Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Irvine, CA

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

Appliance technicians in Irvine install and repair household appliances, like refrigerators, stoves, microwave ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, and room air conditioners. These technicians must register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) before providing their services to interested city residents. Even though appliance technicians are known to work on various household appliances, many technicians often choose to specialize in certain areas of competence, which include:

• Appliance Specialization: These appliance technicians repair and maintain a particular type of appliance, irrespective of the manufacturer
• Energy-source specialization: These appliance technicians typically work on either electric or gas appliances. However, some technicians in this category also repair and maintain hybrid and solar-powered appliances.
• Product specialization: These appliance technicians repair and maintain one or more products from specific appliance manufacturers, like Kenmore, LG, Whirlpool, Samsung, Maytag, Bosch, Frigidaire, Electrolux, General Electric (GE), and KitchenAid.
• Size-based specialization: While most appliance technicians focus on regular household appliances, technicians in this category specialize in maintaining and repairing larger-sized appliances commonly found in commercial and industrial settings.

The average life expectancy of most major household appliances is listed below:

• Refrigerator: 10-15
• Dishwasher: 7-12
• Washing machine: 7-11
• Dryer: 10-15
• Oven: 9-14
• Stove/range: 10-14
• Microwave: 5-10

Your appliance's lifespan and durability depend on its model, make, proper maintenance, and use. However, whether your appliances are new or not, call a professional Irvine appliance technician if you notice any of the following:

• You smell burning
• Your appliance is making abnormal noise
• You notice moisture in or around the appliance
• You detect general malfunctions
• You notice a significant increase in energy bills

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Irvine?

Before providing services in Irvine, appliance repair technicians must register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) in one of the following categories:

• Electronic Service Dealers: These technicians maintain and repair electronic devices and appliances like microwave ovens, photocopiers, televisions, video games, radios, and computer systems.
• Major Home Appliance Service Dealers: These technicians maintain and repair various home appliances, including microwaves, ovens, washers, dryers, freezers, dishwashers, ranges, and room air-conditioners.
• Combination Service Dealers: These technicians offer appliance repair services included in electronic and major home appliance service dealers options.

Any appliance technician who fails to comply with the BHGS' registration requirements is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1000, a jail term of up to six months, or a combination of both. However, the BHGS exempts individuals who have a C-10 electrical contractor license or a C-7 low-voltage communications systems contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) as long as the service they provide is within the scope of their license.

Furthermore, technicians who intend to fix, repair, or maintain appliances such as freezers, refrigerators, and other refrigerant-containing appliances must have a Section 608 Technician Certification from an EPA-approved agency.

Always confirm that any appliance repair technician you intend to hire has been appropriately registered for the service they are to provide. You can do this using the BHGS' License Search tool.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Irvine?

Appliance repair technicians in Irvine charge average labor rates between $50 - $150 per hour. Nevertheless, the total cost of appliance repairs in the city ranges between $85 - $700 or more, depending on several criteria, such as:

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

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

It is important to note that pricing may vary between different repair technicians. Therefore, it is recommended that you compare appliance repair prices with up to three technicians before deciding on who to hire. This gives you a fair idea of current market rates and saves you from being defrauded by dishonest technicians. However, do not hire a technician simply because they offer the lowest rates; ensure they have been properly registered, have enough experience, and have a good local reputation before settling for them.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification refers to an authorization given by manufacturers to appliance repair technicians to indicate these technicians have been trained and authorized to provide specialized services for their products. Remember, that the services of factory-certified repair technicians typically cost more than that of non-factory-certified technicians; however, these factory-certified technicians offer several benefits that make up for this extra cost, like:

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

In addition to factory certification from product manufacturers, professional appliance technicians in Irvine also receive certifications such as the National Appliance Service Technician Certification (NASTeC) provided by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

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

It is essential to confirm with your appliance repair technician whether your faulty appliance will be repaired using the Original Equipment Manufacturer's parts or generic parts. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are made and supplied by the appliance's original manufacturer, whereas generic parts are parts made by parties other than the original appliance manufacturer. These OEM parts have the advantage of being more compatible with the appliance, maintaining functionality and value, and protecting any warranty on your appliance.

However, generic parts may be used as a substitute if your repair technician cannot get OEM parts from local supply stores and online markets or the original appliance manufacturer. This usually happens when the production of the appliance has been discontinued. Nonetheless, always get a written warranty from your appliance repair technician covering their repair work and replacement parts used (do this even if OEM parts are used).

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

Home warranties are service agreements that subsidize the cost of repairing or replacing covered home systems or appliances, such as dryers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers, when they break down over time because of wear and tear. This agreement is typically valid for one year and can be renewed annually. However, there is a difference between home warranties and home insurance; the former covers specific household appliances, while the latter provides financial coverage for your home and personal possessions against losses like theft, floods, fire, and other unexpected events.

Although most warranties only cover wear and tear-related problems and breakdowns, others may also cover damages from inadequate maintenance and faulty repair. However, most home warranties do not cover the following:

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

You must read your warranty carefully before signing off to know its specific terms and conditions.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Irvine Appliance Technician?

Hiring an appliance technician who is insured and bonded is essential as this will save you from any financial liability if there is property damage or injuries in the course of repairing an appliance. Although state-registered appliance technicians in Irvine don't have to comply with any mandatory insurance requirements, you should still ensure your prospective technician has general liability insurance. Additionally, ensure that you check if the technicians have any employees and that they are covered by workers' compensation insurance, which is required by state law.

You can determine whether your hired appliance technician is insured by requesting a copy of their certificate and contacting the appropriate insurance provider to authenticate it. You can also get additional information on state-required workers' compensation insurance coverage by contacting the California Division of Workers' Compensation via email or at 1-800-736-7401.