How to Find a Qualified Appliance Repair Technician

Whether you're a savvy restaurant manager, laundromat owner, or average homeowner, chances are, your day-to-day routine relies heavily on the proper function of several major appliances. From washers and dryers to refrigerators and air conditioners, appliances aren't just great for convenience--they also add comfort and efficiency to your lifestyle or business operation. That's why an ineffective or malfunctioning unit can pose a serious problem. You obviously don't want to spend heaps of money on the purchase of a brand-new unit, but you also don't want to hire the first appliance repairman you find on the street. So, what do you do?

You have several options if you're considering hiring an appliance specialist to take care of a dishwasher, fridge, garbage disposal, or any other ailing unit. Most of the time, the Better Business Bureau will provide you with a good indication of how reliable a given company is. The BBB will be able to alert you to any major grievances against the company, so you'll know ahead of time whether they have the amount of professionalism or integrity you seek. However, some of the most talented appliance repair services are provided by small-time, local handymen who may not be registered with the BBB, so relying solely on the Bureau's rating is not always sufficient.

Instead, you might want to take a look around the Internet. If you're able to find the Web site of a nearby appliance repair company, poke around. First, pay attention to the list of major appliance repair services that they offer. Any repair specialist worth their salt will offer repairs on most, if not all, of the following appliances:

• Dishwashers


• Refrigerators


• Freezers


• Ice makers


• Wine coolers


• Ovens


• Stoves and cooktops


• Over-the-range microwaves


• Washing machines


• Dryers


• Garbage disposals


• Trash compactors

If the company is available for a majority of the above services, move on to other information about their technicians. Are they licensed, bonded, or insured? How many years of experience do they have? Is it a family-owned operation? Any information you can get about their background and certifications will help you predict the quality of their services. If they belong to an industry-related association or are certified by a specific manufacturer, you can rest assured they will be able to provide high-quality dishwasher repair, refrigerator repair, dryer repair, and more.

Of course, you can also check to see which makes and models they are willing to repair. If they only offer major appliance repair services for a small number of brands, that could mean they're more specialized than other companies--just make sure the brand of your particular washer or trash compactor is listed. Additionally, verify that your service call fee will be waived once the refrigerator repair or air conditioner repair is completed. This will usually be a good indication that the business owner prioritizes customer service and satisfaction.

No matter what you find on the company's Web site, there's no substitute for personal contact. If you're unsure about a company, simply dial their number and speak directly with one of their appliance repair technicians. You'll be able to get a good sense of who you're dealing with by simply chatting with them and developing a friendly rapport. Whatever you do, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Most small service providers are honest, hard-working individuals who want to do right by their customers.