliance-based Repairs: technicians with this specialization focus on specific kinds of appliances, irrespective of the brand or product manufacturer.
• Energy Source-based Repairs: the appliance's energy source (usually electric, gas, solar, or hybrid) is the focus of this area of specialization.
• Commercial Repairs: these technicians focus on appliances used for commercial and industrial purposes.

Average life expectancies (in years) for common appliances are provided below (note that factors like the appliance's make and maintenance will affect its durability).

• 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

Contact a professional Richmond appliance technician if you notice any of the following issues with your home appliance:

• Sparks, shocks, or burning smells
• Unusual noises
• Unexplained moisture in or around the appliance
• Significant increase in energy consumption when the appliance is used
• General malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Richmond?

Individuals who wish to conduct business within Richmond must annually obtain a business license from the Richmond Department of Finance; appliance repair technicians are no exception to this. Appliance repairers in the city may also have to comply with additional requirements depending on their intended services. These requirements include the following:

• Obtaining a state-issued trade license from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), is required for fixing AC units, refrigerators, freezers, heat pumps, and similar heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances.
• Obtaining Section 608 certification from an EPA-approved organization is required by federal law for all technicians who wish to repair, service, and maintain refrigerant-containing appliances.

Queries concerning locally-issued business licenses and state-issued trade licenses can be directed to the Richmond Department of Finance at (804) 646-5700 and the DPOR at (804) 367-8511, respectively. The DPOR also offers a license lookup tool that you can use to check if your technician holds a valid state-issued trade license (always check this before hiring for heating, cooling, or refrigeration appliance repairs).

Lastly, you can reach out to the Richmond Department of Economic Development at (804) 646-3792 for additional information on the necessary regulatory requirements for appliance repairers in the city.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Richmond?

Appliance repair technicians in Richmond typically charge a $50 - $120 hourly fee for their services, with the overall cost of appliance repairs in the city ranging from $50 - $800. This overall cost is generally determined by factors like the following:

• The type, make, and model of the faulty appliance
• The nature of the problem
• The urgency of the repair
• The cost of necessary replacement components and accessories

Price ranges for repairing common appliances in Richmond are provided below:

We recommend comparing quotes for your needed repairs from several technicians (at least two or three) before hiring. By doing this, you can identify dishonest technicians by ensuring that the rates you are charged are reasonable and in line with current market prices. Be aware that some unscrupulous technicians deliberately offer low rates to entice unsuspecting consumers. As such, never base your hiring decision solely on a technician's quote; always do your due diligence on any prospective technician to ensure they are qualified to fulfill your repair satisfactorily.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

You should check for factory certification when negotiating appliance repair services in Richmond. This credential indicates that an appliance manufacturer has endorsed the technician to offer diagnostic, repair, and maintenance services on their products. Hiring a factory-certified technician for your repairs affords you several benefits, like the following:

• Access to genuine parts and technical support from the appliance manufacturer
• Warranty protection
• Efficient and professional service delivery

The requirements for factory certification vary by appliance manufacturer; this impacts the availability of these technicians concerning your specific appliance. If you cannot find a factory-certified technician for your repair, you can check for certifications from reputable appliance repair-related organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians, the Professional Service Association, and the United Appliance Servicers Association. Remember to ask the technician for proof of these certifications and verify it.

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

Always confirm that your appliance technician uses Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs when negotiating with them. OEM parts are provided by the appliance's original manufacturer, and they typically provide better quality, durability, and compatibility than generic parts, which are made and produced by other companies. Another benefit of using OEM parts for repairs is that they ensure the appliance warranties aren't voided.

Notice that your technician may have to use generic parts when fixing your appliance if OEM parts are unavailable. If this is the case, you can expect a professional technician to let you know before making the repairs. Regardless of the type of parts used, always confirm that you will be given a warranty covering both the technician's workmanship and the replaced parts.

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

A home warranty is a service agreement that covers the repair or replacement of appliances like microwaves, washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, and others, if they break down from normal wear and tear. It should not be confused with home insurance, which is a service agreement that covers damages to your home and personal property from unexpected events like fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Standard home warranties typically offer coverage for one year and can be renewed annually; the specifics of this coverage are determined by each warranty service provider. For instance, some providers also cover appliance damages caused by improper repairs or maintenance (for an additional fee). Consider that, in general, home warranties don't cover damages caused by the following reasons:

• Improper use
• Incorrect installation
• Preexisting faults

Thus, carefully read the terms and conditions of any home warranty you intend to buy before making a decision.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Richmond Appliance Technician?

Even though there are no mandatory liability insurance requirements for Richmond appliance technicians, it is always best to confirm that your prospective technician is adequately insured. Doing this protects you financially and legally if unforeseen events like property damage or bodily injuries happen during or as a direct result of your appliance repair.

Be aware that Richmond appliance technicians with employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. Likewise, technicians with state-issued trade licenses authorizing work on heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances must comply with certain financial obligations, including maintaining a $50,000 surety bond or providing an acceptable financial statement.

You can check your technician's insurance status by requesting a copy of their certificate and validating it with the appropriate issuer. Queries concerning state-mandated workers' compensation insurance can be directed to the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission at 1-877-664-2566. You can also direct questions concerning the mandatory financial obligations for Richmond appliance technicians with state-issued trade licenses to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations at (804) 367-2785.