Frequently Asked Questions

Appliance repair costs $172 on average, with a typical range of $105 and $240. This includes parts and $50 to $150 per hour for professional service. Although this range includes most common appliance problems, there are several factors that may affect the total.

The reason many parts seem awfully costly these days is because they are, said Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor of Consumer Reports. “Appliances have many more electronic parts and circuit boards than in the past, and these parts can be more expensive than mechanical parts.”

If your machine experiences a “catastrophic failure,” requiring huge expenditures in parts and labor to fix, then it's off to the appliance store you go for a new purchase. You should consider replacing an appliance if the cost to repair it is more than 50 percent of the cost of a new one.

Washing machines, on average, last around 10 years, according to Consumer Reports. If your washer is reaching the threshold, or it's been having some problems, here are some signs the end may be near.

The overall cost, nationwide, to repair a washing machine averages $150 to $300. The average homeowner pays $200 for fixing a bad seal or faulty water level switch, which are both common problems.

If it is a new machine, there lies an argument that if the drum bearings are faulty already, it is probably better to replace it anyway. However, if you do replace the bearings instead, then you're likely to get many more years out of this machine than if it were an older model.

Repair: If your washer is several years younger than its expected lifespan and the repair would cost less than half of the price of a new machine, consider a repair rather than a replacement.

6 signs it's time to replace your washing machine

1. The drum won't spin at the end of the cycle. ...

2. The machine still works but the water hasn't drained. ...

3. It's more noisy than it should be. ...

4. You don't trust it with your clothes. ...

5. It's no longer big enough for your family. ...

6. It's much older than your latest smartphone.

The average life expectancy of a new washing machine is 11 years. Consumer Reports recommends replacing any appliance that's more than eight years old, unless it's a high-end model and has a particular appeal to you. Others suggest replacing any top-loading washer manufactured in 1999 or earlier.

If your washer fills with water but doesn't agitate, the problem is likely to be a faulty lid switch, a broken belt, or a problem with the motor. (Note: Direct-drive washing machines do not have belts.)

The most common reason for a noisy washing machine is that you've overloaded the tub or that the clothes in the tub are unevenly distributed. This causes the inner tub of the washing machine to spin unevenly, often hitting against the outer tub and creating the banging noise.

Repairing an oven is also much cheaper than replacing it, it's better for the environment to reuse your oven for a longer period of time, and buying and installing a new range altogether is often a lengthy, difficult process. Still, there is one factor that would warrant a replacement: its age.

Stoves generally last about 15 years, although they can last longer if you have a gas range. It's fairly easy to tell when your stove needs to be replaced - it will stop heating up evenly and you may have difficulty cooking your food. You shouldn't take any chances when it comes to your stove, as it can be dangerous.

While there's no universal lifespan for every major appliance in your home, most will last anywhere between 10 – 15 years. Even with the best maintenance, most appliances won't function properly past their lifespan, and if you start to notice your appliance acting up, it might be time to replace it.

Stovetop repair costs depend on the type of repair but generally aren't as much as repairing the oven itself. The cost to replace a stove burner coil is $10 to $30. Fixing the underlying electronics or a scratched glass stovetop is significantly more expensive and could be as much as $600.

The cost of an oven runs between $350 and $15,000. Labor and installation charges range between $100 and $200. The cost to have a gas technician install service lines is over $200.

The simple answer is no! If the cooktop has a crack in it, the homeowner should not use the cooktop at all. The smallest of cracks can cause dangerous problems. Electrical shock could occur if food or liquid were to spill over onto the crack.

The best way to deep clean the inside of an oven is with a thick, homemade paste made by mixing 1 cup of baking soda with ½ cup vinegar. Mix your paste in a large bowl and then slather it evenly throughout the oven's interior. Let sit for at least six hours and then remove with a damp sponge.

Grab a small bowl and mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Tweak the ratio until you have a spreadable paste. Put on your gloves and using your fingers, spread the paste around the inside of your oven, covering the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners and crevices.

Spray a little vinegar: Put a little vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz everywhere you still see baking soda residue in your oven. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and gently foam. Do a final wipe-down: Take your damp cloth and wipe out the remaining foamy vinegar-baking soda mixture.

Combine the baking soda and water in a bowl to form a thick paste. Don gloves (if using) and spread paste all over oven surfaces, including the door, being careful to avoid heating element. Leave on overnight (if possible) or at least 20 minutes. Wipe clean with a damp rag, paper towel, or sponge.

When it's cool, spray it with distilled white vinegar and sprinkle baking soda over it. Moisten a towel in hot water and drape it over the baking soda and vinegar. After about 10 minutes, pick up the towel and use it to scrub the stove top clean, rinsing often. Spray more vinegar on the stove top and wipe it again.

Using baking soda and vinegar, scrub the scorch marks, beginning at the outer corner of the mark and working your way inward. After you've scrubbed, rinse the area with warm water to loosen any remaining burnt bits clinging to the surface. Repeat the process until the burn marks are gone.

Disinfect the stove top with a few quick sprays. Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner with Bleach kills 99.9% of common household germs — such as E. coli, Staphylococcus (Staph), Salmonella as well as viruses that can cause colds and flu — in 30 seconds.

Cooktop Installation Costs

National average cost $650

Average range $500-$1,000

Minimum cost $375

Maximum cost $3,000