When you type “appliance repair technician near me” into your search engine of choice, the options can be overwhelming. This means you must identify a trusted company in your local area. These tips will help you narrow down your options so that you can get your appliance back up and running as soon as possible.
#1 Get Referrals From Trusted Sources
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Begin by asking people you know and trust who they have hired. From your friends to your family and your neighbors. Be specific, asking what it is they liked about the company. This will provide you with the peace of mind that you are making a sound investment.
Focus on factors such as:
- Professional
- Courteous
- On-Time
- Knowledgeable
- Licensed & Certified
- Swift with Repairs
#2 Check Their Online Reviews
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If you don’t have anyone local you can ask, or if you want a few more options, head online. Search on both nationwide and local lists such as:
- Yelp
- Angi
- Nextdoor
- And more
Don’t just focus on the number of stars they have, but on what reviewers have to say. It’s ok if they have a few negative reviews, as you can’t please everyone. However, their reviews should be overwhelmingly positive.
It’s also ok if the company is new, as we must all start somewhere! Keep in mind that most new companies are launched by tenured technicians who have multiple years of experience under their belt and decided to branch out on their own.
#3 Explore Their Range of Services
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You may be in need of a specific repair but take a few minutes to look at their full range of services. Ensure the appliance repair technician you are considering can service and repair all standard home appliances and all major brands—or at least the brands and appliances you own. If applicable, also check to see if they repair commercial appliances.
Appliances to consider include:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Stovetops/Cooktops
- Oven/Range
- Downdraft Repairs
- Range Hoods
- Standard Washing Machines
- Dryers
- All-In-One Washer Dryers
- Stackable Washer Dryers
- Dishwasher
- Garbage Disposals
- Ice Machines
- Microwaves
#4 Ensure Their Availability Works For Your Schedule
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You are searching for someone you can easily book in your schedule, including evenings and weekends. Also, someone you can call when a last-minute need arises.
While they may charge different rates for late-night and weekend repairs, most technicians will offer same-day and emergency services. Some even offer holiday services.
#5 Transparent and Communicative
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Look and listen for signs of transparency and quality communication when reading their online reviews and after you hire them. That being said, you can’t expect your technician to be a mind reader. For example, they can’t tell you what is wrong before they arrive.
A few clues they are transparent and communicative include:
- They explained what was wrong and advised on repair or upgrade.
- If your appliance is still under warranty, they advised on the warranty process.
- They understand the diagnostic reading, and double-checked to visually confirm.
- They charged what they quoted, or nominally more.
- They were up front regarding whether they may need to order a part.
- The time estimate for repair and/or part delivery was accurate.
#6 Budget-Friendly
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Just like when having work done on your home, you may want to request a few phone, email, or text quotes before you hire an appliance repair technician. That being said, you need your appliance repaired as soon as possible, so you may not have time to shop around.
Again, your technician can’t determine what is wrong until they arrive—but you can ask questions regarding their hourly rate and ballpark range. Just don’t forget that their price is a ballpark range, not an assured quote.
Your technician won’t begin the full repair until they have approved the price with you. Even if you don’t hire them for the repair, you will be charged for their service visit.
#7 Professional & Courteous
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You aren’t just looking for a technician, but someone you are comfortable welcoming into your home or business. They should introduce themselves when they arrive, be friendly, and understanding of the inconvenience of a broken appliance.
They should also respect your personal requests, such as wearing foot booties in the house and keeping the front door shut so that pets don’t pop outside.
#8 Tech-Savvy and Manual Savvy
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Our appliances have advanced electronics built in. Many are designed to self-diagnose and they are often connected to our smart home systems. A reputable technician will be up to date with current electronics and smart home diagnostics. They will also know how to manually inspect your appliances in case the electronics control board is malfunctioning.
If you have older appliances, they’ll know how to repair those too.
#9 Proactive Maintenance Scheduling
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Your appliance repair technician wants to minimize your emergency repair needs. This means that in addition to your current repair, they will advise on your ongoing maintenance schedule.
Your appliances are likely to vary in age, but they will suggest a preventative maintenance schedule. For homeowners, this is typically once per year for all appliances. For commercial needs, the schedule will vary by appliance and frequency of use.
#10 Service Guarantee
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Unless it is crystal clear that they are providing a band-aid service to extend the life of an aging appliance, your technician will guarantee the parts they supply and the quality of their work.
This means that if your appliance continues to malfunction, they will come back and make it right free of charge.
Again, if your technician suggests a new appliance and you opt for a band-aid, they can’t guarantee their work or how much longer your appliance will last.
Appliance Repair Technician Near Me in Santa Barbara
If you found your way to this article because you are in need of preventive appliance maintenance or last-minute repair—we invite you to call, text, or book online with Superior Appliance Repair.
We are a full-service team of tenured, licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. Our service vehicles are stocked with most parts required to repair the top brands and appliances. Book now!
