When one of your appliances is broken, do not rush to get rid of it and buy a new unit. Sometimes, the problem can be fixed and you can make your appliance good as new again. To make sure, you just need to hire someone competent and trustworthy. Here are some tips to help you choose an appliance repairman:

Check Your Manufacturer

When your appliance is broken, the first thing you need to check is the manufacturer’s warranty. If it is still under warranty, then you won’t have to hire a repairman. But if the warranty period is already over, ask your manufacturer whether they offer paid official repair service.

List Some Candidates

You don’t need too many choices of repairmen, but hiring the first repairman you find is not a wise decision. Search on Google or ask your circle to see if there is someone you can consider.

Get Real References

Never fall for “testimonies” posted by the repair service itself. Instead, try getting some real references from the people around you. You can also try visiting internet forums to see if other people have experience with your potential repairman.

License and Insurance

Some specific repair services require licensing and insurance. Without a license, you wouldn’t know if the repairman is competent and trustworthy. Without insurance, you might need to spend extra money if an accident happens with your repairman. Both a license and insurance can save you from unexpected problems in the future.

Expect Quote

Once he understands the problem, a professional repairman will tell you the real cause of your appliance problem. Then, he will give you a quote detailing the kind of service he recommends and how it will cost. If a repairman wants to start working on your appliance without a quote, chances are they are either incompetent or planning a scam.

Don’t Settle for Cheap Service

Comparing prices is necessary. But even though it is important to save your money, choosing your repairman based solely on cost is not a smart move. You may end up getting an incompetent repairman who won’t be much help in fixing your appliance. Or worse, he could be a scam artist.

Timeframe Estimate

Remember that you will have to live your life without the appliance for quite some time while it is getting fixed. You need to know how long it is going to be so you can plan how to get by without it. Also, if a repairman can estimate how long his project will take might have a lot of experience solving this particular problem.

Is There a Service Warranty?

A repairman who offers warranties on his service takes full responsibility for his job. When asking about your warranty, be detailed about it. How long does the warranty last? What does it cover? How do you claim it? Being detailed like this is a great way to avoid a warranty scam.

After your chosen repairman finishes his job, make sure you get tips on how to treat your appliances to avoid similar problems in the future. Even if getting a service is cheaper than buying new appliances, taking good care of them is an even better way to save your money.