Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in St Paul, MN

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Appliance Technician in St. Paul?

St. Paul appliance technicians are skilled individuals who specialize in troubleshooting, servicing, and maintaining home appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, stoves, heat pumps, AC units, dishwashers, ranges, and trash compactors. These technicians typically specialize in at least one of the following types of appliance repair:

• Product-based Repairs: This specialization focuses on appliances from specific manufacturers, like Whirlpool, GE, Maytag, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, and Bosch.
• Appliance-based Repairs: This specialization focuses on specific types of appliances, like ovens, freezers, dishwashers, and washing machines, regardless of the product brand or manufacturer.
• Fuel Source-based Repairs: This specialization focuses on the appliance's fuel or energy source, typically electric, gas, solar, or hybrid/dual-fuel.
• Commercial Appliance Repairs: This specialization focuses on appliances used in commercial and industrial settings.

Average lifespans (in years) of everyday home appliances are provided in the list below (bear in mind that the appliance's make, model, and usage will all have an impact on its actual lifespan):

• 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 is, you should always call a professional appliance technician if you notice any of the following:

• Unusual sounds coming from the appliance
• Unexplained moisture in or around the device
• Burning smells emanating from the appliance
• A noticeable increase in energy consumption when using the machine
• General malfunctions

Seeking the expertise of professionals in these situations ensures that the problem is identified correctly and resolved quickly and effectively. Notice that though there is no occupation-specific license for general appliance repair work in St. Paul, appliance technicians must carry a locally-issued building trades business license to repair heating, cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation appliances.

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in St. Paul?

Appliance repair technicians in St. Paul do not typically need any occupation-specific professional or business licenses to troubleshoot and repair appliances like washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and leaf blowers.

However, technicians who wish to repair, service, or maintain cooling, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation appliances (like heat pumps, room air conditioners, and refrigerators) must obtain an appropriate building trades business license from the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) before doing so.

The requirements for obtaining these locally-issued licenses depend on the technician's intended scope of services but generally involve passing a competency examination and paying stipulated fees. Note that, per federal law, St. Paul appliance technicians whose scope of services includes repairing, servicing, or maintaining refrigerant-containing appliances must also complete Section 608 Certification with an EPA-approved organization.

You can get more information on the required licenses and certifications for St. Paul appliance repair technicians and verify whether your prospective technicians have complied with all relevant requirements by reaching the DSI:

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in St. Paul?

Appliance repairs in St. Paul generally cost between $55 to $755. This includes both the costs of required replacement parts and the technician's labor fees, which typically range from $50 to $150 per hour. Other factors that impact the total cost of appliance repair services in the city include the following:

• The type, make, and model of the appliance
• The nature of the problem
• The urgency of the repair
• Accessibility to the faulty appliance
• Your preferred appliance repair technician's local reputation

Listed below are cost estimates for repairing some common appliances in St. Paul:

Before hiring, it is always a good idea to compare quotes for your required appliance repair services from at least two or three technicians. This prevents dishonest technicians from taking advantage of you and gives you a clear idea of current market rates. You should never base your hiring decision solely on affordable rates; ensure that the technician you select is experienced, insured, and appropriately licensed, if applicable.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification refers to a designation that appliance manufacturers grant to technicians who have been specially vetted, trained, and authorized to provide advanced diagnostic and repair services on the manufacturer's range of products. By choosing a factory-certified technician for your appliance repairs, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Confidence that experienced and well-equipped professionals will handle your repairs
• Access to genuine parts and accessories
• Direct technical and administrative support from your appliance manufacturer
• Warranty protection

It's worth noting that appliance manufacturers sometimes limit the number of technicians they grant factory certification to within a particular area or region. If you cannot find a factory-certified technician for your specific appliance, you can check for technicians who have been certified by reputable appliance repair-related organizations like the following:

• The International Society of Electronics Technicians
• The Professional Service Association
• The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
• The United Appliance Servicers Association

Always verify any credentials your intended technician claims to hold before finalizing hiring agreements with them.

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

When hiring appliance repair technicians in St. Paul, it's important to ensure that the technician you choose prioritizes using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. These parts are specifically manufactured and supplied by the appliance makers themselves. They are more compatible, durable, and have a higher quality than generic parts (made and supplied by third-party companies); using OEM parts also preserves your appliance's warranty. So, even though OEM parts have a slightly higher cost than generic parts, using them saves you money in the long run.

If direct sourcing of OEM parts from the manufacturer, local retailers, or online marketplaces is not possible (usually due to discontinued appliance production), your technician may use generic parts for the repair. Whatever the case, always verify that you will be issued a comprehensive warranty covering both the appliance parts used (whether OEM or generic) and the repair work itself.

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

Home warranties are service contracts that cover the cost of fixing or replacing household appliances like dryers, washers, ovens, cooktops, and built-in microwaves when they malfunction or break down due to normal wear and tear. These contracts differ from home insurance in that they specifically focus on selected appliances, while home insurance offers comprehensive coverage for your entire home and personal belongings.

Standard home warranties are typically valid for about a year, with an annual renewal option. Also, while home warranties usually only cover appliance problems caused by normal wear and tear, some contracts may extend coverage to damages resulting from inadequate maintenance or improper repairs. Be aware that pre-existing faults, appliance misuse, and improper installation are generally not covered by these warranties.

Therefore, before committing, it is advisable to thoroughly review the terms and conditions of any home warranty you are offered. By doing so, you will clearly understand the extent of coverage provided and make an informed decision.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Paul Appliance Technician?

You should always confirm that your prospective appliance technician is fully insured before committing to them; otherwise, you may be held responsible for any injuries or property damage sustained during or directly related to the appliance repair work. While there are no mandatory insurance requirements for general appliance repairs in St. Paul, local technicians who intend to work on cooling, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation appliances must carry general liability insurance with a single combined limit of $500,000 for bodily injury and property damage.

Always request proof of insurance from your intended technician, regardless of the type of appliance that needs fixing, and ensure that the technician's coverage limits are adequate for the scope of the job. You can get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for St. Paul technicians who fix cooling, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation appliances by contacting the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections at (651) 266-8989.