One phone call with the right 10 questions separates a professional company from one that will overcharge you, misdiagnose the problem, or disappear after cashing your check.
The 10 Questions
(1) Are you licensed and insured? (2) What is your diagnostic fee? (3) Is the diagnostic fee applied toward the repair or charged on top? (4) Do you provide a written estimate before starting work? (5) What warranty do you offer on parts and labor? (6) Do you use OEM or aftermarket parts? (7) How long have you been in business? (8) Are your technicians factory-trained on my brand? (9) Do you offer same-day service? (10) What happens if the repair doesn't solve the problem?
Red Flag Answers
"We'll figure out the price once we open it up" means surprise charges are coming. "Our warranty covers parts but not labor" means you pay double if the part fails again within 90 days. "We don't do written estimates" means the price can change mid-repair. "We've been in business a few months" means no track record. A company that stumbles on these questions has something to hide. A company that answers them without hesitation has nothing to hide.
The Diagnostic Fee Question Separates Good Companies From Bad
This single question reveals more about a company than any Google review. Companies that charge a diagnostic fee AND apply it toward the repair are confident in their pricing. They know most customers proceed with the work. Companies that keep the diagnostic fee on top of the repair are double-dipping on a $65-$109 charge. At Treasure Coast Appliance Repair, the $109 diagnostic is always subtracted from your repair total. You pay once.
What "Factory-Trained" Means and Why It Matters
Factory training means the technician completed manufacturer-specific certification for brands like Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, or Maytag. These certifications cover model-specific diagnostics, proprietary error codes, and sealed-system procedures that a general technician may not know. A Samsung refrigerator has different diagnostic sequences than a Whirlpool. Factory training means the tech diagnoses faster and gets it right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask an appliance repair company before hiring them?
Ask 5 minimum: Are you licensed and insured? What is the diagnostic fee and is it applied toward repair? Do you provide written estimates? What warranty do you offer? How long have you been in business?
How do I know if an appliance repair company is legitimate?
Verify a business license, insurance certificate, Google reviews (100+ spread over months), willingness to provide written estimates, and clear warranty terms covering both parts and labor.
Need Appliance Repair on the Treasure Coast?
Same-day service 7 days a week. Diagnostic fee applied toward repair. All brands.