Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Plano, TX

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

Appliance technicians in Plano are specialists in servicing, maintaining, and repairing appliances like stoves, washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Although Plano does not require local licensing for appliance repair, technicians in the city must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before providing specific tasks like fixing and installing heating, refrigeration, and cooling appliances.

Plano appliance technicians generally have the necessary skill and experience to work on a variety of household appliances; however, many of these technicians often choose to specialize in the following areas:

• Product Specialization: these technicians specialize in the repair and maintenance of products from particular brands like Electrolux, General Electric (GE), Kenmore, LG, and Frigidaire.
• Appliance Specialization: these technicians specialize in repairing and maintaining a particular kind of appliance, regardless of the manufacturer or brand.
• Energy-source Specialization: these technicians often work on either gas or electric appliances; however, some technicians in this category also specialize in maintaining and repairing solar-powered and hybrid appliances.
• Size-based Specialization: technicians in this category are experts in maintaining and repairing larger-sized appliances commonly found in commercial and industrial settings.

Below is a list of the average lifespan of common household appliances:

• Refrigerator: 10-15
• Washing machine: 8-13
• Microwave: 5-10
• Dishwasher: 7-12
• Dryer: 10-15
• Oven: 9-14
• Stove/range: 10-14

It is important to remember that your appliance's lifespan and durability largely depend on factors like its model, make, use, and maintenance. You should contact a professional Plano appliance technician if you notice any of the following issues with your device (even if it's still relatively new):

• You detect smoke or burning smells coming from the appliance
• You notice abnormal moisture in or around the device (that can cause mold growth)
• The appliance presents general malfunctions
• The device makes strange noises
• There is a significant increase in your energy costs when you use the appliance.

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Plano?

Although appliance technicians do not need local licensing in Plano, technicians who intend to install and repair appliances must have a Residential Appliance Installer License obtained from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Likewise, technicians who intend to work on heating, cooling, and refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators and air-conditioners need a separate Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License (also issued by the TDLR). In addition, per federal requirements, these last technicians must have Section 608 Technician Certification from an EPA-approved agency before working on refrigerant-containing appliances.

To ensure that you receive satisfactory services, always confirm that your prospective technician has been properly licensed (and certified where necessary) for your required appliance repairs.. You can do this by using the TDLR's License Search tool.

For questions concerning Plano's appliance repair technician licensing requirements, contact the Plano Building Inspections Department (PBID) at (972) 941-7140.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Plano?

While appliance repair technicians in Plano typically charge average labor rates between $40 - $120 per hour, the overall cost of appliance repairs in the city is usually influenced by factors like the following:

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

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

Notice that pricing usually varies between different repair technicians. As such, it is advisable to obtain and compare quotes for your appliance repair from at least three technicians before making the hire; this helps you get an idea of the average cost for your required services and protects you from being scammed by dishonest technicians.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

You should always prioritize factory-certified technicians when searching for appliance repair services in Plano. The term "factory certification" refers to a manufacturer's endorsement given to appliance repair technicians to indicate that these technicians have been trained and authorized to perform specific services for their products. Be aware that factory-certified appliance technicians often have higher rates than their non-factory-certified counterparts; however, these higher costs are outweighed by benefits like the following:

• Warranty protection
• Access to authentic replacement parts and direct technical support from the manufacturer of your appliance
• Assurance that experienced professionals will handle your repair.

When considering prospective appliance repair technicians in Plano, in addition to factory certification from product manufacturers, you can check for certification obtained from internationally renowned organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) and the United Servicers Association as a good criterion to identify qualified professionals.

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

It is crucial to ask your appliance repair technician whether Original Equipment Manufacturer parts or generic parts will be used to fix your appliance. OEM parts are appliance components and accessories made and supplied by the original appliance manufacturer. In contrast, generic parts are parts made by companies other than the original appliance manufacturer. OEM components are usually more compatible with your appliance than generic ones. They are also more durable, have better quality, and preserve any existing warranties on your appliance.

Nevertheless, if the required OEM parts for your appliance repair cannot be sourced from the original appliance manufacturer or local supply stores, generic parts may be used instead. OEM or generic, always request a warranty from your repair technician that covers the parts and their repair work.

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

Home warranties are service contracts that offer coverage for repairing or replacing appliances that break down from regular wear and tear. These contracts are different from home insurance in that the latter protects your home and personal belongings from losses like fire, floods, theft, and other unexpected events. In contrast, home warranties are limited to specific appliances, like built-in microwave ovens, dishwashers, cooktops, and stoves.

Home warranties are typically valid for one year and can be renewed annually. Also, although most home warranties only cover wear and tear issues and breakdowns, some contracts cover damages derived from improper repairs and maintenance. However, most home warranties do not cover pre-existing problems or damages caused by poor appliance installation or misuse.

As such, before signing any home warranty, it is important to thoroughly study its terms and conditions.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Plano Technician?

Although there are no mandatory insurance requirements for appliance technicians in Plano, hiring an insured appliance repairer is essential. This protects you from financial liability from work accidents, making it a crucial consideration when assessing prospective technicians for your repairs. Plano appliance technicians who wish to obtain a state-issued license for fixing air conditioning and refrigeration appliances must maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence. This also applies to technicians who wish to offer residential appliance installation services.

You can verify whether your appliance repairers are adequately insured by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and calling the relevant insurance company for authentication. It is also a good idea to check for workers' compensation insurance coverage if you intend to engage the services of an appliance repair firm with employees (note that this type of insurance coverage is not mandatory).

You can get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for appliance repair professionals who hold state-issued licenses by contacting the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at (800) 803-9202.