How to Vet an Appliance Installation and Repair Company Before You Hire

Finding home appliance installers or repair pros who are reliable, trustworthy, and qualified can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Learn what elements to consider when you’re shopping around so that you can find the right company or appliance professional for you.

When one of your home appliances goes on the fritz, your daily life and routine are impacted. That’s why it’s essential to get repair work or installation of a new appliance taken care of as soon as possible. However, unless you already have a relationship with a repair or installation firm, it can be incredibly hard to know where to start in terms of vetting different choices. Whether you need an oven repair or dishwasher installation, though, there are some essential elements that you should look for in any appliance company. Read on to find out some basic tips that will help you navigate the world of appliance pros so that you can make an informed decision before you hire.

The first thing that you must check out when it comes to any type of appliance pro is insurance. Appliances are complex machines that often bring together water, electricity, and/or gas into the same space. Even if a washing machine repair, for example, sounds fairly innocuous, working on an appliance like this (either in terms of repair or installation) is inherently dangerous. You do not want to take the risk of being held liable for any incidents that occur while a repair or installation pro is on your property, so look for companies that are fully insured.

You should also make certain that any company you hire is licensed by the state. This means that the state knows the individual or company in question is servicing appliances. It also means that the appliance pro has agreed to abide by state-determined standards of acceptable practices, is liable for penalties for illegal practices, and is required to give consumers important information such as service estimates. Before you hire someone for fridge, oven, or dishwasher repair or installation help, you should make sure that they are in compliance with all the necessary legal parameters of your locality.

If you find a company that is both insured and licensed, you’re probably in good shape, and you should feel comfortable contacting them to find out if they can help you with your appliance repair or installation project. However, if you want to be really sure that your refrigerator repair or stove installation is going to be handled with professional integrity, you can put potential companies to a third test: Are they established in the business community? Many locally owned companies will opt to undergo accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. This is a national organization that promotes best business practices, denounces substandard business behavior, and serves as a watchdog for business scams. Your local community may also have a business association of some type with its own membership criteria and vetting practices. Either way, a company that willingly puts its business practices under public scrutiny will likely be an excellent fit for even the most particular consumers.