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

Garland is home to skilled appliance technicians who specialize in servicing and repairing various appliances commonly found in residential and commercial buildings. These include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, trash compactors, microwave ovens, dishwashers, stoves, cooktops, and washing machines. While there aren't specific licenses dedicated solely to appliance repair in Garland, local technicians must possess a state-issued license to install appliances in residential buildings – another state-issued license may also be necessary for repairing and servicing heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances.

Many professional Garland appliance technicians often specialize in specific areas of appliance repair, like:

• Product: This area of specialization involves focusing on a particular product or range of products from specific manufacturers like Whirlpool, Samsung, Bosch, LG, Maytag, Jenn-Air, and KitchenAid.
• Appliance: This specialization involves focusing on a specific type of appliance regardless of the manufacturer.
• Energy-Source: This area of specialization revolves around the energy source of the appliance, such as electric, gas, solar, or dual-fuel/hybrid appliances.
• Size: Technicians in this category specialize in appliances used in commercial and industrial facilities.

The average life expectancies (in years) for common appliances are provided below:

• 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

The lifespan and durability of your appliance may vary based on its make, model, and usage.

We recommend contacting a professional Garland appliance technician if you notice the following issues with your appliance:

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

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Garland?

While there is no specific occupational license for appliance repair in Garland, local appliance repair technicians may need state-issued licenses from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to provide certain services. These licenses include:

• An Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License: Appliance technicians must hold this license to perform repair and maintenance work on air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating appliances. Appliance technicians offering these services must obtain Section 608 Certification from an EPA-approved organization, as federal law mandates.
• A Residential Appliance Installer License: Appliance technicians must hold this license to perform any electrical work related to appliance installation on residential properties.

When considering appliance repair technicians to fix air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating appliances or install a new appliance in your home, verifying they hold the appropriate licenses for these services is crucial. You can do this online through the TDLR's License Data Search platform. Also, contact the TDLR at (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599 (for callers outside Texas) and the Garland Building Inspection Department at (972) 205-2300 for more information about the necessary licenses and other regulatory requirements for Garland appliance repair technicians.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Garland?

Garland appliance repair costs typically range between $50 to $800 – local technicians usually charge hourly labor fees of between $50 and $100. However, several factors affect the overall cost of these appliance repairs, like:

• The type, make, and model of the faulty appliance
• The nature of the issue and how quickly it needs to be resolved
• The cost of required replacement components and accessories

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

It is advisable to compare cost estimates from up to three (or more) local appliance repair technicians before settling on one. Doing this helps you spot dishonest technicians and ensures that you pay a reasonable fee for your repairs. Remember you shouldn't base your hiring decision on costs alone. Ensure the technician you choose is experienced, insured, and reliable.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

When interviewing prospective technicians to fix major appliances like refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, and microwave ovens, check for factory certification. This is because appliance manufacturers have endorsed these factory-certified technicians to troubleshoot, service, and repair their products. Although factory-certified technicians' services may cost more than that of their non-factory-certified counterparts, several advantages outweigh this additional expense, like:

• Direct access to manufacturers for assistance and genuine replacement components
• Warranty protection
• Professional service delivery

If you cannot find a factory-certified technician to fix your appliance, you can consider checking for appliance repair technicians who have been certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians or other recognized appliance repair-related organizations like the Professional Service Association and the United Appliance Servicers Association. Remember to request proof of these certifications from the technician.

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

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are components and accessories produced and supplied by your appliance's manufacturer. It's essential to ensure your technician utilizes these parts for your appliance repair, as they offer superior quality, durability, and compatibility than generic parts (sometimes referred to as aftermarket parts), which other companies make. OEM parts also help preserve existing warranties on the appliance – another reason to always opt for them for your repairs.

However, if OEM parts are unavailable for your appliance, your technician may use generic parts for the repair. Professional technicians typically inform you beforehand if this is the case. Notwithstanding this, you should always request a warranty for the appliance repair work, covering both the technician's workmanship and replaced parts; do this regardless of the parts used.

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

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the cost of fixing or replacing home appliances like microwave ovens, washing machines, stoves, and dishwashers when these appliances malfunction or break down due to normal wear and tear. This should not be confused with home insurance, a service contract that covers unexpected damages to your home and personal belongings, unlike home warranties that focus on specified appliances and are generally limited to damages caused by wear and tear.

While standard home warranties are usually valid for a year and can be renewed annually, your home warranty provider will determine the specific terms of your agreement. For example, some providers also include coverage for improper appliance maintenance or repair in their contracts. However, most home warranties will generally not cover damages caused by misuse, pre-existing faults, or incorrect installation. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of any home warranty you intend to purchase before committing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Garland Appliance Technician?

You should always confirm that your prospective Garland appliance technicians have appropriate insurance coverage; failing to do this can result in you being held responsible for any injuries or property damage that may occur during the appliance repair process. You can confirm your technician's insurance coverage by requesting a copy of their certificate and validating it with the appropriate insurance provider.

Note that Garland appliance technicians who intend to obtain a state-issued license for repairing and maintaining heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances or to contract for residential appliance installation services are obligated to meet certain insurance requirements. These requirements generally involve maintaining liability insurance with minimum limits of about $300,000 per occurrence or $600,000 for property damage and bodily injury and $300,000 for products and completed operations (actual minimum limits may vary depending on the technician's license classification).

Questions concerning the insurance requirements for Garland appliance technicians providing residential appliance installation or heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliance repair services can be directed to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at (800) 803-9202.