Vacuums are electrical driven systems that should be handled by trained technicians when faulty. Attempting to fix a damaged vacuum cleaner on your own can cause further damages and even lead to electrical fires. Annually, home electrical fires account for about 51,000 fire incidents, with more than 1,400 injuries, 500 deaths, and property damage worth $1.3 billion. In 2018 alone, the United States Fire Administration recorded that home appliances, including vacuums, accounted for 6.2% of residential building fires resulting in injuries. Without knowing the extent and nature of the damage to your vacuum, the risk of an electrical hazard far outweighs the savings on a DIY repair. Surely, hiring a vacuum repair expert near you will not only save you from unforeseen accidents but also preserve the integrity of your appliance for a replacement warranty. The following questions will help you determine the best vacuum repair expert to hire near you.
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Are You a Licensed Vacuum Repair Expert?
Licensure requirements for vacuum repair experts to practice vary across states. Licensing may also depend on the type of vacuum system. However, your vacuum maintenance technician will require at least a general contractor license to work in your state, county, or city. States like California and Connecticut demand a limited energy systems specialty license to work on central vacuum systems, while New York has no licensure requirements for vacuum repair experts. Contact your state licensing department or the local consumer protection agency to determine the licensing requirements for vacuum maintenance technicians near you .
It is also common for professional vacuum repair experts to hold some form of certification as a proof of skill. Request to see a copy of your contractor's license or certification. You may contact the licensing agency to validate the currency of your vacuum expert's license and the certifying organization to verify their membership status.
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Are You Bonded and Insured?
Like all technicians, home appliance repairers also suffer casualties on the job. In 2019 alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 620 nonfatal occupational injuries and 3 work-related fatalities among home appliance contractors. As such, hiring a bonded and insured vacuum repair expert is critical to prevent you from suffering financial liabilities beyond the cost of repairs, in case of incomplete job or injuries to any person.
Your vacuum repair expert's surety bond is a guarantee that they will repair your damaged vacuum system as expected. And if they fail to complete the job appropriately, the bonding company steps in to compensate you for the additional expenses to finalize the repair.
On the other hand, insurance absolves you from any financial responsibility if bodily injuries are sustained by your repairer or a third-party in the course of the job. Typically, your maintenance technician is required to hold a general liability insurance plan and a workers compensation plan - if they have other technicians in their service. Do not just ask vacuum repair experts near you if they are bonded or insured. Request to see proof and make sure to contact both the insurance and bonding companies to verify and ascertain the level of coverage.
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What Kind of Work Are You Specialized In?
Being a vacuum repair expert does not necessarily translate to the ability to fix all types of vacuum. You should ask your vacuum repair expert the kind of repair and type of vacuum they specialize in to prevent further damages to your vacuum system. The following are commonly used vacuum systems in most homes:
- Central vacuum system - This has a tubing system hidden inside the walls in a home and connects to a motorized suction unit usually placed in basements. It works well on furniture, carpets, and hard floors.
- Handheld vacuum - It works perfectly in cleaning places that are hard to reach within the home.
- Canister vacuum - Canister vacuum has a fantastic suction and airflow, making it a powerful vacuum. It cleans fabrics, carpets, stairs, and hard floors.
- Wet and Dry vacuum - This vacuums both moist and dry surfaces.
- Robot vacuum - A robot vacuum provides convenience and can clean floors and the mess beneath the furniture in a home.
Others are Stick, Backpack, and Upright vacuums. When you intend to hire a vacuum repair expert near you, make sure to hire the right person who can fix your vacuum type.
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Who Will Do the Work?
You have the right to know who will fix your damaged vacuum system when hiring a vacuum repair expert. Although repairing a vacuum system might generally not require many hands, you should ask the expert if they will be working alone or with other persons. Ask to know if each person who will do the job has worker's compensation insurance in place. This will save you from any unexpected financial responsibility that may arise as a result of injuries sustained while working for you. Besides, you must be sure that the other persons have the required experience with your vacuum system type and can work with the right tools.
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Do You Offer Warranty?
You should hire a vacuum repair expert near you who will not hesitate to extend a warranty on their job. A warranty binds your vacuum repair expert in the service contract, and it is an assurance that such repair is free of defects. In many cases, it provides a solution should such repair service fail to meet the given warranty. Although your vacuum repair expert may give you an oral warranty, you should insist on having it written in a paper document. That way, you can read to understand and also obtain proof of their commitment in the event of a defect within the warranty period. If the vacuum repair expert you intend to hire is reluctant to extend a warranty on their service, it is advised to get someone who will.
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Will This Job Require a Permit?
Generally, permits are only required for specific home improvement works such as remodeling, renovation, and major construction projects. Repairing your home vacuum system will not by any means alter the structure of your home, and as such, will not require any permit. However, if you have a central vacuum system installed, contact the local building authority office near you if you would need a permit for repairs. This inquiry is more important if you live in cities like Houston where a permit is required to install such a vacuum system.
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Will You Provide References?
You should request your prospective vacuum repair expert to provide references for some of their past repair services. It is a crucial part of the hiring process. When they present it, make sure to call the clients and confirm that they were satisfied with the vacuum repair expert's service. The feedback you receive from such contacts will determine if you should hire the vacuum repair expert or not. Note that doing this may not reveal the veritable competence of the expert. They will readily provide you with a list of clients who will pass positive comments about them. You can look up public reviews on such a vacuum repair expert online via websites such as Google, Houzz, and Yelp. You will most likely find honest feedback here from people, including clients near you, who once hired such a vacuum repair expert.
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Do You Have a Business License?
A vacuum repair business requires a general business license to operate in any city or county. Generally, federal law requires that all small businesses in the country obtain business licenses. The United States has over 30.7 million small businesses, including those playing in the vacuum repair services. The reason you should ask a vacuum repair expert about their business licensure is so you can make them accountable for any misbehavior. Their actions or inactions can be tied to their business license. However, before hiring a vacuum repair expert, make sure to verify the validity of their business license. You can do this by contacting your secretary of state's office or the local licensing authority. Never hire such a vacuum repair expert if it turns out that the business license is not genuine.
What are Common Vacuum Problems?
The components of your vacuum may seem simple like every other home appliance. However, they sometimes develop faults that require repairs. It is best to let vacuum repair experts near you fix the issues with your home vacuum system. Attempting to do it on your own may result in further damages or an electrical fire accident. Some of the common problems with home vacuum system are:
- Burning smell - A burning smell in a vacuum system is usually a problem with a broken belt.
- Loss of suction - A vacuum is supposed to suck and remove dirt but can sometimes lose power to suction. If you are unable to fix it by emptying the dirtbag or canister, hire a vacuum repair expert to do so.
- Power issue - Many factors may be responsible for your vacuum system that refuse to turn on. For safety, get a vacuum repair expert to check and isolate why your vacuum system will not turn on rather than try to fix it on your own.
How Much Does Vacuum Repair Cost?
On average, most vacuum repair experts charge between $15 and $55 per hour to repair a vacuum system. Note that this excludes the cost of parts if required. Once you notice signs of malfunction on your home vacuum system, engage the service of an expert immediately. Some of the warnings your vacuum will exhibit to prompt you of repairs include noise, clogged pipes, leaks, and reduced suctions.
What are the Factors that Affect the Cost of Vacuum Repair?
Besides the cost of repairing your home vacuum system, other factors contribute to the entire cost of repair. Most vacuum repair experts typically prefer working in their workshops. As such, they will charge you more for working at your home, and the cost will depend on the distance from their workshop to your home. The cost of replacing the damaged parts of your home vacuum system also drives up your repair cost. Also, your vacuum type largely impacts the cost of repairing it. The following list contains the average prices of some parts of the vacuum system that will impact repair cost should those components require replacement:
What Qualifications Should a Vacuum Repair Expert Have?
Although some vacuum repair experts are bachelor's and masters' degree holders, a high school diploma or equivalent is enough for anyone who wishes to become one. Apprenticeships and on-the-job training are also required to acquire skills and make a brilliant vacuum repair expert. A vacuum repair expert can equally enroll in technical courses related to electronics to improve their knowledge. Such programs may reduce the number of years required for on-the-job training. However, continuous training is necessary for a vacuum repair expert who wishes to remain relevant in the face of fast-developing technologies. A vacuum repair expert may apply for certification from the Certified Appliance Professional (CAP) and the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).
Do I Need a Handyman or a Vacuum Repair Expert?
A vacuum repair expert is the right person for your home vacuum system repair and not any handyman near you for the following reasons:
What are Common Vacuum Repair Expenses?
A vacuum system is helpful in the home but may sometimes break down. When your vacuum suffers from damages, you will spend a certain amount of money to fix and have them back up and running. Some of the regular vacuum repair expenses include money spent on resolving the following issues:
However, when the frequency of some of these expenses becomes persistent and recurrent, it might be an indication that you need a new vacuum system. If you have been using it for many years, the odds are that it will show signs of wear and tear, and maintaining it will become extremely expensive.
Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Vacuum Repair Problems?
Homeowners insurance covers vacuum repairs if the reason for repairs includes events such as house fire, lightning strikes, and theft. In 2018, 5.7% of insured homes had a claim. However, if your vacuum system stops working because of inadequate or lack of maintenance, your homeowner's insurance will not cover the cost of repair or replacement. Typically, you have the responsibility of taking proper care of your home and belongings. Your homeowner's insurance will not pay for the regular maintenance expenses on your vacuum system. To protect your vacuum system from risks not covered by homeowners insurance, you can add the equipment breakdown coverage as an endorsement. Typically, equipment breakdown coverage will compensate you for losses caused by accidental breakdown, mechanical breakdown, and an artificial electrical current.
Can I Use Digital Payment to Pay For Vacuum Repair Services?
More and more US small businesses are accepting digital payment today, including vacuum repairers near you. Note that digital payment is an easy, faster, and more convenient way of settling your contractor. However, it is advised you should first ask your contractor if they are willing to be paid via one of these platforms including PayPal, Zelle, Square Cash, Aeropay, Ripple, and Remitly.