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What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Appliance Technician in Orlando?

Appliance technicians in Orlando are generally skilled and experienced in repairing and maintaining several kinds of household appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washing machines, and garbage disposers. While no occupation-specific licenses are required for appliance repairs in Orlando, local appliance technicians may be mandated to comply with state and federal regulations before performing certain appliance-related work, like fixing propane-powered appliances.

Professional appliance technicians typically have areas of specialization that should be considered when hiring. The following are some of them:

• Product: These technicians specialize in appliances from specific manufacturers, like Whirlpool, LG, Frigidaire, Samsung, and Kenmore.
• Appliance: These technicians specialize in specific kinds of appliances, regardless of the manufacturer.
• Energy-Source: These technicians specialize in appliances that use a particular type of energy/fuel source (typically electric, gas, solar, or dual-fuel/hybrid).
• Size: these technicians specialize in large-sized appliances commonly used in commercial establishments like restaurants and commercial kitchens.

Average lifespans (in years) of commonly used household appliances in Orlando are provided below:

• Refrigerators: 10 – 13
• Freezers: 10 -15
• Washing Machines: 9 - 10
• Dryers: 10 – 13
• Dishwashers: 8 – 10
• Microwave Ovens: 8 – 10
• Ranges/Oven Hoods: 10 – 16
• Garbage Disposers: 10 – 12
• Compactors: 6 – 7

An appliance's make, model, and usage will affect its lifespan and durability. We recommend calling a professional Orlando appliance technician if you notice any of the following situations with your appliance (no matter how new):

• Burning smells
• Considerable increase in energy consumption when using the device
• Inexplicable moisture in or around the appliance
• Strange noises
• General appliance malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Orlando?

While there are no specific local occupational licensing requirements for appliance repair technicians in Orlando, state-issued licenses and federally-mandated certifications may be required to perform certain appliance repairs, such as follows:

• Section 608 Certification: this certification is required for any work that involves repairing, servicing, and maintaining refrigerant-containing appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and AC units and must be obtained from an EPA-approved organization.
• Category V LP Gas Installer (LI) License: this license is required for any work that involves servicing, modifying, altering, and repairing propane/LP gas-powered appliances and must be obtained from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
• Contractor Licenses: an Electrical Contractor license is required for any work that involves repairing or altering electrical appliances that generate, transmit, transform, or utilize electrical energy for light, heat, power, or communications; a separate Air Conditioning Contractor License is required for fixing refrigerators, freezers, AC units, and other similar appliances. These licenses must be obtained from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

It is crucial to verify that any appliance repair technician you are considering hiring in Orlando holds the licenses and certifications relevant to your specific needs; this assures that they are qualified and competent to perform the job. You can confirm state-issued licenses via the FDACS's and DBPR's respective License/Complaint Lookup and Verify a Licensee tools.

You can also contact the Orlando Economic Development Department and the Orange County Division of Building Safety at (407) 246-2821 and (407) 836-5550, respectively, for additional information on the required licenses and certifications for appliance repair technicians in Orlando.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Orlando?

The cost of repairing faulty appliances in Orlando typically ranges from $50 - $500 (or more), with local technicians charging hourly fees of about $50 - $150 for their services. Other factors that influence the overall cost of appliance repairs in Orlando are as follows:

• The nature of the problem
• The type of appliance
• The cost of required replacement components
• The urgency of the repair

Listed below are estimates for repairing common household appliances in Orlando:

You should consider getting and comparing quotes for your appliance repair from several technicians before hiring; this will help you get a fair idea of current market rates and avoid being conned by dishonest technicians. Also, ensure your chosen technician is appropriately licensed, experienced, and has a solid local reputation.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Factory certification is a recognition granted to appliance repair technicians by product manufacturers that signifies that the technicians have undergone a thorough vetting process, received specialized training, and are considered competent enough to provide advanced services specifically for the manufacturer's brand of products. While the cost of hiring factory-certified repair technicians may be slightly higher than that of non-factory-certified ones, doing so has several benefits, including the following:

• Assurance that skilled and knowledgeable professionals will handle your appliance repairs
• Access to genuine replacement parts and technical support directly from the appliance manufacturer
• Warranty protection

Apart from factory certification, professional appliance technicians in Orlando also undergo training and certifications with reputable organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) to enhance their expertise and competence further. However, always verify any credentials your intended technician claims to possess before finalizing hiring agreements with them.

Do You Replace Parts with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts?

When selecting appliance repair technicians in Orlando, ensuring that your preferred technician uses Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts is crucial. OEM parts are produced by the manufacturer of the appliance (unlike generic parts, which third-party companies make). Their compatibility, durability, and overall quality make them the better and more cost-effective choice for replacing faulty components and accessories in appliances. Moreover, using OEM parts preserves any existing warranties on your device.

However, while it is always ideal to opt for OEM parts, there are situations where generic parts may have to be used instead. This is often the case when the original appliance manufacturer no longer produces the required parts, and they are also unavailable via alternative sources like local supply stores and online marketplaces.

Whatever the case, ensure that your chosen technician offers warranties that cover both their repair work and all replacement parts used (whether OEM or generic).

Will My Home Warranty Cover the Cost of Repairing the Appliance?

A home warranty is a service agreement that covers the cost of servicing, repairing, or replacing household appliances when they malfunction or break down. Home warranties differ from home insurance in that the former only covers specific household appliances like built-in microwave ovens, washers, dryers, and kitchen appliances, while the latter covers damages to your home and personal belongings resulting from unforeseen events.

Standard home warranties are typically valid for about one year, can be renewed annually, and usually only cover damages caused by normal wear and tear. Some warranties may also extend their coverage to damages caused by improper repair and insufficient maintenance. However, most home warranties do not provide coverage for damages caused by the following:

• Improper installation of the appliance
• Misuse of the device
• Pre-existing faults

Thus, always review the terms and conditions of any home warranty carefully before signing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Orlando Appliance Technician?

It is critical to confirm your preferred technician's insurance status and ensure they carry liability insurance before finalizing hiring agreements with them. Doing this protects you from liabilities if any injuries or property damage occur during your appliance repair and prevents out-of-pocket expenses derived from such situations.

Notice that Orlando appliance technicians with state-issued licenses (required for fixing gas-powered, electric, cooling, and refrigerating appliances) must carry liability insurance coverage with minimum limits ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence, depending on the specific type of license they hold. Furthermore, appliance technicians with four or more employees must also carry workers' compensation insurance.

You can contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 921-1600 and (850) 487-1395, respectively, for more information regarding the insurance requirements for Orlando appliance technicians.