Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Lubbock, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Lubbock

Lubbock has a semi-arid climate with mild winters and an average summer temperature of 86°F. The summers in Lubbock can be sweltering, and residents will have to rely on appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and ACs to deal with the harsh weather. All home appliances break down at some point, and it is best to engage a professional for repair. Attempting a DIY repair may worsen the problem, void your warranty, or result in an electrical accident. Thankfully, you will find several experienced appliance repairers in the city to help fix any kind of fault.

However, to ensure you pick the best hand for the job, ask the following questions when hiring an appliance repair service in Lubbock:

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

Lubbock appliance technicians are skilled professionals who specialize in installing and repairing household and commercial appliances. These appliances include stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, room air conditions, garbage disposals, ovens, trash compactors, and hot water dispensers. Professional technicians do not need to meet any occupation-specific license requirements to operate locally. However, they may be required to obtain the appropriate state-issued licenses before providing certain services, such as installing or replacing appliances like refrigerators. Some common areas of specialization for appliance technicians include:

  • Product: These technicians specialize in certain products from a specific manufacturer.
  • Appliance: These technicians are experts in repairing and maintaining a specific category of appliance, regardless of the brand or manufacturer.
  • Energy source: Appliance technicians who specialize in this area repair electric and gas-fueled appliances, including hybrid or dual-fuel appliances.
  • Size: many technicians focus more on household appliances, and others on larger-size appliances used for commercial purposes. These appliances may be found in commercial kitchens, restaurants, and other commercial settings.

Listed below is the average life expectancy of most major household appliances (in years):

  • Refrigerators: 9 – 10
  • Freezers: 10 - 15
  • Dishwashers: 8 - 10
  • Microwave/ovens: 8 - 10
  • Ranges/oven hoods: 10 - 16
  • Garbage dispensers: 10 - 12
  • Compactors: 6 - 7

You should understand the lifespan and durability of your appliances can be affected by many factors, such as make, model, maintenance, and usage. We advise that you consider consulting an experienced appliance technician If you notice any of the following:

  • Burning smell
  • You noticed a significant rise in your energy cost
  • You noticed unusual or abnormal sounds coming from the appliance.
  • You noticed moisture in or around the appliance.
  • You observed general malfunctions that are not easily explained.

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Lubbock?

Lubbock appliance repair technicians do not need any occupation-specific license to operate locally. However, these specialists may need appropriate occupational licenses or certifications from state and federal agencies to work on specific home appliances. These licenses and certifications include the following:

City residents should not hire anyone who claims to be an appliance technician without verifying their license status. Homeowners should go for technicians who have obtained the proper appliance repair license for the service they wish to provide.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Lubbock?

Although appliance repair technicians in Lubbock charge between $19 and $80 per hour, these rates vary by appliance, expertise, and other factors like:

  • The type of problem
  • The cost of necessary replacement parts
  • The appliance's energy source
  • The urgency of the repair
  • Accessibility to the appliance

Listed below are estimates for repairing some common household appliances in Lubbock:

Refrigerators:
$45 - $300
Freezers:
$83 - $400
Washers:
$52 - $400
Dryers:
$70 - $400
Room AC Units:
$80 - $700
Stoves/Ovens:
$70 - $300
Cooktops:
$70 - $340
Microwaves:
$60 - $350
Dishwashers:
$100 - $300
Garbage Disposals:
$50 - $200
Trash Compactors:
$50 - $210
Water Dispensers:
$55 - $350
Ice Makers:
$125 - $200

Before choosing the appliance repair technician to work with, we recommend comparing estimates from multipleappliance repair technicians in the city to determine the average cost of your service.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

When hiring an appliance repair technician in Lubbock, go for technicians who are factory-certified. Factory certification is issued by an appliance manufacturer stating that a particular technician is more informed about the product trends, common repair issues, and techniques required to do satisfactory work on their brand of appliance. Ensure your preferred appliance repair technicians are beneficial in various ways, such as:

  • Access to better maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and customer relations.
  • Warranty protection
  • Access to authentic replacement parts and direct technical support from your appliance's manufacturer

Lubbock's professional appliance repair technicians can opt for voluntary certifications from local and national trade associations like the United Appliance Servicers Association, the International Society of Electronics Technicians, and the Professional Service Association. Nonetheless, if a technician claims to have a certification from a trade association, ask for proof and contact the association to verify their claim.

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

Generally, appliance repair technicians in Lubbock offer Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and generic parts for repairs. OEM parts are produced by an appliance manufacturer to facilitate the repair of the particular make and model of the appliance. Since these parts fit a particular make and model of the manufacturer's appliance, their use protects existing warranties on your appliance. In contrast, generic parts are made by a third party that may or may not be affiliated with the original appliance manufacturer, and their use may void the existing warranties on your appliance.

While we recommend OEM parts for repairs, they may not be available because of discontinued production by the manufacturer. In such a situation, your appliance technicians can use generic parts as a substitute.

Whether your technician uses OEM or generic parts, we recommend asking for a warranty covering their repair work and all replacement parts. This will guarantee you receive quality service from the technician.

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

When you purchase a new home, there is a high chance you will be offered a home warranty covering expensive and unforeseen repairs. Home warranties cover repairing and replacing household appliances such as washers, dryers, and kitchen appliances that experience normal wear and tear. However, a home warranty may not cover issues resulting from the following:

  • Pre-existing faults
  • Damages caused by appliance misuse
  • Damages caused by improper appliance installation

Reading the home warranty contract before finalizing any agreement is advisable. This will help you find out the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Lubbock Appliance Technician?

There are no specific insurance requirements for appliance repair technicians in Lubbock. However, those who provide services that require a state-issued contractor license must carry insurance policies. These insurance plans include minimum liability insurance of $300,000 per occurrence or a minimum of $600,000 for property damage and bodily injury coverage, as well as minimum liability insurance of $300,000 for products and completed operations. We recommend asking your preferred appliance repair technician if they are insured before reaching any agreement. If they claim the necessary insurance coverage, ask for proof and contact the insurance company that issued the certificate to verify the claim.

For more information concerning the mandatory insurance requirements for appliance repairmen who hold state-issued technician licenses, 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.

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Appliance Repair Services in Lubbock?

You can resolve issues with your appliance repair services in Lubbock by contacting the Texas Attorney General's Office at (800)621-0508. However, suppose you do not wish to report the matter via telephone. In that case, you may consider completing and submitting a consumer complaint form online or mailing a completed consumer complaint form to:

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