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

Appliance technicians in Glendale maintain and repair appliances like freezers, ovens, washers, and microwaves. These technicians do not require any licensing locally. However, there are state-issued licenses they may need to obtain before performing specific tasks like fixing or maintaining refrigerators, AC units, or propane-powered appliances. Although Glendale appliance repair technicians are generally competent in fixing various appliances, many prefer to concentrate and specialize in a particular niche. These areas of specialization include:

• Energy-Source specialization: these appliance technicians fix electric or gas-powered appliances. Some have also honed their skills in repairing appliances powered by propane.
• Appliance-type specialization: these appliance technicians are competent in fixing and maintaining a particular type of appliance, regardless of the manufacturer's name.
• Brand specialization: these appliance technicians specialize in one or more products from a particular manufacturer.
• Size-based specialization: Many appliance technicians generally focus on repairing household appliances. Some may, however, specialize in commercial-sized appliances commonly used in commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, and other commercial or industrial establishments.

Below is a list of the average life expectancy of major household appliances (in years):

• Refrigerators: 10 – 13
• Microwave Ovens: 8 – 10
• Freezers: 10 -15
• Compactors: 6 – 7
• Washing Machines: 9 - 10
• Dryers: 10 – 13
• Dishwashers: 8 – 10
• Garbage Disposers: 10 – 12

The lifespan of your appliance will depend on the frequency of use, make, model, and maintenance. You should, nonetheless, always engage the services of a professional appliance technician when you notice any of the following malfunctions with your appliance:

• A burning smell
• Noticeable increase in energy costs
• Unexplained moisture around the appliance
• Abnormal sounds from the appliance
• General malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Glendale?

There are no local occupation-specific licensing requirements for general appliance repairs in Glendale. However, appliance repair technicians in the city who wish to repair or maintain heating, ventilation, cooling appliances, and propane-powered appliances must hold a contractor's license issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) before offering services worth $1000 or more. In addition, technicians who intend to service, repair, or maintain refrigerators, AC units, and freezers must obtain a Section 608 Certification from a certifying organization approved by the Environmental Protection Agency before they offer such services (this is mandated by federal law).

Hiring an appliance repair technician who has complied with applicable licensing (and certification) requirements assures you that your required services will be provided by a skilled and competent professional. You can verify a technician's state-issued license using the ROC's Contractor Search tool (always do this before hiring for repairs involving heating, cooling, ventilation, and propane-powered appliances, regardless of the job's estimated cost).

You can also call the Glendale Building Safety Department at (623) 930-2800 to ask any questions regarding licensing requirements for appliance technicians in Glendale.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Glendale?

Appliance repair technicians in Glendale typically charge hourly labor rates of $50 - $120. The overall cost of fixing faulty or broken down appliances is influenced by a number of factors, such as:

• The type of appliance
• The nature of fault or malfunction
• The urgency of the repairs
• The cost of parts replacement
• Accessibility to the appliance
• The appliance's energy source

Estimates for repairing some common appliances in Glendale are listed below:

Please request and compare the cost of repairing your appliance from about two or three technicians before settling for one. This way, you can understand the current market prices and avoid being ripped off by shady technicians. However, cheaper does not always mean better; verify that your preferred technician is competent, experienced, and has excellent local reviews.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification is a designation that appliance manufacturers give technicians to show they are competent, experienced, and specially authorized to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair the manufacturer's brand of products. Hiring these factory-certified may cost you a few more dollars than regular technicians; however, doing this comes with several benefits that justify this extra cost:

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

In addition to factory certification, professional appliance technicians in Glendale undergo training and certifications with the Electric League of Arizona and world-renowned organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

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

You should confirm if your Glendale appliance repair technician will use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts while fixing your appliance. OEM parts are made by the appliance manufacturer to be fixed, while third-party manufacturers make generic parts. While generic parts are cheaper and may work with your appliance, OEM parts are more appliance-compatible, durable, and of higher quality, making them the better choice. Using OEM parts also protects any existing warranties on your appliance.

However, an appliance technician might have to use generic parts as a substitute if OEM parts cannot be sourced from the original appliance manufacturer, local supply stores, or the online market. This can be the case when production of the particular appliance model has stopped or there is a supply shortage. Nonetheless, always ask your appliance technician for a warranty that covers their repair work regardless of the type of parts used. This warranty guarantees the quality of the technician's services.

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

Home warranties are service contracts that typically cover the repair, servicing, or replacement of household appliances like dryers, ovens, cookers, and other appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. They are usually valid for a year and can be renewed annually. These home warranties differ from home insurance, which covers damages to your home and personal belongings from unexpected events.

In addition to covering damages from normal wear and tear, some home warranties may also cover the cost of damages that come from improper repair and poor appliance maintenance. However, standard home warranties do not generally cover the following:

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

It is important to always read your home warranty carefully before signing to know its specific terms and conditions.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Glendale Appliance Technician?

Always ensure that the appliance technician you intend to hire is adequately insured and bonded, as this assures your protection from financial liability in case of injury or property damage while repairing your appliance.

Appliance technicians in Glendale with state-issued licenses authorizing them to repair, service, or maintain freezers, refrigerators, AC units, and propane-powered appliances must maintain a bond ranging from $2,500 to $100,000, depending on their license classification and the anticipated volume of work per year. Appliance technicians in the city must also carry worker's compensation insurance for their employees. Also, even though it is not mandatory, you should ensure that the intended technician carries general liability insurance - this way, you won't be held liable if accidents or property damage occurs during your requested appliance repair services.

You can get more information on Glendale appliance technicians' insurance requirements by contacting the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 and the Arizona Corporation Commission at (602) 542-3521.