Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Dallas, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Dallas

Appliance repair men in Dallas charge an average of $24.75 per hour to fix broken household appliances like dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, and refrigerators. In addition to required materials to complete the job, residents of the city pay an average of $207 per such repair. If your appliance has not passed its half-life, a repair by a trained techician is more cost-effective than buying a new appliance or attempting to resolve the problem on your own, which often increase the severity of the problem, resulting in greater repair costs.

However, it is your responsibility as a consumer to ensure that the appliance repair man you intend to hire is skilled and experienced enough to expertly manage your repairs. To ensure that the appliance repair man is a good hire, you should ask the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Dallas?

In Dallas, appliance repair men do not need a locally issued license to provide their services to interested persons. This is regardless of whether the repair will be done in the consumer's residence or at a business location. However, to work on specific home appliances, these specialists may need to obtain the appropriate occupational licenses from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). For example, appliance repair men who wish to engage in refrigerator repair or installation in the city must get a TDLR-issued Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License. Performing a refrigeration-related service in the city without the appropriate license is a criminal offense that attracts a fine of up to $5,000.

To avoid unnecessary fines, appliance repair men that are interested in working on a refrigeration system should obtain the required license by filing out and submitting an application form to the TDLR at:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin TX, 78711-2157

As part of the application procedure, each candidate must submit proof of acceptable educational and work-related experience, pass the appropriate licensing examination, show proof of insurance coverage, and pay all licensing fees.

Likewise, if an appliance repair man in the city wishes to carry out home appliance installation services, they must also obtain a Residential Appliance Installer License from the TDLR. Interested persons can obtain their residential appliance installer license by completing and submitting a printable application form, along with the right application fee to the same TDLR office address listed above. Note each applicant must sit and pass a licensing examination before they will be issued the license.

In addition to a residential appliance installer license, appliance repair men who wish to also operate as full time residential appliance installer in the city must apply for a separate Residential Appliance Installation Contractor License from the TDLR.

Queries concerning the requirements and procedures for obtaining any of the appliance repair and installation related licenses can be directed to the TDLR by calling (800) 803-9202 for calls within Texas and (512) 463-6599 for calls outside the state.

Dallas appliance repair men who are willing to obtain a TDLR license are encouraged to contact the telephone numbers listed above to ensure that they do not make mistakes during their application process Likewise, residents who are intending to hire anyone to conduct home appliance installation service or repair their registration system should endeavor to use the TDLR online License Data Search tool to confirm the license status of the individual they want to hire.

While it is not mandatory to obtain any of the aforementioned licenses to perform basic home appliance repair, residents of the city should not hire just anyone that claims to be an appliance repair man. Homeowners should always go for technicians that have obtained voluntary professional certifications from trade associations before considering a technician that is not licensed or certified. This is because technicians that are certified are usually more informed about the product trends, common repair issues, and techniques required to do satisfactory work. Examples of trade associations that certify home appliance repair men include the United Appliance Servicers Association, the International Society of Electronics Technicians, and the Professional Service Association. Nonetheless, if anyone claims to have obtained a technician certification from a trade association, ask for proof and contact the association to verify their claim.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Dallas?

The cost of hiring an appliance repair man in Dallas is influenced by a variety of factors. These include, the type appliance to be repaired, the extent of the damage, and the amount of labor required to the work. Since there are different factors that can influence the cost of your repair, it is a good idea to seek the opinion of more than one repairman when you are in need of repairs.

You can invite more than one appliance repair man to diagnose your appliance. This will enable you to get and compare multiple estimates from different repairers, which is critical if you want to avoid paying more than what is necessary for the repair.

However, if you suspect that having multiple repairmen diagnosing your appliance may increase the severity of the fault, you can invite only two repairers to check the appliance. Note that some appliance repair men in the city will charge for diagnosing your appliance. As a result, it is always in your best interest to ask your potential repairer if they charge for this service before inviting them. In addition, you should ask whether the diagnostic fee will be included in the total repair price or not.

Appliance repair men in Dallas earn an average annual wage of $51,470. Provided below is a comparison of the hourly average wage for appliance repair men in Dallas with those of these technicians in other areas of Texas and several other locations across the United States:

Dallas Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$24.75
Texas State Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.78
Los Angeles Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.44
Boston Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$25.69
Houston Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.60
Phoenix Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$29.43
Seattle Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.82

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in the City Dallas?

In Dallas, there are two categories of appliance repairers. As a consumer, you have the option of hiring a factory-certified appliance repairer or a regular appliance technician. A factory-certified appliance repairer is anyone that is trained by an appliance manufacturer to understand all the warranty details, as well as provide advanced service on their brand of products. A regular appliance technician, on the other hand, is someone who does appliance repairs on a product without being certified by the product's manufacturer.

When considering hiring an appliance repairer in the city, it is always good to go for factory-certified repairers. These technicians not only have the expertise needed to ensure high quality of service, they can easily access Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs. In addition, these professionals are deemed qualified by the manufacturer after scaling through an extensive process which include:

  • Extensive training
  • Evaluation of scheduled and after hours availability
  • Criminal background checks
  • Standardized service history
  • Confirmation of compliance with federal, state and local business regulations

While it is more beneficial to hire a factory-certified repairer, it is worth noting that a regular appliance technician can still expertly manage your repairs. Most non-factory certified repairers have sufficient training and on-the-job experience to perform repairs. Some non-factory-certified technicians in the city have trade association certifications, indicating that they are experts in the services they provide. Nonetheless, it is always best to hire a non factory-certified repairer only when your warranty expires so as not to breach your appliance warranty terms.

Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?

Most appliance repair jobs require replacement of parts, and it is your responsibility as a consumer to ensure that your appliance repairer purchases not just the needed part, but also a high-quality replacement. Home appliance repairers will typically offer you the option to choose between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and generic parts. OEM parts are those that are specifically produced by the appliance's manufacturer to facilitate repairs of their brand of products. Generic parts, on the other hand, are made by a third-party that may or may not be affiliated with the original appliance manufacturer.

Both OEM and generic parts can be used to fix your faulty appliance. However, consumers are encouraged to always ask their repairers if they will be using OEM parts for the repairs. This is because OEM parts are more durable and of higher quality than generic parts. In addition, these types of parts also come with the manufacturer's warranty and your repairer can easily return them if they are faulty.

Note that purchasing a part that has warranty protects you against potential failure of the part. Nonetheless, it is always in your best interest to read the terms and conditions of your warranty before signing an agreement.

OEM parts can be purchased online, big repair shops, and directly from manufacturers. However, in some cases, an OEM part may be scarce as a result of discontinued production by the manufacturer. In such circumstances, it is wise to ask your repairer to use a generic part for the job.

What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?

Dallas appliance repair men offer repair and installation services on a wide variety of appliances. These include, but are not limited to, washers, dryers, dishwashers, trash compactors, microwave ovens, and air conditioners. However, as a consumer, you must understand that each of these appliances have their unique design, features, and function, and it is not just any technician that can fix a faulty appliance.

Therefore, when considering hiring an appliance repairer in the city, you should always ensure that the technician specializes in repairing and installing the particular brand of appliance that is broken. By hiring a specialist, you will be permitting someone who not only has the necessary training, but is also familiar with the common repair issues that your appliance may have to fix the problem.

Before finalizing any agreement with an appliance technician, consumers should always ask about the appliance technician's years of experience and whether or not they have obtained voluntary certification in the types of repairs they need. In addition, homeowners should also find out how much the repair or installation will cost. Listed below is cost estimates of some commonly requested appliance repair services in Dallas are listed below:

Central vacuum system installation
$1,400 - $2,200 (for existing typical four-bedroom home)
Cost of appliance water line installation
$111 - $170
Dishwasher repair/replacement
$35 - $100
Dishwasher water and drain line installation
$112- $150
Electrical appliance installation
$108 - $150 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Garbage disposal unit installation
$300- $400
Gas appliance installation
$100 - $200
Ice maker water line installation
$100 - $200
Kitchen hood repair/installation
$110 - $130 per hour
Microwave oven installation
$111 - $140 (labor only, for basic microwave installation)
Washing machine water line and drain installation
$120- $200
Stove repair
$100-$200 (labor only)
Refrigerator repair
$120-$200 (labor only)

How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?

Although appliances make life easier, they can fail at any time. This could be as a result of a serious mechanical problem or minor electrical problem. In any case, rather than attempting to resolve the matter on your own, it is preferable to seek expert help. It is important to note that contacting a skilled technician will ensure that your repairs are handled safely and effectively.

However, you must bear in mind that even if you are working with a skilled technician, the outcome of a repair may not be favorable. It is very important to notify the technician if your appliance is worse than it was before the repair or does not work after the repair, or when you are not satisfied with the service.

In such circumstances, most appliance technicians will refer you to a different technician and refund some or all of your money for the work. Similarly, the appliance specialist may choose to fix the device for free a second time. Your technician should be able to address the matter in a manner that is favorable to both parties.

Nonetheless, if the technician deliberately decides not to provide a fair solution to the concerns you raised, you should consider getting help on the issue from reputable third-party organisations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB offers you a more convenient platform to communicate with the technician. The BBB Dallas area office is located at:

1601 Elm Street, Suite 1600,
Dallas, TX 75201-3093

Likewise, if you suspect fraudulent behavior on the part of the technician, you should file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office. Unsatisfactory appliance repairs can be reported to the Texas Attorney General's Office by calling its consumer protection hotline at (800) 621-0508 or by filing a complaint online.

While reporting your technician may lead to fair resolution of the matter, you must also understand that the BBB and the Texas Attorney General's Office can not compel the technician to fully compensate you for your loss. Therefore, if you seek monetary compensation for your loss, you should consider filing a legal action against the professional in a court. Matters involving a total value of $10,000 or less can be filed as small claims before the Small Claims Court. This court is located at:

Justice of Peace Courts
Precinct 1, Place 1
8301 South
Suite 2000
Dallas, TX 75232

However, before deciding on the type of matter to file in court, it is critical to consult with an attorney.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Dallas?

Working as an appliance repair man comes with significant risk. In 2020 alone, home appliance repair men across the United States suffered a total of 1,000 nonfatal occupational injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Appliance repair men could injure their back lifting a heavy appliance, accidentally damage a customer's home, or their employees can sustain other bodily injuries during the work.

In any case, someone has to take the financial responsibility for these events, and if an appliance repair man is not covered by insurance, the homeowner whose appliance was being worked on at the time of the injury or property damage will be exposed to financial liabilities that may result from these events.

Therefore, even if there are no specific insurance requirements for appliance repair men in Dallas, making sure that the appliance repairman that you intend to hire is insured can protect you from financial liabilities that may result from work accidents.

Furthermore, appliance repair men who wish to engage in refrigeration repair and residential appliance installation activities are required to obtain the right insurance policies to be eligible for state-issued licenses. These insurance policies include minimum liability insurance of $300,000 per occurrence or a minimum of $600,000 aggregate for property damage and bodily injury coverage as well as minimum liability insurance of $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operation. For more information concerning the mandatory insurance requirements for appliance repair men that hold state-issued technician license, call the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at (800) 803-9202 and (512) 463-6599 for callers within and outside the State of Texas respectively.

Before you hire an appliance repair man, ask if they carry the right insurance coverage. Consider it a red flag if the appliance repair man does not have any of the aforementioned coverage. If they claim to have the necessary insurance coverage, ask for proof and contact the insurance company that issued the certificate to verify the claim.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in Dallas

While most appliance repair companies and their technicians do a good job, there are a few dishonest individuals who pose as qualified and legitimate appliance technicians in order to steal from Dallas homeowners who need repairs.

Scammers are popular in Dallas and throughout Texas, with the Attorney General's Office estimating that thousands of scam cases are handled each year. A good example of a scam case in Dallas is appliance repair scam, and their perpetrators, like many other home improvement scammers, use a variety of tactics to defraud unsuspecting customers.

As a result, the Texas Attorney General's Office is encouraging residents of Dallas to take their time in evaluating the professional they intend to hire before finalizing any agreement with them. This is particularly important if they want to avoid falling for appliance repair scams.

Listed below are some useful tips to help you avoid appliance repair scams in Dallas:

  • Do not hire door-to-door technicians. If you must, do not sign a contract immediately. Ask about the company and take time researching about them before deciding whether to hire them or not
  • Check Better Business Bureau for reviews and testimonials on the appliance repair man you intend to hire
  • Compare prices from different appliance repair men before choosing one.
  • Confirm that your prefered technician holds a valid state-issued license if the task involves refrigerator repair or appliance installation
  • Make sure that the technician is insured
  • Avoid making upfront payments, unless the repair involves replacement of parts
  • Always inquire if parts need to be replaced, how much they will cost, and whether you can view the damaged parts they wish to replace
  • Insist on warranties for all parts purchased as well as the work performed

Victims of appliance repair scams can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office by calling its consumer protection hotline at (800)621-0508. Victims who do not wish to report the matter via telephone can either complete and submit a consumer complaint form online or by mailing a completed pdf consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548