Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Fremont, CA

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

Fremont appliance technicians specialize in maintaining and repairing household appliances. These technicians must register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services before providing any repair services locally. Even though Fremont appliance technicians are knowledgeable about various appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, and microwaves, they often specialize in particular areas of appliance repair. These areas of specialization include:

• Size: While most appliance technicians typically focus on regular household appliances, some specialize in diagnosing and fixing larger appliances commonly found in commercial settings.
• Power-Source: These technicians focus on fixing either electric or gas appliances. Some may further specialize in diagnosing and fixing hybrid/dual-fuel and solar-powered appliances.
• Appliance: These technicians specialize in fixing and servicing specific appliances, irrespective of the product manufacturer.
• Product: These appliance technicians specialize in fixing and servicing one or more products from a particular appliance manufacturer, like Sony, Kenmore, and LG.

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

• Refrigerators: 10 – 12
• Freezers: 10 -15
• Washing Machines: 8 - 10
• Dryers: 10 – 13
• Dishwashers: 8 – 10
• Microwave Ovens: 8 – 10
• Ranges/Oven Hoods: 10 – 16
• Garbage Disposers: 10 – 12

Your appliance's lifespan and durability depend on its make, model, level of maintenance, and use. Nevertheless, always call on a professional Fremont appliance technician if you notice the following, regardless of how new your appliance may be:

• You detect smoke, sparking, or burning smells from the appliance
• You notice general malfunctions
• The appliance is leaking water
• There is a noticeable increase in your energy costs when you use the appliance.
• You notice unexplained moisture in or around the appliance

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Fremont?

Per state requirements, appliance repair technicians who wish to operate in Fremont must first register with the California Bureau Of Household Goods And Services (BHGS) under one of the following categories:

• Major Home Appliance Service Dealers: These technicians repair and maintain appliances like freezers, washers, dryers, microwave ovens, and room air conditioners.
• Electronic Service Dealers: These technicians repair and maintain microwave ovens and other electronic equipment like radios, televisions, video games, and computer systems.
• Combination Service Dealers: These technicians provide appliance repair services included in the major home appliance and electronic service dealer options.

Failure to comply with the BGHS's registration requirements before providing appliance repair services in Fremont is considered a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a fine of up to $1000, a jail term of up to six months, or a combination of both. However, technicians licensed as electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractors by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) are exempted from this requirement as long as the work they perform falls under the scope of their contractor license.

Also, note that a Section 608 Technician Certification obtained from an EPA-approved agency is required for appliance repair technicians who intend to work on appliances that contain refrigerants.

Always verify the BHGS has registered your prospective appliance repair technician before hiring. You can do this online through the bureau's license search portal. You can also direct questions concerning Fremont appliance repair technicians' registration requirements to the BHGS at (916) 999-2041.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Fremont?

Appliance repair technicians in Fremont typically charge average labor rates of about $50 - $150 per hour, with overall repair costs running into about $50 to $700. Note that this overall cost will be influenced by factors like:

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

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

To avoid getting ripped off by dishonest repair technicians, get and compare quotes for your appliance repair from at least three technicians before hiring.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification refers to the designation given by appliance manufacturers to repair technicians indicating that these technicians have been authorized to provide advanced or specialized services for the manufacturer's particular brand of products. The services of a factory-certified repair technician may be costlier than that of a repair technician who is not. However, the extra cost of hiring a factory-certified technician is generally balanced out by several benefits, such as:

• Warranty protection
• Assurance that experienced professionals will handle your repairs
• Access to authentic replacement parts and direct technical support from your appliance's manufacturer

In addition to factory certification from product manufacturers, professional Fremont appliance technicians also obtain certifications like the National Appliance Service Technician Certification (NASTeC) from renowned organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

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

confirm whether your appliance repair technician will use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Generic Parts for your home appliance repairs. OEM parts are made by the appliance's original manufacturer, while generic parts are made by companies other than the original appliance manufacturer. These OEM parts are typically more durable, high-quality, and appliance-compatible than generic parts; they also protect any existing warranties on your appliance when used for repairs.

However, even though using OEM parts is always the best choice, generic parts may be used in cases where OEM parts cannot be sourced from the original appliance manufacturer and local supply stores. Always request a warranty from your repair technician that covers the repair work and all replacement parts used, whether OEM or generic.

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

Home warranties are contracts that agree to provide a homeowner with discounted repair and replacement services for covered systems and appliances, like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers, that inevitably break down over time. Home warranties differ from homeowners insurance in that they do not cover damage caused by unexpected events such as fires, floods, or theft and only cover specified appliances.

Although home warranties cover appliance faults and breakdowns that result from normal wear and tear, some contracts may include cover for damages from inadequate maintenance and improper repair. Most home warranties do not cover the following:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Misuse or abuse of appliance
• Items not covered in the warranty

If you are considering purchasing a home warranty, it is important to read the fine print carefully to understand what is and is not covered before signing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Fremont Appliance Technician?

Verifying your intended appliance repair technicians' insurance status is vital in assessing their suitability. Although there are no compulsory insurance requirements for state-registered appliance technicians in Fremont, you should ensure that your intended technician carries general liability insurance. In addition, if the technician has any employees, they must also carry workers' compensation insurance (this is mandated by state law).

You can confirm whether your appliance repair technician is adequately insured by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and contacting the named insurance provider to validate it. You can also get more information on state-mandated workers' compensation insurance by contacting the California Division of Workers' Compensation at 1-800-736-7401 or via email.