Appliance repair
When a household appliance stops working, a little observation can help explain the fault. Read safe maintenance tips and learn when to contact a repair specialist or manufacturer.
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Appliance repair guides
Costs, emergencies, how to choose a trade, seasonal timing and what landlords and tenants are each responsible for.
Appliance repair · Buckinghamshire
Appliance repair cost in Buckinghamshire: what moves the price
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Appliance repair · Guildford
Urgent washing machine repair in Guildford: the first hour
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Appliance repair · Woking
How to choose appliance repair engineers in Woking
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Appliance repair · Birmingham
Dishwasher repair in Birmingham: checks to make before you call
A dishwasher that will not drain or start is often not broken. Run these safe checks first, note the error code, and have the…
Appliance repair · Manchester
Appliance repair in Manchester: getting through a wet winter
Wet winters work tumble dryers and washing machines hard. A seasonal maintenance guide for Manchester homes, with the faults to expect month by month…
Appliance repair · London
Washing machine repair in London: why machines stop draining
The drum is full, the door is locked and the display shows a drain error. An explainer on what has gone wrong, what the…
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Appliance repair explained
Appliance repair covers the machines a household cannot easily do without. The common jobs are washing machines that will not spin, drain or finish a cycle, and tumble dryers that run cold. Ovens and hobs lose elements, thermostats and ignition. Fridges and freezers ice up, run warm or run constantly. Dishwashers leak or leave dishes dirty. Engineers also handle integrated units and new installation.
Check your cover first. Most appliances carry a manufacturer warranty of one or two years. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 also lets you claim against the retailer, for up to six years in England and Wales and five in Scotland. If you are paying, a fair rule of thumb is to replace once the quote passes half the price of a like for like machine. Age counts too, and most washing machines are not worth saving past eight years.
Freestanding machines are the cheapest to work on, because the engineer can pull them out and reach the back. Integrated ovens, fridges and dishwashers sit behind cabinet doors and fixed worktops, so expect extra labour to unfasten, slide out and refit the unit. Parts matter just as much. UK ecodesign rules oblige makers to keep key spares available to professional repairers for years, but older and discontinued models still run out.
What moves the price
- Call out and diagnostic fee
- Most independent engineers charge £60 to £100 to attend and diagnose, nearer £90 to £130 in London, and many credit it against the repair.
- The appliance and the fault
- A pump, element or thermostat is commonly £90 to £180 fitted, while a control board, drum bearing or sealed system runs £200 to £350.
- Part cost and availability
- Spares for a current model are cheaper and arrive within days, while parts for a discontinued model cost more and can take weeks.
- Integrated or freestanding fitting
- Taking an integrated oven, fridge or dishwasher out of a fitted kitchen and refitting it usually adds £40 to £90 of labour.
- Gas, refrigerant and urgent visits
- Gas Safe registered cooker work and F gas refrigerant jobs start nearer £90 to £140 for the first hour, and evening or weekend visits add more.
Figures are indicative typical ranges for the UK, not quotes. Always get written quotes before work starts.
Before you enquire
- Find the model and serial number on the rating plate before you call.
- Note the error code, any noise or smell, and when the fault started.
- Dig out the receipt and warranty, since the retailer may still be liable.
- Ask whether the call out fee comes off the bill, and how long the repair is guaranteed.
Common questions
How much does appliance repair cost in the UK?
Most domestic repairs land between £100 and £250 all in, covering the call out, the labour and one common part. Attending and diagnosing on its own is usually £60 to £100, and many engineers credit that against the repair. Bigger jobs such as a drum bearing, a control board or a sealed system reach £200 to £350. These are indicative typical ranges rather than quotes.
Is it worth repairing a washing machine or should I buy a new one?
Compare the quote with a like for like replacement, which starts around £280 for a basic machine and £450 to £650 for a mid range one. If the repair costs more than half of that, replacement usually wins. Age matters as much as price, and a machine over eight years old tends to fail again within a year or two. A cheap part on a four year old machine is almost always worth doing.
My appliance broke just after the warranty ended, do I have any rights?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is separate from the manufacturer warranty, and your claim is against the retailer who sold you the appliance. You can bring it for up to six years in England and Wales, or five years in Scotland. After the first six months the burden of proof sits with you, so you have to show the appliance was faulty or not durable enough at the point of sale. An engineer's written diagnosis is usually the evidence that settles it.
Who pays for appliance repairs in a rented home, the landlord or the tenant?
An appliance supplied with the property stays the landlord's, and most tenancy agreements make the landlord responsible for keeping it working. Report the fault in writing and keep the reply, because that record matters if the repair drags on. A tenant pays only for damage they caused, or for an appliance they brought themselves. Separately, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require landlords to have gas cookers checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Local appliance repair guides
The same service, written for where you live: typical local prices, the housing stock and the trades that cover it.