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

Appliance technicians in Tampa handle the maintenance and repair of household items such as ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines. Appliance technicians do not require a license to operate in the city. However, they may have to follow federal and state regulations to provide specific services, such as fixing propane-powered equipment. Although appliance technicians are generally conversant with handling various types of appliances, many also have specific areas of specialization. Some of these areas of specialization are listed below:

• Brand/Product-Specific Repair: These technicians mainly handle products made by a particular brand of appliance manufacturer, like Whirlpool, Kenmore, and LG.
• Appliance-Specific Repair: These technicians can handle the maintenance and repair of specific types of appliances, regardless of the brand of the appliance manufacturer.
• Energy Source-based Repair: These appliance technicians mainly focus on gas or electric appliances. Nevertheless, some technicians also specialize in solar and hybrid-powered products.
• Commercial Appliance Repair: While most appliance technicians typically handle regular household items, some may also specialize in larger ones commonly used in commercial settings like restaurants.

Below are the average life expectancies of various major household appliances (in years):

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

The longevity and durability of your appliance will usually depend on its make and model, as well as on its level of use and maintenance. If you notice any of the following issues, you should contact a professional appliance technician in Tampa:

• A burning smell coming from your appliances
• A noticeable increase in your energy costs
• Appliances making abnormal sounds
• Noticeable unexplained moisture in or around appliances
• General appliance malfunctions

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Tampa?

Appliance technicians in Tampa do not have city-specific occupational licensing requirements. However, they may have to obtain a federal or state-level certification and license to offer or provide services by demonstrating a certain level of proficiency.

• A license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): the DBPR issues an electrical contractor license to any appliance technician who will be carrying out repairs or alterations of electrical equipment that produces, transmits, converts, or uses electrical energy for communications, light, heat, or power. In addition, the DBPR also issues Class A or Class B Air Conditioning Contractor Licenses to technicians who will be working in the maintenance and repair of AC units and refrigerators.
• A Section 608 Certification from an EPA-approved organization: This is usually required for those who are working on or planning on repairing or maintaining certain types of appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers that contain or release refrigerants
• A Category V LP Gas Installer (LI) License from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS): Appliance repair technicians require this license if they plan on modifying, repairing, or servicing propane/LP gas-powered appliances.

When hiring a skilled appliance technician in Tampa, ensure they have the necessary licenses and credentials to do the job. You can check the license status of these individuals using the DBPR's Verify a Licensee and FDACS's License/Complaint Lookup tools. By doing this, you can confirm that they are competent to provide the services you need.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Tampa?

In Tampa, average hourly labor rates for appliance repairs are around $50 to $125; in general, fixing broken or defective appliances can range from $50 to $400. However, the actual cost of these services will depend on factors like the following:

• The type of appliance
• The type of problem
• The appliance's energy source
• The urgency of the repair
• Accessibility to the appliance
• The cost of necessary replacement parts

Below are estimates for various common home appliance repairs in Tampa:

Before you hire a professional appliance repair technician in Tampa for any service, it is advised that you compare the rates of at least three technicians. This ensures you get the best possible deal and do not end up hiring a dishonest technician who may try to rip you off. You should also confirm that your technician is appropriately licensed and experienced.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

A factory certification or factory authorization is a designation that manufacturers give to appliance repair technicians to indicate that they have undergone extensive training and are authorized to provide specialized services for certain brands of products. Although it can be a bit more expensive to have a factory-certified technician repair your appliance, doing so will provide unique benefits like the following:

• Warranty protection
• Getting technical support and the exact replacement parts for your appliance from the manufacturer
• The assurance that a skilled technician will handle your repair

Aside from being factory-certified, professional appliance technicians in Tampa also undergo various training and certification programs. These include courses offered by trade schools and organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

One last piece of advice:, before you agree to work with an appliance repair technician, ensure you verify any credentials they present to you.

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

When repairing your household appliances in the Tampa area, confirming that the appliance technician you hire uses Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts is essential. The appliance manufacturer makes these parts, while generic components are made by companies not affiliated with the original manufacturer. An OEM part is typically more durable, high-quality, and cost-effective than generic components. These types of parts also protect your appliances' existing warranties.

Although you should always use (OEM) components when possible, you might have to use generic versions if the original appliance manufacturer has already discontinued the model of your device. Even if they use generic components, you should always ask your appliance technician to warrant their work; you can do this by asking your technician to provide a warranty that covers the repair work and replacement parts used for the appliance. This will ensure that you get the best possible service.

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

A home warranty is a type of service contract that covers the cost of repairs or replacement of household appliances, such as kitchen and laundry appliances, that fail due to normal wear and tear. This coverage typically lasts for one year and can be renewed annually.

Be aware that a home warranty is not the same as home insurance. Home insurance covers damages to your home caused by unexpected events. A home warranty, on the other hand, covers the failure of certain appliances due to regular wear and tear or other causes, such as defective maintenance and repairs. However, most home warranties do not cover the following situations:

• Pre-existing faults
• Damages caused by misuse of the appliance
• Damages caused by improper appliance installation or handling

Hence, we recommend you thoroughly review the home warranty's terms and conditions before signing.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tampa Appliance Technician?

When looking for an appliance repair technician, hiring one with adequate insurance coverage is best. This protects you from any financial losses that may result from the work. So, confirming that the technician you plan to hire has adequate liability insurance is essential. State-licensed appliance repair technicians in Tampa must carry liability insurance with a minimum limit of $100,000 to $1 million for each occurrence. This limit is based on the type of repairs they are licensed to perform. Apart from liability insurance, appliance repair businesses that employ more than four workers must also carry workers' compensation insurance.

To learn more about the insurance requirements of state-licensed appliance repairers in Tampa, contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (850) 487-1395 and (850) 921-1600, respectively.