This is the question behind most of the calls we take, and the answer is more arithmetic than opinion.
The rule
If the repair costs more than half of a comparable new appliance and the unit is past two thirds of its expected service life, replace it. If either half of that is false, repair it.
Two conditions, not one. A cheap repair on an old appliance is still worth doing. An expensive repair on a young one usually is too.
Where the rule gives the wrong answer
Built-in and panel-ready appliances. The replacement has to fit an existing aperture and match the rest of the kitchen. That frequently means cabinetry work, and it moves the real cost of replacing far above the sticker price. On a built-in, repair almost always wins.
Appliances with a long parts warranty still running. Several manufacturers cover sealed systems or drive motors for ten years. If the failed component is under that warranty, the arithmetic changes completely, and it is worth checking before anybody quotes you.
A second fault on the way. If a machine has already needed two significant repairs, a third is usually not far off. We say so when we see it.
Anything under a manufacturer warranty. Obvious, and missed surprisingly often. Check the paperwork before booking a paid repair.
What replacement really costs
Not just the appliance. Delivery, installation, disposal of the old unit, and occasionally an electrical or plumbing change to suit the new one. A like-for-like swap is rarely as like-for-like as the showroom implies.
What we will tell you
The honest answer, even when it costs us the job. It is the reason people call us back, and it is why the starting prices are published on our pricing page rather than kept for the doorstep.
Call 847-941-0334 if you want that conversation before booking anything.
