Appliance Repair Cost Guide: When to Repair or Replace

A repair call rarely feels like a big decision on its own. The technician diagnoses the problem, quotes a price, and it's usually less than the cost of a new appliance, so you say yes. Then it happens again eight months later. And again the following spring.

That's how many homeowners end up spending more on repairs than a replacement would have cost in the first place. It's not one bad decision. It's a series of reasonable ones that add up.

Should you repair or replace? Compare the appliance repair cost to the price of a comparable new unit. Repair when the quote is under half that price and the appliance is still in the first half of its expected lifespan. Replace it when the repair costs 50% or more, it's past its typical lifespan, or it needs a major part like a compressor or motor.

The decision comes down to three things: what repairs actually cost across your kitchen and laundry appliances, how long a refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer or dishwasher should realistically last, and a simple rule for when to stop repairing and start shopping. Refurbished and open-box units change the math as well, because they lower what it costs to replace.

Why Repair Costs Add Up Faster Than You Think

The typical appliance repair in Canada costs about $220, with most jobs landing between $135 and $300, according to the HomeStars appliance repair cost guide (updated August 2026). Repair technicians charge $130 to $260 an hour, and parts are billed on top of that. Actual prices vary by region, brand and technician.

It's rarely the first repair that gets you. It's the second and third: a door seal today, a control board next winter, a compressor the year after that. Each one looks affordable on its own. Stacked together on an appliance that's already past the ten-year mark, they can easily add up to more than half the cost of buying new.

Repair Costs and Lifespans by Appliance

Some appliances break down sooner and cost more to fix than others. Here's how the major kitchen and laundry appliances compare:

Repair costs: HomeStars (August 2026). Compressor range: Nick's Appliance Repair Canada cost guide (April 2026). Lifespans: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) estimates, as reported by NerdWallet.

A few things stand out. Refrigerators cost the most to repair on a single visit, mainly because sealed-system work (the compressor and refrigerant lines) requires specialized labour. If you're dealing with a fridge that's stopped cooling, that's usually where the bill climbs fastest. Lifespan also depends on the model type: AHAM puts front-load washers at about 9 years and top-loaders at about 11, and electric ranges at about 12 years against roughly 14 for gas.

Regular maintenance pushes an appliance toward the top of its lifespan range; skipping it pushes things toward the bottom. If your washer or dryer is underperforming but not fully broken, our guide to extending washer and dryer lifespan covers the maintenance steps that make the biggest difference, including clearing lint. The City of Toronto names lack of dryer maintenance as a leading cause of home dryer fires.

The 50% Rule

Consumer Reports sums up the rule of thumb simply: don't spend more than 50% of the cost of a new product on repairing an old one.

It works best alongside age. A five-year-old dishwasher with a $150 pump repair is worth fixing. A twelve-year-old dishwasher with a $250 control board quote, on a model that retails for $450, has reached its average lifespan and crossed the 50% line. The same logic applies whether you're looking at a fridge, a stove or a washer and dryer set.

"The 50% rule takes the emotion out of it. Customers don't have to guess whether a repair is worth it. If the quote comes back at half the replacement cost or more, that's your answer." - Omer Akkus, Econoplus

When Refurbished or Open-Box Makes More Sense Than Repairing

Once an appliance crosses the 50% threshold, the next decision is what to buy instead. A lot of people default to the cheapest new model on the floor, which isn't always the smarter move.

A refurbished fridge or refurbished stove from Econoplus is a previous-generation appliance from a brand like Kenmore, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, KitchenAid or Maytag, sold at a fraction of the price of new. Every unit is tested, cleaned and inspected before it goes back on the floor, and it's backed by a warranty, which is more than you'll get from a private listing or marketplace seller. Warranty claims and repairs are handled through Precisions, and you can submit a warranty claim online, so you're not left tracking down a technician on your own.

Open-box appliances offer a similar advantage from a different angle. These are customer returns, floor models or overstock units that can no longer be sold as brand new, so they're discounted even though their condition is close to new.

Buying refurbished also keeps a working appliance out of the landfill instead of sending it there the moment a part fails. Most Econoplus product listings have a "reserve in-store" button, so you can hold an appliance and pick it up at your nearest location.

Replacing More Than One Appliance at Once?

If your fridge and stove are the same age, there's a good chance they'll both need attention around the same time. Appliances installed together tend to wear out together, which is why a repair call on one often turns into a replacement conversation about the other within a year or two.

The most common pairing is a fridge and stove, especially in a kitchen that hasn't been touched since move-in. Washers and dryers are the other frequent pair, because they see the same wear from day one and are usually installed side by side, which is also why they're often sold as matched sets. For a fuller kitchen refresh, a dishwasher often gets added to the fridge-and-stove combination once the other appliances are already being swapped out.

Replacing more than one appliance at once can also mean one delivery instead of several. Ask about current bundle pricing and financing options before you buy one at a time.

Quick Checklist: Repair or Replace?

Lean toward repair if:

• The appliance is still under warranty
• The repair quote comes in under 50% of what a comparable new unit would cost
• The appliance is under half its expected lifespan (see the table above)
• This is the first repair it's needed
• The issue is a minor part, like a door seal, belt or thermostat
  

Lean toward replace if:

• The repair quote is at or above 50% of replacement cost
• The appliance is past its typical lifespan range
• Breakdowns are becoming more frequent
• The failure involves a major component, like a compressor or motor
• A second appliance of the same age is also starting to show problems

When it's close, the deciding factor is usually how many years of use you'd actually get out of the repair. A $350 fix on a four-year-old washer buys you several more years. The same $350 fix on a ten-year-old washer is a bet that the next failure won't show up for a while, and that bet doesn't always pay off.

Shop Smarter, Not Just Cheaper

Repair costs add up quietly, one reasonable decision at a time. Knowing your appliance's age, its likely lifespan and the 50% rule gives you a clear way to decide when it's time to stop paying for repairs.

When it is time to replace, Econoplus sells refurbished and open-box refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and dishwashers from trusted brands, all tested, inspected and backed by warranty. Shop refurbished appliances or visit one of our Quebec showrooms, including Longueuil, Laval and LaSalle, to see the units in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my appliance is worth repairing?
Compare the repair quote to 50% of the cost of a comparable new unit, then factor in age. For fridges, HomeStars suggests repairing one under 8 years old and replacing one over 15. In between, the size of the repair usually decides it: a compressor job often pushes an older fridge past the 50% line.

How much does an appliance repair service call cost?
Canadian guides report hourly rates of $130 to $260 for appliance repair technicians in Canada, with the service call usually built into that rate. Parts are extra.

Is a refurbished refrigerator or stove reliable?
Yes, when it has been tested and comes with a warranty. Every refurbished appliance at Econoplus is tested, cleaned and inspected before sale and covered by warranty, unlike private marketplace listings where there's no way to verify repair history.

What's the most expensive thing to fix in a refrigerator?
Sealed-system work, meaning the compressor or refrigerant lines. Canadian repair guides put compressor replacement at roughly $400 to $700 in parts and labour, which is why it's usually the tipping point toward replacement.