Fridge Freezer Repair Costs

Does your fridge freezer need a repair?

Fridge freezers are popular in many households because they save space while combining two appliances. Having a freezer with your fridge means you can prepare meals ahead of time, make the most of short sell-by date food offers and freeze leftovers to use again at a later date.

If your fridge freezer breaks down, it’s sometimes cheaper to repair it than to replace it. In this guide, we explain what factors affect repair costs and your options if a repair isn’t possible. We also give you common causes of fridge freezer breakdowns and the average costs of repair.

How Much is a Fridge Freezer Repair?

The cost of repairing a fridge freezer in the UK depends on:

• The type of repair - A simple repair like a new thermostat (average cost £85) is much cheaper than replacing an evaporator fan (average cost £160)
• The labour costs - a straightforward repair will take less time than a more complex issue
• The fridge freezer brand – Original parts for some fridge freezer brands are a lot more expensive than a generic part. If your fridge freezer is under warranty, you may have to use a brand-name part to keep the warranty valid.

In London and the South East of England, fridge freezer repairs may cost between 25% and 35% more because the price of labour will be higher than in other parts of the UK.

Normally, if you have a fridge freezer, the appliance won’t be treated separately. A repair technician will quote you a repair cost for a fridge freezer, and not just the fridge or freezer part.

Fridge Freezer Repair Prices

The repair price will usually include the callout fee, the price of the part and the labour cost. Some companies also add a charge to diagnose the problem, which is generally between £40 and £60. The average callout charge is between £50 and £120.

An appliance technician will, on average, charge between £60 and £80 an hour outside London, or they will give you a fixed cost for the repair.

Here are some average costs of parts and labour for common repairs, using labour costs of £60 an hour.

Supply Costs for Fridge Freezer Repair

Typical parts that need repairing on a fridge freezer include:

• Thermostats - £15- £65
• Compressors - £250 - £400
• Fans - £30 - £115
• Door seals – £30- £80
• Sensors and circuit boards – £100 – £245
• Defrost heaters - £25 - £110
• Fan motors - £45 - £95

Most quotes will include the cost of parts. You may be asked if you want to pay more and fit an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part or go for the cheaper option, which is to use a third-party part. If your fridge freezer is under warranty, you may not get the choice. The warranty may become invalid if you don’t use OEM parts.

Parts for older fridge-freezers may be harder to find because they are no longer manufactured, and this might influence your choice to have the fridge freezer repaired or replaced.

Fridge freezer parts are available from online retailers, local suppliers or the websites of the particular brand you own.

Additional Costs for Fridge Freezer

It’s always best to be aware of any additional costs that can occur as a result of a fridge freezer repair. The most common extras are:

Callout Charge

A lot of repair services will add a callout charge to your repair quote. The average callout charge is between £50 and £120.

Diagnostic Fee

Not all repairs include a diagnostic fee, but if it is included, on average, the cost is between £40 and £60.

Emergency Repairs

If you have a repair done as an emergency, which you might if you have a freezer full of food, you could pay around £150 to £200 on top of the normal cost of repair, depending on the complexity of the repair. If it is a complicated job, then it will cost more.

Out-of-Hours or weekend Repairs

Weekend or evening out-of-hours repairs can incur extra hourly rates or a higher fixed price. It could mean paying between £50 and £150 or more, depending on the repair.

Higher Labour Costs

If you have an American-type fridge freezer which is heavy and difficult to handle, or your fridge freezer is integrated and needs to be removed from its unit for a repair and then replaced, the repair will take longer and so generate higher labour costs.

Removal and Disposal of a Fridge Freezer

Most councils will collect fridge freezers free of charge or for a small amount. If you don’t want to wait for a council pickup (sometimes it can be up to two weeks), then a fridge freezer removal is likely to cost between £50 and £75. Make sure the company or person you use will dispose of the fridge freezer according to WEEE regulations, as you could face a large fine.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Fridge Freezer Repair

A fridge freezer repair is generally a fixed quote once the repair technician is aware of the problem. If they use an hourly rate, then most repairs take between 1 and 2 hours, although a half-hour fix might be charged at a full hour. Complex repairs will take longer, and this will be reflected in your quote.

The average hourly rate to repair a fridge freezer is between >b>£50 and £90. If you live in London or the South East of England, you will pay a higher rate on the scale as the cost for services is generally higher than in other parts of the UK.

Cost Factors for Fridge Freezer Repair

Repair prices vary because there are several cost factors which influence the total price of a fridge freezer repair:

The age and model of the fridge freezer

The average lifespan of a fridge freezer is between 10 and 15 years. If you need an expensive repair on a model that’s nearing the end of its lifespan, it's probably better to replace it.

Whether it is integrated or freestanding

An integrated fridge freezer will take longer to repair because it will have to be removed for the repair and then replaced back into its unit.

The cost and availability of spare parts

More expensive fridge freezer brands have parts that cost more than an average brand, for example, AEG v. Smeg.

The type of fault and its complexity

If the fault is simple to repair, it is likely that the part is cheap too. For example, the cost to replace a thermostat is between £75 and £140. A circuit board replacement, however, is more complex, which is reflected in the cost of repair, at between £220 and £365.

The urgency of the repair

Emergency repairs can add between £150 and £200 to your repair bill.

Accessibility and ease of disassembly

This will affect labour costs. For example, an extra hour dealing with an integrated fridge freezer could add between £60 and £90 to your quote.

Building Regulations Related to Fridge Freezer Repair

There aren’t any building regulations regarding the repair of fridge freezers as such, but if the repairs need fixed wiring work, then Part P regulations will apply.

The repair should only be carried out by a Part P-registered technician to guarantee safety and compliance. American fridge freezers with water dispensers or ice makers might require plumbing expertise so that the work meets with water supply regulations.

Types of Fridge Freezer Repairs

Fridge freezer repairs can be broken down into 4 common types, which are:

Cooling Problems

These are normally caused by a thermostat problem and can be a fridge repair or a replacement needed in the freezer.

Pros of a cooling repair

• ✔ Extends the lifespan of the fridge freezer
• ✔ Simple repair completed quickly

Cons of cooling repairs

• ✖ Named-brand thermostats for older fridge-freezers may be difficult to find

Mechanical Repairs

Mechanical repairs include parts such as the evaporator fan motor.

Pros of a mechanical repair

• ✔ Normally, an affordable repair
• ✔ Often fixed within 1 to 2 hours

Cons of mechanical repairs

• ✖ Costs might rise if the fridge freezer needs to be dismantled

Electrical Faults

Electrical faults can include replacement sensors or control boards.

Pros of electrical repair

• ✔ Avoids further damage to other components
• ✔ If the fault was a cooling problem, the repair will restore energy efficiency

Cons of electrical repair

• ✖ Not recommended for DIY repairs

Drainage or Defrost Issues

Drainage or defrost problems with a fridge freezer are often caused by problems with defrost heaters or blocked drains.

Pros of drainage or defrost repair

• ✔ Affordable repair
• ✔ Improves efficiency

Cons of drainage or defrost repair

• ✖ May take time to diagnose and therefore increase labour costs

Alternative Types of Fridge Freezer Solutions

Replacing the Fridge Freezer

If your fridge freezer is 8 years old or more and has already had one or two repairs, then it might be time to consider a replacement. You can pay between £200 and £3,500 for a new fridge freezer, depending on the brand and its features.

You pay more for an American fridge freezer as they have a larger capacity and usually include features like ice-making dispensers and Wi-Fi connection.

One of the advantages of a new fridge freezer is energy savings. A newer standard appliance is likely to save you money on your bills because it will use less electricity.

However, American fridge freezers do cost more to run because of their added features and larger capacity.

Buying a Refurbished Model

Buying a refurbished model usually means you can buy a more expensive brand at an affordable price.

It’s best to buy a refurbished model from a trusted retailer, as they will have tested the fridge freezer thoroughly, and it will likely come with a warranty or guarantee.

Attempting DIY Fixes Before Calling in a Professional

Common DIY fixes for fridge freezers include replacing door seals, fitting a new thermostat or checking for a blocked drain hole. Electrical faults or anything gas-related, though, should always be left to a professional.

Taking Out a Maintenance Contract

Consider taking out a maintenance contract on your fridge freezer, which helps to extend its lifespan and spot faults before they become serious problems. You may be offered a warranty when you buy a new fridge freezer, which you can normally extend.

You can also take out a warranty yourself with an insurance company retailer. The average cost of a fridge freezer warranty is between £8 and £12 a month. You usually have the choice to budget with a monthly charge or pay the annual fee up front.

Checklist: Hiring a Fridge Freezer Repair Technician

• Do you have at least 3 quotes? This means you can compare quotes to find the one that suits you best.
• Does the repair technician have customer reviews? Check the reliability and standard of workmanship by looking at the comments from previous customers.
• Do they have the relevant insurance cover? A repair engineer will need to have public liability insurance, which covers any damage to your property or injury to a person while working in your home.
• Have they repaired fridge-freezers before? Experience working with fridge freezers means a repair technician can understand common issues and diagnose problems faster.
• Have they given you a full written quotation? It should include the full scope of the work and be delivered to you by email or to your home in writing.
• Has the company offered warranties for parts and labour? A good company will provide guarantees for parts and labour. Make sure this is included in their quote.

Removing Fridge Freezers: Considerations and Costs

If your old machine can’t be repaired, then it is going to have to be removed and disposed of, which might involve extra costs. Here are some of the factors you need to consider for a fridge freezer removal and disposal:

Disconnection: If you can disconnect the machine yourself, then it won’t cost you any money at all.

• You’ll need to turn off the electricity and the water supply if you have an ice maker.
• Unplug the fridge freezer from the mains
• Disconnect the water supply
• When you move the fridge freezer, lay a towel on the floor in case there is any water in the container at the back of the appliance.

If you are not able to disconnect your appliance, a handyperson will be able to help you. A handyperson, on average, charges between £20 and £30 an hour.

Disposal: The disposal of a fridge freezer must comply with WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. That means you can either use:

• A High Street Store: Retailers will often take your old fridge freezer away when you buy a new one. Some shops offer this as a free service, and others charge a small fee, which is usually around £20 to £25
• A Private Company: There are white goods disposal companies that will take away your fridge freezer for a fee. Make sure it is a reliable company that will dispose of the appliance according to WEEE regulations. Otherwise, you might find you face a fine from your local authority if it is found dumped as a result of fly tipping. Average costs for this service are around £25 to £50.
• The Council’s Bulky Collection Service: Many local councils collect fridge freezers. Some councils offer this service free, and others charge. On average, you’ll probably pay between £25 and £40.
• The Recycling Centre: Most recycling centres will accept white goods, like fridge freezers, free of charge, which is useful if you have a vehicle large enough to transport them to the recycling centre. Suppose not a van and driver service can do this for you. A van and driver is likely to cost between £40 and £60.
• Give it Away If your fridge freezer is still in good condition, a charity might be able to use it, or it could go to a family in need. Contact your local charities to find out how you can donate the fridge freezer and how they will collect it.

FAQs