Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in San Antonio, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in San Antonio

Repairing your faculty home appliances in San Antonio can be cheaper than a replacement if you hire a good appliance repair service in the city to complete the job. The average cost of repairing a faulty refrigerator, dryer, stove, washer, or garbage disposal in San Antonio is $233. However, you may end up paying far more than this fee, if you void your appliance warranty or cause further damage to the appliance necessitating buying a new replacement.

Hiring a repairman with the proper skills and experience will save you from these liabilities and help restore your equipment to full life. As such, before you hire a repairman in the city, it is essential that you thoroughly ascertain they are the right fit for the job by asking the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in San Antonio?

In San Antonio, appliance repairmen do not usually require a license to provide their services. However, they must obtain a state-issued Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) if they offer refrigeration and air conditioning repair services. When an individual provides refrigeration services in San Antonio without a license, it is considered a criminal offense, and they could be fined up to $5,000.

Individuals who wish to operate as refrigeration and air conditioning contractors must fill out and submit an application form to TDLR via mail to the address indicated on the top of the form. To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet various eligibility criteria. These include:

  • Submitting verifiable proof of their educational and work experience.
  • Passing a licensing examination
  • Paying all applicable licensing fees
  • Providing proof of insurance coverage

Residential appliance repairmen in San Antonio who wish to offer residential appliance installation services to residents must obtain a license from the TDLR. This license can be obtained by completing a Residential Appliance Installer License Application Form and submitting it along with the applicable fee to the department's address provided in the form. Before they can be licensed, these individuals must pass a licensing examination. Where business offers residential appliance installation services, they must apply for a separate Residential Appliance Installation Contractor License. The business must have an employee licensed as a residential appliance installer with the appropriate insurance coverage on records before being issued this license.

You can check the validity of your appliance's intended repairman license via TDLR's online License Data Search tool. For more information regarding the state-issued license requirements, contact the Texas Department of Licenses and Regulations (TDLR) at 800 803-9202 if you are within Texas. For callers outside Texas, contact 512 463-6599.

Note that the EPA requires that certain appliance repairmen have the necessary EPA certification before working on certain types of equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, and any other appliances or equipment that contain refrigerants.

Although San Antonio residents do not require occupational licenses to work as appliance repairmen, some still obtain professional certifications through trade associations like the International Society of Electronics Technicians and the Professional Service Association. Individuals who receive these certifications have the necessary skills and experience to deliver the best possible service. You should always verify the certifications of the person you intend to hire to repair your appliances by contacting the organization directly.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in San Antonio?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, an appliance repairman in San Antonio can earn over $22 an hour. However, this doesn't mean that the total cost of repairs will be the same. Various factors can affect the cost of repairs in the area:

  • The scope of the problem
  • The type and brand of appliance
  • The extent of damage to the appliance
  • The power source of the appliance

Before you hire a professional appliance repairman, it is important that you get and compare multiple quotes from different repairmen near you. Doing so will allow you to get a fair idea of the repairs' cost and help you identify potential overchargers. You must ensure the repairman inspects the appliance before they give you their quotes

Appliance repairmen in San Antonio earn an average annual wage of $47,000. Provided below is a comparison of the average hourly wage for appliance repair men in San Antonio with those of these technicians in other areas of the State of Texas and several other locations across the United States:

San Antonio Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.59
Texas Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.78
Houston Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.60
Chicago Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$17.16
Los Angeles Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.44
New York City Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$27.05
Philadelphia Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.40
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in San Antonio?

Having factory certification is important when hiring a skilled technician to handle repairs on major appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and microwaves. This type of certification means they have received the necessary training from the appliance manufacturer to perform their duties properly. Aside from this, they also receive regular training on new models and brands of equipment. Other reasons why t is advisable to hire a factory-certified appliance repairman include:

  • This certification allows the technicians to access the latest and authentic parts for various appliances.
  • They ensure that the terms and conditions of the manufacturer's warranty are not violated.
  • Aside from receiving technical support from the manufacturer, the technicians also receive administrative support from the company.

Even though hiring a factory-certified repairman can be more expensive than hiring a non-certified technician, hiring a factory-certified repair service in San Antonio is still beneficial. Doing so will minimize the risks associated with working with inexperienced individuals. It can also help you avoid getting stuck with a faulty appliance that will eventually cause more damage.

In some cases, you might not be able to find a factory-certified repair service for your specific brand or type of appliance. This means that you need to hire an experienced and skilled technician. You must ensure that the repairman you hire has the necessary skills and experience to handle the repairs. Also, they must be able to provide you with the latest and authentic components.

Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?

Over time, many of the components and accessories that come with modern appliances, such as fridges, microwaves, and ovens, can fail, reducing their efficiency and preventing them from working properly. It's important that the technician that you hire uses the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) parts when replacing these components.

An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part is a component or part that's made by the manufacturer of the appliance that you're replacing. In comparison, a generic component or part is made by a company that is not the appliance's original manufacturer. It is important to use the original equipment manufacturer's parts when performing repairs for the following reasons:

  • OEM components come from an appliance manufacturer and are typically higher quality than those made by a generic company. They are often the better choice for replacing damaged or missing components.
  • OEM components are durable, and they are often the better choice than those made by a generic company.
  • OEM parts ensure that your appliance's warranty is protected.

Although, in some cases, it's also possible to use generic components for your appliance repair because the original equipment manufacturer's production has stopped. This usually means that the parts can't be obtained from local suppliers or online marketplaces. A professional appliance repairman will typically inform you about this and ask for your permission to use generic parts.

Before you hire a professional appliance repairman in San Antonio, make sure that you ask for a warranty for the parts that they are using for the repair. Repairmen typically issue a manufacturer's and workmanship warranty, which guarantees that the work was performed properly. While some repairmen may offer verbal warranties, it's essential to make sure that the terms and conditions of the contract are written.

What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?

In San Antonio, there is a wide range of services performed by appliance repair companies. Some of these include installing and repairing microwaves and electric appliances and the maintenance and repairs of washing machines and refrigerators. Before you hire an appliance repairman in San Antonio, such an individual must have the necessary skills and experience to handle the specific brand of appliance that you own. It is also important that you know the exact cost of the service that the repairman will charge before you finalize any contract.

The list below provides cost estimates for common services that professional appliance repair men in San Antonio offer to interested parties:

Central vacuum system installation
$1,409 - $2,092 (for existing typical four-bedroom home)
Dishwasher repair
$110.50 - $184.50
Dishwasher water and drain line installation
$110 - $127
Dryer repair
$108 - $180
Electrical appliance installation
$106 - $145 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Garbage disposal unit repair/installation
$296 - $374
Gas appliance installation
$98 - $198 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Ice maker water line installation
$103 - $152
Kitchen hood repair
$96 - $194 (labor only)
Microwave oven installation
$108 - $120 (labor only, for basic microwave installation)
Microwave oven repair
$110 - $185
Refrigerator water line installation
$108- $158
Washer repair
$108 - $183
Stove repair
$98 - $218 (labor only)
Refrigerator repair
$106 - $194 (labor only)

How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?

Even after following certain steps, such as hiring a factory-certified technician, it is still possible that you will end up with unsatisfactory service. If caught in this situation, it is essential to contact the appliance technician that performed the work. They will most likely try to resolve the issue by either re-doing the job or giving you a partial or complete refund.

Alternatively, you can contact third-party agencies to resolve the issue if you believe that the service provided by the repairman was not satisfactory. You can contact the Texas Attorney General's Office or the Better Business Bureau. These agencies are tasked with protecting consumers from fraudulent and deceptive practices. You can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office by contacting its consumer protection hotline at 1-800-621-0508 or by filing a complaint online. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau's regional office in San Antonio at:

13750 San Pedro Avenue
Suite 400,
San Antonio, TX 78232
Phone: (844) 477-1099

Although these agencies can help individuals, they do not guarantee monetary compensation for damages incurred or help them recover other forms of personal remedy. To this end, you can file legal action against the repairman to seek personal remedies. You can file an action at the small claims division of the Bexar County Justice of the Peace if the amount in dispute is not more than $20,000. If the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000, you can file an action in another appropriate court. Before starting any legal action, it is essential that you consult with a licensed attorney to advise you on the available legal options. You can find attorneys vast in consumer protection through the lawyer referral service of the San Antonio Bar Association.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in San Antonio?

Hiring a repairman with the proper insurance coverage is very important to ensure that you are protected against financial and legal liabilities that can be incurred from work-related injuries or property damages. Having a well-trained and insured technician can help minimize the risk of injury and damage to property.

In San Antonio, there are no insurance requirements for appliance repairmen. However, they are still required to follow certain insurance requirements to obtain state-issued licenses, which allow them to offer residential and refrigeration repair work. These include:

  • A minimum liability insurance coverage of $300,000 for each occurrence
  • A minimum of $600,000 aggregate for property damage and bodily injury coverage.
  • Minimum liability insurance of $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operation

If the job you're planning on hiring the repairman for requires a state-issued license, ensure that the repairman has the proper insurance coverage. You can also request a copy of the technician's insurance certificate and ensure you authenticate the certificate with the insurance carrier. You can also get more information about the insurance requirements for licensed appliance repairmen by calling the Texas Department of State Regulation and Licensing (TDLR) at (800) 803-9202, and callers outside the State of Texas can call TDLR at 512-463-6599.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in San Antonio

In November 2021, local news station KSAT reported that a resident filed a police report accusing a San Antonio-area contractor of theft of $26,000, which was paid to the contractor to carry out home repairs. According to the resident, the contractor lied about replacing faulty equipment, which was discovered to be untrue after the resident hired another contractor to repair the same fault.

When looking for a reliable and experienced appliance repairman in San Antonio, it is vital that you thoroughly research the individual to ensure they can handle the job properly. Aside from this, you should take some precautionary steps to avoid falling victim to conmen posing as repairmen. These include:

  • Request for referrals from your appliance manufacturer to see if they have factory-certified technicians in your area. You can also find reviews and testimonials about these individuals on websites like the Better Business Bureau and Google Review.
  • Make sure you verify the license of your intended repairman if they are carrying out repairs on refrigerators or installing appliances. This ensures that they are authorized to carry out such repair or installation.
  • Avoid paying upfront for the service if you have to pay the repairman, only a fraction of the total cost of service.
  • Ensure the repairman takes your approval before buying any parts and always requests to see the defective parts being replaced.
  • Ask for a warranty that covers both the repair work and the purchase of the new parts. Ensure you read all the applicable terms and conditions of these warranties to ensure you are not getting ripped off.
  • Make sure that you get multiple quotes from different repairmen to allow you to compare their prices and ensure that you are getting the best deal.

It is estimated that the Texas Attorney General's Office handles thousands of consumer fraud-related cases every year. As such, if you have a complaint against a repairman in San Antonio, you can file complaints with the Attorney General's Office by calling its consumer protection hotline at 1-800-621-0508. You can also file a complaint by filling out a consumer complaint form online or by mailing a completed pdf consumer complaint form to the address indicated at the bottom of the form.