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

It's important to have a professional appliance technician diagnose and fix your malfunctioning appliances; doing otherwise can worsen the problem and be potentially dangerous. When hiring an appliance technician in Santa Ana, you should always consider their area of specialization to ensure that you select one best suited for the repair. Professional appliance technicians typically specialize in at least one of four areas:

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

Brand/product-specific repair technicians specialize in fixing appliances from specific manufacturers like Frigidaire, Bosch, Whirlpool, and Maytag, while appliance-specific repair technicians focus on a particular type of appliance, irrespective of the appliance manufacturer. Energy source-based repair technicians specialize in fixing appliances that use a specific power or fuel source (usually electric, gas, solar, or dual/hybrid), and commercial appliance repair technicians specialize in fixing large appliances used in commercial and industrial settings such as commercial ovens, refrigerators, and freezers.

The list below provides the average lifespans (in years) of commonly used appliances. Notice that your appliance's type, brand, model, and usage will influence its lifespan and how often it may break down.

• 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

Some common scenarios in which you may need to call a professional appliance technician in Santa Ana include the following:

• You notice burning smells coming from the appliance
• There is unexplainable moisture in or around the appliance
• There is a noticeable increase in your energy consumption when you use the device
• General appliance malfunctions

Finally, always confirm that the technician you contact has completed a state-mandated registration process before engaging them.

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Santa Ana?

Appliance repair technicians who wish to conduct business in Santa Ana must first register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). Failure to comply with this mandatory registration requirement is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, jail time of up to six months, or a fine and jail time combination. However, technicians who have been licensed as either electrical or communication and low-voltage systems contractors by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) are exempt from this registration requirement, provided they are working within the scope of their license.

The BHGS offers Santa Ana appliance repair technicians three registration categories, depending on the scope of services they intend to provide:

• Electronic Service Dealer: this category authorizes repair, servicing, and maintenance work on microwaves and electronic devices like televisions, computers, and copiers used for household, personal, or home office purposes.
• Major Home Appliance Service Dealer: this category authorizes repair, servicing, and maintenance work on refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, trash compactors, dishwashers, microwave ovens, ranges, washers, dryers, and other similar appliances used for household, personal, or home office purposes.
• Combination Service Dealer: technicians who register as combination service dealers can provide services authorized by the electronic service dealer and the major home appliance service dealer categories.

Note that appliance repair technicians must complete a separate registration process for each place of business and drop-off location they operate, even if no repairs are performed on-site. Additionally, technicians who work on refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances that contain refrigerants must obtain Section 608 certification from an EPA-approved organization.

It is crucial to verify that an appliance repair technician is properly registered with the BHGS before hiring them. You can do this via the bureau's online license/registry search portal. Suppose your preferred technician claims to be exempt from mandatory registration. In that case, you can confirm that they hold a valid CSLB-issued electrical or communication and low-voltage systems contractor license through this board's Check a License portal.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Santa Ana?

Appliance repair technicians in Santa Ana usually charge an average hourly labor fee of $55 - $100, with total service costs ranging from $60 to $850 or higher. Costs are determined by several factors, including the following:

• The nature of the problem
• The type, brand, and model of the appliance
• The urgency of the situation
• The cost of replacement parts
• Your chosen technician's expertise and local reputation

Here are some cost estimates for repairing common appliances in Santa Ana:

Always compare cost estimates from different appliance repair technicians before hiring; this can help you avoid being overcharged by dishonest technicians. Have technicians examine the faulty appliance before providing an estimate (you may be charged a diagnosis fee for this). Also, obtain a written estimate from your chosen technician and authorize the repair work before they begin.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

When searching for appliance repair services in Santa Ana, it is always a good idea to check for technicians who have been "factory-certified" or "factory-authorized" by your appliance's manufacturer. Factory-certified technicians are trained and approved by appliance manufacturers to provide advanced or specialized repair services on their products. Look at some benefits of hiring these technicians for your appliance repairs:

• They have access to authentic parts and technical and administrative support from manufacturers.
• They are generally more skilled and experienced in handling a wider range of brand-specific repairs than non-certified technicians.
• They guarantee that existing warranties on your appliance are not voided.

If you can't find a factory-certified technician for your appliance repair, you may consider hiring professional technicians who have been certified by renowned 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 hiring an appliance repair technician in Santa Ana, it's important to ask about the types of parts they plan to use for your repair. There are two main types of appliance replacement parts: Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (OEM - made and supplied by the appliance's original manufacturer) and generic parts (made by third parties who may sometimes be affiliated with the appliance's manufacturer). While OEM parts are typically more expensive, they are usually of higher quality, more appliance-compatible, and more durable than generic, making them the best choice for repairs. Using OEM parts also ensures that any existing warranties on your appliance aren't voided.

However, when the technician cannot source the required OEM parts directly from the appliance manufacturer or retail stores and online marketplaces, they have to use generic ones for the repair. This usually happens for discontinued products; professional technicians typically inform clients before doing this. Always confirm that you will receive a warranty covering the repair work and all replacement parts used.

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

Home warranties are service agreements that cover repairing and replacing household appliances malfunctioning due to normal wear and tear. Be aware that home warranties are not the same as home insurance. While the latter covers damages and losses to your home and belongings caused by unexpected events, the former only covers specific appliances such as washing machines, dryers, ranges, stoves, and microwave ovens.

The typical coverage period for home warranties is one year, with an annual renewal option. Depending on the warranty provider, some agreements may also cover appliance malfunctions resulting from poor maintenance or improper repairs. Be aware that standard home warranties do not cover appliance malfunctions and breakdowns caused by pre-existing faults, improper installation, and misuse.

In light of this, ensure that you carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of any home warranty you intend to purchase before signing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Santa Ana Appliance Technician?

While there are no mandatory insurance requirements for appliance technicians in Santa Ana, it's important to ensure that any technician you hire carries general liability insurance (and workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if any). This protects you financially and legally in case on-the-job accidents or injuries occur during the repair. Note that technicians who hold an electrical or communication and low-voltage systems contractor license issued by the California Contractors State License Board must maintain a $25,000 surety bond throughout the validity period of the license.

As such, before finalizing hiring arrangements with any Santa Ana appliance technician, request a copy of their insurance certificate (and bond certificate where necessary) and validate the document with the issuing company.