Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Los Angeles, CA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Los Angeles

The average cost of hiring a good appliance repair service in Los Angeles is $230. At this price, you get to save hundreds of dollars in possible replacement cost, additional repair from poor workmanship, and loss of warranty from damages caused by an untrained handyman. When you are seeking an experienced technician in the city to repair your faulty washing machines, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and other household appliances, ask the following questions to determine the professional is a good hire:

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Los Angeles?

All individuals involved in the installation, repair, servicing, and maintenance of electronic equipment and household appliances in Los Angeles are statutorily required to register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). These electronic equipment and household appliances include, but are not limited to, televisions, radio receivers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, dishwashers, computer systems, burglar alarm systems used in private motor vehicles, trash compactors, and photocopiers.

Failure to comply with this licensing requirement is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or a combination of fines and imprisonment. However, registration exemptions are made for individuals that have been duly licensed as electrical contractors or low-voltage communications systems contractors with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), provided that they are working within the scope of their contractor license.

Electronics and appliance repair men that wish to register with the BHGS may do so by completing a Service Dealer Application for Registration Form and submitting this form, along with all applicable fees and supporting documentation, to the bureau at:

Department of Consumer Affairs
BHGS Licensing
P.O. Box 980578
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0578

Completed application forms can also be sent to the bureau via overnight courier to the following address:

Department of Consumer Affairs
BHGS Licensing
1625 N. Market Boulevard
Suite S-100
Sacramento, CA 95834

The BHGS provides registrants with the option of registering as Electronic Service Dealers, Major Home Appliance Dealers, or Combination Service Dealers. Electronic service dealers are authorized to install, repair, service, or maintain microwave ovens as well as electronic equipment like televisions, computer systems, and private vehicle radios, alarms, and ignition devices. On the other hand, major home appliance service dealers are authorized to repair, service, and maintain appliances used for homes or personal vehicles, such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, room air conditioners, washers, and dryers. Finally, combination service dealers can engage in both electronic equipment and appliance repair and maintenance activities.

Note that electronics and appliance repair men must complete a separate registration for each place of business and drop-off location where they accept equipment and appliances for repair, regardless of whether or not any actual repairs are performed on these premises. Appliance repair men that work on refrigerators, freezers, or any other appliances or equipment that contain refrigerants must also obtain additional certification from the EPA. You can make inquiries concerning the BHGS's electronics and appliance repair registration process by calling (916) 999-2041 or via email.

You should always confirm that your intended appliance repair men have been properly registered by the BHGS before retaining their services. You can do this by utilizing the bureau's online license/registry search portal. If your appliance repair man claims to possess a valid CSLB-issued electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractor license, you can also validate this claim online via the board's Check a License platform. You should also validate claims of certification from trade associations like the International Society of Electronics Technicians and the United Appliance Servicers Association with the appropriate organization.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Los Angeles?

The cost of appliance repair services in Los Angeles is largely influenced by the following factors:

  • The type of electronic equipment or appliance that needs servicing or fixing
  • The level of damage to the appliance
  • The cost of parts that may be required for the repair job
  • Accessibility to the equipment or appliance and the amount of labor required for the job
  • Your location within the city

Getting and comparing quotes from several electronics and appliance repair men in Los Angeles before making your final hiring decision is a good way to avoid being scammed by fraudulent repairers in the city. It is also a good idea for the repair men physically inspect the appliance in question before coming up with their quotes. Note that some electronics and appliance repair men in the city charge diagnosis fees before coming up with their quotes. Regardless of this, make sure that you are given a written estimate for the job and specifically authorize the repair before the repair man commences any work on your faulty appliance.

Appliance repair men in Los Angeles earn an average annual wage of $48,760. Provided below is a comparison of the hourly average wage for appliance repair men in Los Angeles with those of these technicians in other areas of the State of California and several other locations across the United States:

Los Angeles Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.44
California Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.23
San Diego Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$21.96
Phoenix Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$29.43
New York City Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$27.05
Chicago Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$17.16
Houston Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.60
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in Los Angeles?

When looking to fix a faulty refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave oven, dryer, or any other type of appliance in Los Angeles, it is necessary to ensure that your preferred electronics and appliance repair man has been factory-certified by the appliance's manufacturer. Factory-certified technicians are appliance repair men that have been trained and approved by appliance manufacturers to provide advanced or specialized repair services on their products. Benefits of hiring factory-certified technicians for your appliance repair services in Los Angeles include:

  • These professionals have been vetted by the appliance manufacturer and they typically have access to authentic parts as well technical and administrative support from these manufacturers
  • They are generally more knowledgeable and experienced in handling a wide range of repairs of specific appliance brands than their non-factory-certified counterparts
  • Working with factory-certified appliance repair men provides you with an extra degree of confidence that your repair job will be done professionally and satisfactorily while also ensuring that any existing warranties on your appliance are not voided

Note that the make and model of your appliance will determine the availability of factory-certified appliance repair men within your vicinity. In situations where you cannot find a factory-certified technician, or if the warranties on your appliance are expired, you may consider hiring non-certified technicians to handle your appliance repair. Many of these repair men have extensive on-the-job training and knowledge and can provide the same level of services that factory-certified repair men do. Nonetheless, you should always confirm that any appliance repairer you hire in the city has been registered by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, is properly equipped for the job, and also has access to authentic equipment parts.

Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?

Before finalizing any agreements with appliance repair men in Los Angeles, you should always find out the types of appliance parts that they intend to use for your repair job. Appliance parts are generally grouped into two categories, namely:

  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts: these are parts that are made and supplied by the appliance's manufacturer
  • Generic Appliance Parts: these are parts that are made by third parties. In some cases, these third parties are affiliated with the appliance's manufacturer

While OEM parts are generally more expensive than generic appliance parts, they are usually more durable and also of higher quality, making them the better option for appliance repair jobs. In addition to this, using a generic appliance part instead of an OEM part for repairs may void any existing warranties that you have on your appliance. Note that in some cases, your appliance repair man may be unable to get the required OEM parts for your repair job. This usually happens in situations where the appliance's manufacturer has discontinued the production of these parts and they are unavailable in local or online supply stores and marketplaces. Under these circumstances, you may have no choice but to use a generic part for the repair job.

Regardless of the types of parts that have to be used for your appliance repair, always make sure that the appliance repair man issues you product and workmanship warranties. These warranties cover the parts used for the job as well as the actual repair work done. Also, ensure that you clearly understand the terms of warranties that you are given to avoid voiding them.

What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?

Confirming the types of appliance repair services that your preferred appliance repair man is equipped to provide is necessary for ensuring that you receive satisfactory services while also avoiding misunderstandings down the line. Appliance repair men in Los Angeles generally provide repair, installation, servicing, and maintenance services over a wide variety of electronic equipment and appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwave ovens, televisions, computer systems, dishwashers, and stoves.

Always make sure that the appliance repair man you hire not only offers the kind of appliance repair service that you require but also specializes in the specific type and brand of appliance that you need to fix. Also, get a written estimate of the cost of the repair service before signing any contracts with the repair technician. Listed below are cost estimates of appliance repair services that are commonly requested in Los Angeles:

Central vacuum system installation
$2,010 - $2,985 (for existing typical four-bedroom home)
Computer system repair
$50 - $350
Dishwasher repair
$80 - $225
Dishwasher water and drain line installation
$158 - $182
Dryer repair
$105 - $225
Electrical appliance installation
$152 - $207 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Electronics repair
$70 - $350
Garbage disposal unit repair/installation
$423 - $534 per hour (labor only)
Gas appliance installation
$165 - $220
Ice maker water line installation
$100 - $220
Microwave oven installation
$154 - $172 (labor only, for basic microwave installation)
Microwave oven repair
$80 - $250
Refrigerator water line installation
$120 - $220
Washer repair
$125 - $375
Stove repair
$80 - $330 (labor only)
Refrigerator repair
$100 - $325 (labor only)

How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?

If you are unsatisfied with the services provided by your appliance repair man, the first step to take is to inform them of the situation. Professional appliance repair men in Los Angeles will typically take steps to reasonably resolve any issues that you may have, either by going over the work done and rectifying any observed lapses, referring you to a different repair man, or refunding your payment. Depending on the specific circumstances of the repair service, these refunds may be partial or in full.

However, if you cannot reach an amicable resolution with the appliance repair man or if you determine that they are being deceptive in their dealings, you can refer the matter to third parties like the Bureau of Households Goods and Services (BHGS) and the Better Business Bureau for assistance and possible regulatory action.

Complaints can be filed with the BHGS online or by submitting a completed complaint form to:

4244 South Market Court
Suite D
Sacramento, CA, 95834-1243

Likewise, the Los Angeles office of the Better Business Bureau can be contacted at:

835 Wilshire Boulevard
Room 600
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 631-3600

Finally, you can also take legal action against the appliance repair technician by filing a small claims case against them with the Los Angeles County Small Claims Court. Note that this court only has jurisdiction over civil matters that do not exceed $10,000. You should always get proper legal advice before taking any type of legal action. You can get referrals to licensed consumer attorneys in Los Angeles by accessing the State Bar of California's Need Legal Help webpage or by utilizing the online directory provided by the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Los Angeles?

There are no mandatory insurance requirements for BHGS-registered electronics and appliance repair men in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, you should always make sure that any repair man you hire in the city carries general liability insurance, as well as workers' compensation insurance for any apprentices or employees that they have. Doing this insulates you financially and legally if any on-the-job accidents or injuries occur during your repair job, and prevents you from having to make avoidable out-of-pocket expenses in these situations.

To this end, make sure that you request proof of insurance from your intended appliance repair man and validate this proof with the appropriate insurance company. Note that, if your appliance repair man holds a CSLB-issued electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractor license, then they must post and maintain a license bond of $15,000. You can contact the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 to get more information on its bonding requirements for individuals that hold contractor licenses in Los Angeles.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in Los Angeles

In 2020 alone, the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services received over 2,500 consumer complaints from consumers across the state concerning the actions of bad appliance repair men and other bureau-regulated professionals. As such, even though appliance repair men in Los Angeles typically provide their services competently and above board, there is always the possibility that you may contact a fraudulent repair man when looking to fix faulty electronic equipment and appliances in the city. These fraudulent repair men deceptively obtain money from unsuspecting consumers through several schemes, such as:

  • Lying about their registration status with the BHGS
  • Requesting full upfront payment for repairs and subsequently providing shoddy services
  • Exaggerating the nature of the required repair job to inflate their charges

The following tips can help you can avoid falling victim to the actions of fraudulent appliance repair men in Los Angeles:

  • Get and compare estimates from multiple appliance repair men in the city
  • Always confirm that your appliance repair man has been registered by the BHGS via its license/registry search portal. If they claim to hold a CSLB-issued contractor's license that exempts them from BHGS registration, then confirm the validity of this license via the CSLB's Check a License platform
  • Request references from your preferred repair man and contact these references. You can also lookup reviews on repair men in the city via platforms like the Better Business Bureau and Google Review
  • Never pay the full cost of your required repair service upfront and limit advance payments to a fraction of the job's total cost
  • Make sure that you are issued a service receipt or claim check when the faulty appliance is accepted for repair and an invoice for the job after the repair is completed
  • Ask about warranties and make sure that you understand the terms and conditions of these warranties to avoid voiding them

You can file complaints against fraudulent appliance repair men in Los Angeles with the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, either online or by submitting a pdf complaint form to this agency at:

4244 South Market Court
Suite D
Sacramento, CA, 95834-1243

Complaints concerning these types of matters can also be filed with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office online or by contacting the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (213) 974-1452 and (800) 593-8222.