We’ve all been there, the washing machine has packed in, and you’re worried about the hundreds of pounds you’ll now need to spend on a new model. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Appliance repair services, like D&G, can keep your essential appliances running for longer – giving you peace of mind when something does break.
The key is choosing the best appliance repair service for you. This guide will walk you through how to compare the services, what to look for and any hidden costs that may catch you out.
How to compare appliance repair services
If you’re looking to find the best appliance repair service in the UK, then here are a few things to look at when comparing providers.
Appliance types covered. You’ll want your repair service to cover the type of appliances you have. Most national firms handle all white goods, but some smaller local outfits might specialise only in laundry or refrigeration.
Brand expertise. Extensive repair expertise is essential when choosing a service. For instance, D&G protects 12.3 million appliances globally, including major brands such as Bosch, Samsung, LG and Hotpoint.
Number of engineers. Take a look at how many engineers the service has in its network, as this can determine how quickly your problem will be fixed. National services like D&G or HomeServe have networks of 10,000 and 1,000, respectively, while more local services have a much smaller number of engineers on call.
Cost. Comparing the cost of the service is essential. Check to see if the service has flat rates or hourly charges, whether or not there is an initial call-out fee and if the quote you receive includes genuine manufacturer-approved parts.
Customer reviews. Other customers’ experiences with the repair services matter, as that can give you an indication of what your experience with them will be like. Review sites like Trustpilot are helpful in this situation. For instance, D&G has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 from more than 140,000 customer reviews, which is considered “great”, while Pacifica has a rating of 4.6, which is considered “excellent”, but from only 48,800 reviews.
What to look for in an appliance repair service
What you need to look for in an appliance repair service will depend on which appliances you have and how much you want to pay. However, there are some key areas to keep in mind.
Qualifications. Make sure that your appliance repair engineer is properly qualified. You’ll want to ask about training, certifications and relevant licences. If you’re using a service like D&G, then you can trust that its engineers are experienced and have the required training and qualifications.
Manufacturer approval. It’s also a good idea to see if the technicians are factory-trained for your specific appliance brand, as that will protect warranties and prevent misdiagnosis.
Parts sourcing. Check where they source their parts from. Look out for whether they have an established parts network, like D&G has, as this will help resolve faults quickly and provide better value in the long run.
Pricing options. If you want cost certainty when dealing with appliance breakdowns, then choosing a service like D&G with fixed-price repair options on selected services will help. The main thing is to look for fixed-callout fees or clear hourly rates, even if you choose to use a local service.
Warranties and guarantees. A reputable appliance repair service should guarantee its workmanship and replacement parts for at least 6 to 12 months post-repair.
When to choose between a local or a national repair service
There are different factors at play as to whether to opt for a local or a national appliance repair service.
It generally follows that you’d opt for a national service if your appliance is very new or high tech, as they’d have better diagnostic tools and access to manufacturer fault-code databases. If you’re after fixed prices, then national firms tend to offer one-off fixed fees, and you typically get a multi-year warranty on labour and parts after the repair.
If you need a repair immediately, then a local independent service is likely to be more responsive. Similarly, if you have a standard, older appliance, the parts are universal, cheap and simple, something which a local service can handle more easily. You may also find you can save money on simple fixes like a blocked filter or snapped belt, as a local trader will just charge a smaller call-out or hourly rate for a quick fix, whereas a national company will still charge you their full fixed fee.
Hidden costs of what to watch out for
When looking for an appliance repair service, always hunt down the companies that have clear and transparent pricing; otherwise, you may get caught out by some of these hidden costs:
The no call-out fee trap. While a company may advertise that they don’t charge a call-out fee, in reality, it could be that they don’t charge for the travel, but as soon as they unclip the back of your tumble dryer, they’ll charge you a diagnostic fee. So always check the fine print.
Return-to-fit fee. Engineers rarely have the part for your specific model in their van, so some services will then charge you to come back and fit the part once they have it.
Inflated spare parts. Some companies will have a reasonably low fixed labour fees but then whack the price up on spare parts. Try to get the company to itemise the cost of the parts vs the cost of labour before they order it.
Questions to ask before booking your appliance repair
To avoid being caught out, here are some key questions to ask before booking your appliance repair.
Does this price cover a one-off fix, or am I signing up for a monthly insurance policy?
If you have to order a part and come back a second time, will I be charged an additional fee?
If you diagnose a fault and it’s unrepairable, what exactly do I have to pay?
Is your engineer directly employed by you, and do they have the required safety certifications?
What’s the breakdown of your warranty? Does it cover both parts and labour? And for how long?
Bottom line
At the end of the day, which type of appliance repair service you choose is entirely down to you. A national company, like D&G is best if you want certainty in the quality of service you’re going to receive and the cost, as it has a large network of experienced engineers and fixed-price options. If you need someone quickly and it’s a small fix, then a local service will suit you better.
Frequently asked questions
There’s quite a simple calculation you can do for this one. If the repair cost exceeds half the price of a comparable new appliance, then it’s time to make a change. To better make this decision, it’s best to go for a service which has fixed-price options like D&G, so you know what your costs are going to be.
A standard appliance repair in the UK is typically between £50 and £400. It’s a wide range as repair costs differ depending on what type of appliance is being fixed, the brand of the appliance and therefore the cost of the replacement parts, as well as what the fault is.
Yes, you’ll need to watch out for additional costs for installation and delivery, as well as the disposal of your old appliance.
Using genuine parts means that they maintain manufacturer warranties and there’s less likely to be a software mismatch, which is particularly important if your appliance is a more modern and computerised one.
If your appliance is covered by a manufacturer’s or extended warranty, then the company should offer you a replacement appliance of a similar spec or a cash settlement. You’ll typically only be charged for the initial call-out or diagnostic fee.
This is one of the key questions to ask when booking an appliance repair service. Some repair services include repeat visits in their initial callout fee; others may charge an additional trip or labour fee.
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Kate Steere is an editor and money expert at Finder, specialising in banking, savings and fintech. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run.
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