Appliance Repair Cost

We rely on our household appliances every day, from cooking and keeping food fresh to washing and drying clothes. When the washing machine breaks down, the oven stops working, or the fridge won’t stay cold, it can disrupt the whole household.

The good news is that repairing an appliance is often a lot cheaper and faster than replacing it.

Appliance repair costs in the UK vary depending on the following factors:

• The appliance
• The fault
• Required parts
• Your location (prices are typically higher in London and the Southeast)

However, a professional repair can save you hundreds compared to buying new.

That’s where we can help!

In this guide, we break down average appliance repair costs, explain what affects the price and help you decide whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.

If your appliance isn’t working properly, you can compare free, no-obligation quotes from local appliance repair specialists and get it fixed quickly and affordably.

So, let’s get started!

How Much Does it Cost to Repair an Appliance?

The average cost of appliance repair in the UK is between £100 and £400. But you should expect to pay more for complex repairs. Minor faults are at the lower end of the scale.

An example would be replacing the pump on your washing machine, which will cost on average between £90 and £130. If, on the other hand, you needed a new motor, you may be looking at a cost of between £150 and £300.

There are several factors which have a bearing on the repair cost, including:

• The type of fault
• The make and model of the appliance
• The size of the appliance
• If replacement parts are needed
• Whether the repair is urgent
• Your UK location

Appliance Repair Prices

Supply Costs for Appliance Repair

When an appliance needs a new part, the cost will often depend on the brand, the availability, and whether it is an original part or an aftermarket part. Sometimes the labour charges for small fixes will be equal to or more than the part itself. Whereas Parts for larger repairs often cost more than labour charges.

Electric Oven Repair Cost

The cost to repair an electric oven , on average, costs between £50 and £150 for simple repairs and between £150 and £300 for more complex issues like a broken control board. A common fault is a broken thermostat or a damaged door seal, which costs between £40 and £160 to repair.

Gas oven repair is different and will need a gas safety engineer.

Hob Repair Cost

Replacing a gas burner on a hob is a common repair. Induction hobs sometimes have problems with sensors. The average cost of repairing a hob is between £100 and £200. Gas hobs and ovens might have higher labour charges because they can only be repaired by a Gas Safe engineer.

Cooker Hood Repair Cost

A repair to a cooker hood is often due to broken buttons. Another common problem is the motor not working properly, preventing the steam and grease from being extracted. Average repair costs range from £70 to £250. Switches and buttons are relatively cheap to replace. A new motor will cost significantly more.

Fridge/Freezer Repair Cost

Damaged door seals are a common problem in a fridge or freezer because, over time, the rubber hardens and cracks. The cost of a new seal will depend on the size of the fridge or freezer, but on average, you can expect to pay between £80 and £225 for this type of repair.

Other problems include the fridge or freezer failing to cool or freeze properly. In this case, you would need a new thermostat, which will cost on average between £100 and £280. Most problems with fridges and freezers will cost between £80 and £400.

Dishwasher Repair Cost

A typical dishwasher repair costs on average between £100 and £300. Common problems include heating faults, water not draining, and dishes not being cleaned properly.

A new heating element is likely to cost between £125 and £260. A new pump on average costs between £100 and £260 and a new motor will cost between £150 and £325. If you have water leaking from your dishwasher, you may need to replace the hose, which is likely to cost between £50 and £100.

Washing Machine Repair Costs

Repairing a washing machine can cost, on average, between £75 and £420. Common repairs are fitting a new pump, replacing the drum or renewing motor brushes. The cost of a new pump will, in most cases, be between £75 and £160.

Replacing a drum is an expensive repair and will cost between £145 and £425, depending on the washing machine brand. Renewing motor brushes on average costs between £95 and £210.

Tumble Dryer Repair Costs

Common tumble drier repair costs are, on average, between £110 and £160.

Minor repairs usually include snapped belts and broken door switches. These repairs normally cost between £60 and £100. Drum bearings or a heating element are repairs that cost more. You can expect to pay between £110 and £325.

Emergency callouts and same day repairs will also have a bearing on the cost. Parts may cost more because they have been delivered quickly. Labour will cost more because the job is urgent, which means the tradesperson may have had to reschedule other jobs, work over the weekend, or outside normal working hours. For example:

• Typical emergency call-out costs – £100 - £200
• Diagnostic charges – £40 to £50
• Emergency or out-of-hours repairs £100 - £400 depending on the appliance
• Emergency hourly rate – between £70 and £130
• Disposal of old appliances if repairs aren’t viable – Some companies will take your old appliances away if you have bought a replacement appliance from them. Otherwise, you may need to arrange disposal. Your local council may have a disposal service, or you can pay a driver and van to take the appliance to a tip or have the item collected by a private disposal company. Expect to pay between £25 and £50 for this service.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Appliance Repair

The labour costs relating to an appliance repair are usually quoted at an hourly rate or a fixed price and take between 1 and 3 hours to complete. Labour costs are influenced by your location.

For example, London prices are higher than the rest of the UK. In London, the average hourly rate for an electrician is £75 an hour, whereas in other parts of the UK, you can expect to pay an average hourly rate of £50.

However, many appliance repairs will be charged at a fixed price. For example, to supply and fit a new pump on a washing machine will cost on average between £100 and £200 on a fixed price quotation. A fixed price is easier to add to your budget.

Emergency callouts and repairs cost more. A typical call-out fee can be between £70 and £140.

Cost Factors for Appliance Repair

There are several factors involved in the final cost of an appliance repair, and they include:

Age and Condition of the Appliance

You need to take this into consideration when you need a repair. If your appliance is close to the end of a normal lifespan, then a major repair might not be worth the expense.

Make and Model

If you have a high-end brand, you may only be able to use original parts, which could be more expensive and harder to obtain for older models.

Availability of Parts

Some older models may be obsolete, and parts may no longer be available, or they may be hard to source.

Location and Call-out Distance

Labour charges vary across the UK. For example, in London you’ll pay more for an electrician than in Birmingham. Travel costs also add to the bill. If you live outside the electrician’s usual area of work, or in a remote or difficult-to-access location, then call-out costs will be higher.

Type of Issue

Some faults are quick and easy to repair. For example, a mechanical fault with a drain pump. Electrical or plumbing faults may take longer to diagnose and, therefore, will be more expensive to repair.

Whether the Appliance is Built-in or Freestanding

Freestanding appliances are easier to access. Built-in apppliances need to be taken out of the unit before a repair can be carried out, and then put back in afterwards.

Therefore, labour cost will be higher for a built-in appliance as the repair will take longer.

Building Regulations Related to Appliance Repair

Some appliances must comply with UK Building Regulations when repaired:

• Gas appliances – Must be repaired by a professional with gas safe registration
• Electrical appliances – The majority of electrical appliances are repaired by an appliance engineer or an electrician. But if the repair involves wiring that’s directly into the mains, replacing breakers or adding new circuits, then the electrician or the appliance engineer must be registered with an approved Part-P building regulation scheme.
• Water-connected units like washing machines and dishwashers should be repaired by a professional plumber. Although there are no building regulations for appliance repair, a professional plumber will comply with UK safety standards.

Types of Appliance Repairs

There are various types of appliance repairs. Some are more complex than others, or more time-consuming and will therefore be more expensive. The most common types of repairs are:

Electrical

Electrical repairs include wiring problems, electronic control boards, heating elements, thermostats and sensors. It’s important to use an electrician belonging to a Part-P registration scheme so that the repair is carried out in accordance with UK safety regulations.

Pros:

• ✔ More affordable than a replacement
• ✔ Improves safety

Cons:

• ✖ Not recommended for DIY repairs
• ✖ May take time to diagnose with higher labour costs

Mechanical

Mechanical repairs for household appliances cover moving parts, including motors, belts, pumps, drums and hinges.

Pros:

• ✔ Extends the lifespan of the appliance
• ✔ Repairs can often be done within an hour

Cons:

• ✖ Parts may be obsolete in older appliances
• ✖ Labour costs may be high if the appliance needs to be taken apart to repair

Plumbing Related

Washing machines and dishwashers are appliances that are plumbing-related and usually involve dealing with leaks, water that doesn’t drain or heat up properly.

Pros:

• ✔ Often easy to diagnose
• ✔ Repairs are usually completed quickly

Cons:

• ✖ Electronic parts may be expensive
• ✖ Built-in units need to be removed before repair, and so labour costs are higher

Sensor or Control Replacement

Sensor or control replacement is commonly required on hobs, cookers, dishwashers and washing machines. They give information about temperature, function and timing.

Pros:

• ✔ Fixes error codes
• ✔ Restores safety functions

Cons:

• ✖ May not be cost-effective on older appliances
• ✖ Diagnosis may take some time, increasing labour costs

Alternative Types of Appliances Solutions

Sometimes, repairing an appliance isn’t worth the cost. The reasons could be:

• Replacing the doors only on units is a mid-range option that may limit the cost of a full refit, whilst also providing a brand new feel and finish on the surface.
• The appliance is close to, or older than, its average lifespan
• It’s no longer energy efficient
• Spare parts are hard to find

In this case, you may need to consider an alternative solution. You could:

Replace the Appliance

The cost will be higher than a repair, but the item will have a guarantee, and it is likely to cost less to run because a newer model will be more energy efficient.

Buy a Refurbished Model

Refurbished appliances are cheaper than new models. Buy from reputable retailers or charity organisations that will provide a guarantee and check for a British or European safety mark. A refurbished gas cooker, for example, may cost between £200 and £300 less than the equivalent new model.

DIY Repairs

Simple DIY repairs will save you money as long as you have the time and the expertise to do the job. DIY jobs involving electrics or having to lay a water pipe aren’t recommended. But repairs like a pump replacement in a dishwasher, a new thermostat in a fridge/freezer or replacing the door seal in a washing machine can be done without the need to call a professional.

• A dishwasher pump costs on average between £25 and £75
• A fridge thermostat ranges from £30 to £50
• A washing machine door seal can cost between £50 and £100

Bear in mind that DIY repairs won’t have any guarantee of workmanship, and if the part is installed incorrectly, it may cause another breakdown.

Regular maintenance and services contracts can help to extend the lifespan of an appliance. They also help to avoid expensive repairs because problems are often spotted during servicing.

When you buy a new appliance, some companies offer appliance cover as an add-on. There are also plans you can buy online, after you have bought your appliance, which usually include an annual checkup and repair insurance. The cost will normally depend on the type of appliance, age and the brand. On average, prices start from around £75 a year.

Checklist: Hiring a Contractor for Appliance Repair

Appliances need to be repaired by a professional who complies with safety standards and building control regulations, if applicable. We recommend you get at least 3 quotes before committing to a repair technician.

You can easily do this with the help of MyJobQuote, which can put you in contact with reliable professionals for no-obligation repair quotes.

• Have you asked for more than one quote? Multiple quotes mean you can compare prices and services before making your choice.
• Does the professional have customer reviews and feedback? It is much easier to assess a company’s quality and reliability if it has reviews and feedback available from previous customers.
• Do they have the qualifications and certifications to do the job? For example, a gas repair will require a professional with Gas safe registration . If you need an electrician who can certify work under the competent person scheme, they are likely to be members of the NICEIC.
• Do they have the necessary experience working with your appliance type? Their experience with particular appliances helps them to understand common issues and diagnose problems faster
• Have they confirmed they will supply you with a full quotation? It needs to be clearly written and delivered on paper or by email.
• Does the company provide warranties for both parts and labour? Ask this question and make sure they include the answer in the quote.

Removing Appliances: Considerations and Costs

If you decide that repair isn’t a viable option and you plan to renew the appliance, it will need to be disconnected and removed.

Sometimes when you buy a new appliance, the company will disconnect and remove your old appliance free of charge or for a small fee. High street retailers who offer this service start their pricing at around £20.

If not, you will have to organise the disconnection and removal yourself.

Disconnection:

Some appliances, like gas cookers and hardwired ovens, must be disconnected by a professional because of safety regulations. For example, a gas cooker will need to be disconnected by a Gas Safe engineer. Many professionals will charge a fixed fee for this service. For example, the average cost for removing a gas cooker is between £90 and £120.

Disposal:

The disposal of appliances, including cookers, hobs, tumble dryers, dishwashers, freezers and fridges must comply with WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. That means you can either use:

• A High Street Store: Sometimes, when you buy your new appliance, the company will disconnect and remove your old appliance for a small fee. High street retailers who offer this service start their pricing at around £20.
• A Private Company: Only use one that removes appliances according to WEEE regulations. On average, they charge between £25 and £50. Check that the company are reputable because if they dispose of it by fly tipping, you could be prosecuted.
• The Council’s Bulky Collection Service. Some local councils collect for free, but most charge on average, between £25 and £40. Very heavy items like American fridge freezers won’t be included in the service because of their size and weight.
• Take It Yourself to a Recycling Centre: If you can fit your appliance into your vehicle and your local recycling centre will accept the appliance, you can dispose of it yourself. Many recycling centres are free, but you may need a permit for a van, so check on their website.

FAQs