Repair or Replace? Free Appliance Calculator

1. Which appliance?

2. How old is it? (years)

3. Repair quote (USD)

How this calculator decides

Three factors, weighed together:

The 50% rule. If the repair costs more than half of a comparable replacement, replacing usually wins.
Remaining life. Every appliance category has a typical service life. A repair that buys eight more years is a very different purchase from one that buys eighteen months.
Cost per remaining year. The most useful number of all — what you pay, divided by the years of service you realistically get back. This is compared against the same figure for a new unit.

The calculator shows you all three so you can see why it landed where it did, and override it if you know something it doesn't — a machine you love, a kitchen you're remodeling next year, a fault that has already recurred twice.

Average service life by appliance

Appliance	Typical life	Replacement cost
Refrigerator (standard)	13 yrs	$700–$2,500
Refrigerator (built-in)	15 yrs	$4,000–$12,000
Freezer (chest / upright)	12 yrs	$400–$1,500
Washing machine	11 yrs	$600–$1,800
Clothes dryer	13 yrs	$550–$1,600
Dishwasher	10 yrs	$500–$1,600
Range / stove (freestanding)	15 yrs	$700–$2,500
Cooktop	15 yrs	$600–$2,200
Wall oven	16 yrs	$1,200–$4,000
Microwave (over-the-range)	9 yrs	$300–$900
Ice machine (residential)	8 yrs	$1,200–$3,500

Service-life figures follow industry averages published for home components; replacement ranges reflect typical US retail pricing for a comparable mid-range unit. Your own numbers will vary with brand, features and installation.

When repair is almost always the right call

The appliance is under half its expected life and the fault is a wear part — pump, belt, heating element, igniter, door seal, thermostat
It's a built-in or premium unit, where replacement means cabinetry work as well as the appliance
The quote is under a quarter of replacement cost

When replacement usually wins

The failure is in the sealed system, compressor, or main control board on a unit past three-quarters of its life
This is the third significant repair in two years
The quote exceeds half of replacement, and the appliance is beyond its average life

Not sure what's actually wrong?

A diagnosis costs a lot less than guessing. We'll tell you what failed and what it takes to fix — then you can run the numbers above with real figures.

📞 (346) 646-4204 Book online

Common questions

What is the 50% rule for appliance repair?

The 50% rule is a common guideline: if a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, replacement usually makes more financial sense. It works best when combined with the appliance's age — a $400 repair on a two-year-old washer is very different from the same repair on a ten-year-old one.

How long do home appliances actually last?

Typical service life runs from about 9 years for an over-the-range microwave to roughly 15–16 years for a wall oven or freestanding range. Refrigerators average around 13 years, washers about 11, and dishwashers about 10. Heavy use, hard water and deferred maintenance shorten these figures; light use and regular cleaning extend them.

Is it worth repairing an appliance that is out of warranty?

Often yes. Many common faults — a heating element, a drain pump, a door seal, a thermostat — cost far less to fix than replacing the whole unit, and they restore years of service. The calculation changes when the failed part is the compressor, the sealed system or the main control board on an older machine.

Does a more expensive appliance change the math?

Yes. Built-in and premium units cost several times more to replace, so a repair that looks expensive in absolute terms can still be the clearly cheaper option. That is why this calculator asks for your appliance category rather than treating every fridge the same.

Repair or Replace Calculator