How much does washing machine repair cost in Virginia?

There is no single Virginia price for washing machine repair, because the bill is built from a service visit, a part and labor, and each varies by machine and by company. This guide shows what is on a repair bill, which repairs run small and which run large, and how to get a written quote you can compare against the price of a new washer.

What a washer repair bill is made of

Most quotes combine three things:

• The service visit or diagnostic fee. Many companies charge to come out and find the fault, and some credit it toward the repair if you go ahead. Ask which before you book.
• The part. A drain pump, water inlet valve, door lock or belt is a modest part. A control board costs more. A drum bearing or the drum assembly itself costs the most.
• Labor. Time on site depends on how deep the part sits. A pump behind a lower panel is quick; a bearing that means taking the machine apart is hours.

Brand, age, front or top load and how hard the part is to find move the total. Older or less common models can mean waiting for parts, which can push a repair past the point of being worth it.

Repairs that cost little or nothing

Some "repairs" are really maintenance:

• A smell. This is nearly always a cleaning job; see how to clean a front-load washer that smells. Whirlpool's troubleshooting guide for odors starts with HE detergent, the monthly Clean Washer cycle and a clean dispenser drawer.^[1]
• Too many suds, poor rinsing or slow draining. Using non-HE detergent or more than the manufacturer's recommended amount of detergent can cause excessive suds, which can lead to the washer leaking, draining concerns, and/or poor rinsing performance.^[1] Switching detergent and measuring it costs nothing.
• Old hoses. Whirlpool's guidance is to replace inlet hoses after 5 years of use to reduce the risk of hose failure, and to replace them sooner if you find bulges, kinks, cuts, wear or leaks.^[2] That is the cheapest insurance against a flooded laundry room.
• A drain that will not empty. Often a clogged pump filter or kinked hose.

Check the warranty before you pay

A washer still under the manufacturer's warranty can often be repaired or replaced at no cost. Find the model and serial number on the label inside the door frame or on the back, then check the receipt and the maker's warranty terms. Exclusions usually apply for misuse or an installation that did not follow the instructions, so keep the paperwork.

Getting a quote you can compare

The Virginia Board for Contractors, in its consumer guide for home projects, says it is advisable to get at least three written bids or estimates so you can compare prices.^[3] It also warns not to automatically accept the lowest.^[3] That advice is written for larger projects but works for an appliance quote too. Before you agree, ask for:

• the fault the technician found, in writing
• the part, its price and whether it is new or refurbished
• the labor charge and whether the visit fee is credited
• the warranty on the part and the work
• the total, including tax and any disposal or haul-away fee

On deposits, the Board's rule of thumb for home-improvement jobs is an initial deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less.^[3] A repair rarely needs one at all.

Repair or replace

Put the written repair quote beside the price of a comparable new washer. The closer the repair is to the price of a new machine, the more replacement makes sense, especially if the washer is old or has had other faults. A replacement can also lower running costs: ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers.^[4] Is it worth repairing a washing machine walks through the decision.

Stop and call a pro if

• Water is leaking from inside the machine or the floor is wet. Turn off the supply valves, unplug the washer and call for service.
• There is a burning smell, smoke or sparking. Unplug the washer if you can do so safely and call a technician.
• The quote includes new plumbing or wiring. In Virginia no individual may engage in, or offer to engage in, work as a tradesman unless licensed,^[5] and the trades are electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.^[6] Check the license on the DPOR website before you hire for that part of the job.

Getting help in Virginia

See more appliance repair answers or browse washer repair pros on Loclis.

When you want comparable quotes, describe your washer problem and local pros will quote it in writing.