Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Mesa, AZ

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Mesa

Mesa is the "ultimate desert playground" with fun activities for outdoor lovers and sports enthusiasts. However, this desert city's hot and often extreme weather conditions typically put a strain on air conditioning units, refrigerators, and freezers. While any home appliance can break down at any time, you should consider giving your devices proper maintenance during periods of intense use to save money on repair costs. Luckily, there are over 600 home appliance repairers in the Phoenix-Mesa area who can help diagnose and fix your appliance issues quickly and effectively.

Whenever your appliance breaks down, it is wise to engage an experienced and insured technician to fix the problem instead of attempting a DIY repair. This will ensure that your appliance is fixed properly without the risk of further damage, personal injury, or voiding existing warranties.

However, before hiring appliance repair technicians in Mesa, we recommend asking the following questions to ensure that they are qualified to get the job done competently:

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

Appliance technicians are experts in maintaining and repairing home appliances like ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. While there are no local licensing requirements for appliance repair in Mesa, technicians in the city may need to obtain a state-issued contractor's license before providing certain appliance repair services (like room AC unit repairs) that cost more than $1,000.

Professional appliance technicians usually specialize in at least one of the following types of appliance repair:

  • Product-based: these technicians specialize in fixing appliances from specific manufacturers, like KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag, LG, Frigidaire, and Kenmore.
  • Appliance-based: these technicians specialize in fixing specific types of appliances, like refrigerators, AC units, ovens, and garbage disposers.
  • Energy Source-based: these technicians specialize in fixing appliances that use specific energy sources, such as electric-powered, gas-powered, solar-powered, or hybrid/dual-fuel appliances.
  • Size-based: these technicians specialize in fixing large-sized appliances typically found in commercial and industrial facilities.

The average life expectancy of major home appliances (in years) is listed below. Be aware that the make, model, and usage of the appliance will affect its lifespan and durability:

  • Refrigerators: 10 – 13
  • Freezers: 10 -15
  • Washing Machines: 9 - 10
  • Dryers: 10 – 13
  • Dishwashers: 8 – 10
  • Microwave Ovens: 8 – 10
  • Ranges/Oven Hoods: 10 – 16
  • Garbage Disposers: 10 – 12
  • Compactors: 6 – 7

Regardless of how new your appliance may be, some situations demand the attention of professional appliance technicians, such as follows:

  • Abnormal sounds coming from the device
  • The presence of unexplained moisture in or around the appliance
  • Burning smells
  • A noticeable increase in energy consumption when using the machine
  • General appliance malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Mesa?

Appliance repair technicians in Mesa need a state-issued license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to bid for or provide services worth $1,000 or more that involve the following:

  • Heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration appliances like room AC units and freezers
  • Altering electrical wiring
  • Installing, maintaining, and repairing natural gas, propane, and other petroleum or gaseous fuel-powered appliances, like gas cooktops, ranges, and stoves (licensing is always required for this regardless of the total cost of the job)

The specific license classifications, endorsements, and requirements for these technicians vary depending on the scope of services they intend to offer. For instance, appliance repair technicians who wish to repair, service, or maintain refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and any other appliance that contains refrigerants must be certified by an EPA-approved organization.

Hiring a licensed technician to fix your faulty appliance assures you that the repairs will be handled professionally and competently. You can contact the ROC at (602) 542-1525 and (877) 692-9762 to learn more about the licensing requirements for your appliance repair work. You can check if your prospective appliance repair technician has been appropriately licensed by this agency via its Contractor Search portal.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Mesa?

Appliance repairs in Mesa can cost anywhere from $50 - $700; this includes labor fees of about $50 - $150 per hour and the cost of required replacement parts. Other factors that affect appliance repair costs in Mesa include the following:

  • The type, make, and model of the appliance
  • The nature of the problem
  • The urgency of the repair
  • Accessibility to the appliance
  • The appliance's energy source

The following are cost estimates for fixing some common appliances in Mesa:

Refrigerators:
$50 - $450
Freezers:
$105 - $515
Washers:
$50 - $450
Dryers:
$80 - $425
Room AC Units:
$80 - $850
Stoves/Ovens:
$90 - $450
Cooktops:
$80 - $350
Microwaves:
$60 - $370
Dishwashers:
$120 - $300
Garbage Disposals:
$50 - $200
Trash Compactors:
$50 - $235
Water Dispensers:
$55 - $350
Ice Makers:
$125 - $250

You should consider getting and comparing cost estimates for your appliance repair from several technicians before hiring; this helps you get an accurate picture of current market rates and protects you from being taken advantage of by dishonest technicians. However, do not just select the technicians that offer low rates without doing your due diligence; always check that they are qualified, insured, and licensed, if applicable.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification (also known as factory authorization) refers to a designation that professional appliance repair technicians receive from manufacturers to show that they have undergone background checks, received specialized training, and been given the go-ahead to handle advanced or specialized services for the manufacturer's specific line of products. Hiring factory-certified appliance repair technicians may cost a little bit more, but there are various advantages to this, including the following:

  • Warranty protection
  • Direct access to technical and administrative support from appliance manufacturers
  • Assurance that your repairs will be handled by professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in fixing specific appliance brands and who are also up-to-date on the latest diagnostic and repair techniques

Note that not having factory certification does not imply that a technician is inexperienced or unqualified to fix your appliance; some appliance manufacturers only offer factory certification opportunities to a limited number of technicians within an area. Professional appliance repair technicians in Mesa also receive training and certifications from regional trade schools and renowned organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET). Whatever the case, you should always authenticate your preferred appliance repair technician's credentials before committing to their services.

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

You should always confirm that Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts will be used for your repairs when negotiating appliance repair services in Mesa. This is because OEM parts are components produced by the appliance's original manufacturer, and they are generally more high-quality, durable, and appliance-compatible than generic parts (components made by companies other than the original appliance manufacturer). As such, even though OEM parts may cost more than generic ones, using them is the more cost-effective choice in the long term; OEM parts also ensure your appliance's existing warranties aren't voided.

Even though OEM parts should always be your preferred option, you may have to use generic ones when you cannot get the required OEM parts directly from the appliance manufacturer or alternative sources like local supply shops and online marketplaces. Whatever the case (using OEM or generic), always request a warranty from your appliance repair technician that covers their workmanship and materials. Such warranty guarantees that the repair job will be done professionally, competently, and with quality materials.

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

Home warranties are service agreements that cover the cost of repairing or replacing appliances like dryers, washers, ovens, cooktops, and built-in microwaves when they malfunction or break down due to normal wear and tear. This coverage is offered for a predetermined amount of time, typically one year, and is usually renewable annually. However, home warranties should not be confused with home insurance; home insurance covers damages to your home and personal property caused by unexpected events, while home warranties only cover specified appliances.

Even though most home warranties usually only cover problems caused by normal wear and tear, some warranties may offer coverage for damages caused by shoddy maintenance and repairs. Nonetheless, damages caused by pre-existing faults, appliance misuse, and improper installation are usually not covered by home warranties. Therefore, when purchasing a home warranty, thoroughly review its terms and conditions before signing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Mesa Appliance Technician?

Adequate insurance is a vital aspect to consider when hiring appliance technicians; engaging an uninsured technician makes you liable for any sustained injuries or property damage that occurs during or as a direct result of your appliance repair. Therefore, only hire technicians with general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if any. Note that Mesa appliance technicians with state-issued contractor licenses must file a contractor's bond of at least $4,250 - $100,000 with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) (the specific figure is determined by the technician's license classification and contemplated volume of work).

You can confirm that your prospective technicians are adequately insured and bonded by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and authenticating these documents with the appropriate issuers. You can also call the ROC at (602) 542-1525 and (877) 692-9762 for additional information on its bond requirements for state-licensed Mesa appliance technicians.

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Appliance Repair Services in Mesa?

The Arizona Attorney General's Office is Mesa's primary consumer protection agency; you can resolve any issues you have with appliance repair services in the city by contacting this office online. Complaints can also be filed with the Arizona Attorney General's Office by completing and submitting a consumer complaint form via fax to (602)-542-4579, email, or regular mail to the following address:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
2005 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004