Repair or Replace? How to Decide When an Appliance Breaks

By Fairview Appliance Repair · 8/4/2026

When an appliance breaks, the first question is always the same: is it worth fixing, or should you replace it? Here is the honest framework we use on every call.

The 50 percent rule

If the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit, replacement usually makes sense. If it is well under half, a repair is almost always the smarter money.

Factor in age

A refrigerator or range that is under about eight years old is generally worth repairing. A washer or dryer past ten to twelve years is closer to the line. Dishwashers tend to earn their keep for around a decade.

Watch for repeat failures

One fix on an otherwise solid appliance is normal. A third repair in a year on the same unit is the machine telling you something. At that point the money is better spent on a replacement.

Get a real diagnosis first

You cannot make this call without knowing what is actually wrong. That is why we diagnose on site and give you a flat-rate quote before any work begins, so you can decide with real numbers in front of you.