Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Bakersfield, CA

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Appliance Technician in Bakersfield?

Malfunctioning appliances like refrigerators, room air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, trash compactors, cooktops, and ovens should always be diagnosed and fixed by professional appliance technicians. Never attempt these repairs on your own. In Bakersfield, these technicians must complete a state-mandated registration process before conducting business locally. Bakersfield appliance technicians usually specialize in different areas, which you should consider before hiring them. These specializations include:

• Brand/product-specific repair
• Appliance-specific repair
• Energy source-based repair
• Commercial repair

Brand/product-specific technicians fix appliances from specific manufacturers, like Frigidaire, Bosch, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool. In contrast, appliance-specific technicians focus on a particular type of appliance, like refrigerators or microwave ovens, regardless of the manufacturer. Likewise, energy source-based technicians typically fix appliances that utilize a specific power/fuel source (which can be electric, gas, solar, or dual/hybrid), while commercial appliance repair technicians fix large appliances like commercial ovens, refrigerators, and freezers, commonly used in commercial and industrial settings.

The list below provides the average lifespan of common appliances in Bakersfield homes and businesses. The actual lifespan of your appliance depends on several factors, including its brand, model, and usage:

• 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
• Trash Compactors: 6 – 7
• Room AC Units: 9 - 11
• Dehumidifiers: 7 - 8

If you experience the following issues with your home appliances, it's best to call on a professional appliance technician:

• Burning smells
• Unusual noises
• Unexplainable moisture in or around the appliance
• Higher energy bills
• General malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Bakersfield?

Appliance repair technicians in Bakersfield must register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) before legally offering their services in the city. These technicians have the option of registering under one of three categories based on the appliances they repair, service, or maintain:

• Electronic Service Dealer: This category authorizes work on electronic devices such as microwave ovens, televisions, and computers for household, personal, or home office purposes.
• Major Home Appliance Service Dealer: This category authorizes work on refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, trash compactors, dishwashers, microwave ovens, ranges, washers, dryers, and other similar appliances that are intended for personal, family, household, or home office use.
• Combination Service Dealer: This category combines the services authorized under the Electronic Service Dealer and the Major Home Appliance Service Dealer registration options.

Technicians with multiple business sites or drop-off locations must complete a separate registration process for each location, even if no repairs are done on-site. In addition, technicians who work on appliances containing refrigerants must hold a Section 608 Certification from an EPA-approved organization.

Offering or performing appliance repair work in Bakersfield without proper state registration is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, jail time of up to six months, or both. However, technicians who hold a state-issued electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) are generally exempt from this registration if their offered services are within the scope of their licenses.

You can check if your preferred appliance repair technician has registered with the BHGS through its license/registry search tool. If the technician claims exemption due to holding a state-issued electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractor license, you can verify this claim through the CSLB's Check a License tool.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Bakersfield?

Regarding appliance repairs in Bakersfield, you can expect to pay your technician an average of $50 - $100 per hour as labor fees, with overall costs rounding out to anywhere between $55 and $600 or higher. These overall costs are typically influenced by factors like:

• The nature of the problem
• The make and model of the appliance
• The urgency of the situation
• The cost of replacement parts, if needed
• Your preferred technician's level of experience and local reputation

Listed below are cost estimates for repairing some common household appliances in Bakersfield:

Comparing cost estimates from different appliance repair technicians is an effective strategy to avoid being overcharged by unscrupulous technicians. However, ensure these technicians examine the appliance before giving an estimate (some may charge extra for this service). Also, get a written estimate from your chosen technician and authorize the repair before they begin any work.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

The term "factory-certified" or "factory-authorized" for appliance repairs refers to technicians specifically trained and authorized by an appliance manufacturer to provide specialized repair and maintenance services for their products.

Hiring factory-certified technicians for your appliance repair is always a good idea, as these professionals typically have extensive knowledge and experience in troubleshooting and fixing appliance malfunctions. Factory-certified technicians generally charge higher rates than non-certified technicians; however, benefits like professional service delivery, access to genuine manufacturer components and support, and warranty protection greatly outweigh this extra cost.

Suppose you cannot get a factory-certified technician for your repair. Consider technicians with training and certification from reputable regional trade schools and appliance repair associations like the International Society of Electronics Technicians and the United Appliance Servicers Association.

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

When searching for appliance repair services in Bakersfield, confirming your preferred technicians will use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts is important. OEM parts are components and accessories made by the original appliance manufacturer and are usually better quality, more durable, and compatible with the appliance than generic parts; using OEM parts also protects existing warranties on your appliance.

However, if the required OEM parts cannot be sourced (either from the appliance manufacturer, approved retailers, or online stores), your technician may have to use generic parts for the repair. Whatever the situation, ensure the technician provides you with a warranty that covers their workmanship and all replacement parts used.

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

Home warranties are service contracts that provide coverage for repairing or replacing appliances that have failed due to normal wear and tear. Be aware that home warranties are different from home insurance. The latter generally covers damages and losses to your home and its contents caused by unexpected events. However, the former usually only covers specific appliances, like washing machines, dryers, stoves, and ranges.

Most home warranties' coverage period usually lasts one year, with an annual renewal option. Depending on the warranty provider, appliance malfunctions caused by poor maintenance or improper appliance repair may also be covered. However, most standard home warranties do not cover damages resulting from the following:

• Pre-existing faults
• Improper appliance installation
• Appliance misuse

Therefore, review the terms and conditions of any home warranty you are considering before purchasing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Bakersfield Appliance Technician?

Although it is not mandatory for Bakersfield appliance technicians to have general liability insurance, ensure you hire someone who has this coverage. This type of insurance protects any injuries or damages that may occur during the repair process.

Bakersfield appliance technicians licensed as electrical or low-voltage communications systems contractors by the California Contractors State License Board are required to maintain a $25,000 surety bond throughout the validity period of these licenses.

Always request proof of liability insurance coverage and bonding (if applicable) from prospective appliance technicians before concluding hiring agreements with them. If you are considering hiring an appliance repair firm, ask for proof of workers' compensation coverage for their employees.