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

Memphis appliance technicians are experts at fixing faulty home appliances, offering services like routine maintenance, appliance upgrades, and troubleshooting. These technicians do not need an occupational license to operate in the city. However, there are federal and state requirements for offering certain repair services, such as Section 608 technician certification requirements for HVAC-related services.

Appliance repair technicians often specialize in the kind of services they offer. These specializations vary but include:

• Appliance: Technicians have specific appliances they are experts at handling.
• Product: While some technicians can fix certain appliances regardless of the manufacturer, some specialize in handling appliances from specific manufacturers/brands. These technicians are manufacturer-certified.
• Use: Some technicians work on residential appliances, while others are skilled at handling commercial or large-sized appliances.
• Energy Source: Appliances may be electricity or gas-powered. Accordingly, technicians typically specialize along these lines.

One way to determine how long your appliance may work without repairs is to know the appliance's life expectancy. Here is the average life expectancy of some of the frequently used home appliances (in years):

• Gas Cookers: 10 - 15
• Blenders: 5 - 8
• Cloth Dryers: 12 - 15
• Microwaves: 6 - 7
• Compactors: 6 - 7
• Air Conditioners: 12 - 15
• Washing Machines: 9 - 12
• Freezers: 10 -15
• Refrigerators: 10 – 13

Besides appliance malfunctions, other unique situations you should hire an appliance technician include:

• Burning or fishy odors
• Electrical shocks
• Unreasonable energy usage
• Odd sounds
• Any safety concerns

Are You Licensed as an Appliance Repair Technician in Memphis?

Memphis does not require or issue occupational licenses to appliance technicians in the city. Most technicians train under or obtain certifications from reputable technicians or institutions.

However, there are federal and state licensing and occupational requirements for technicians offering certain services or working in specific industries. These include:

• Section 608 technician certification: This applies to technicians who handle equipment capable of releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere, such as HVAC systems, freezers, and refrigerators. This certification is valid if obtained from an EPA-certified organization.
• Home improvement license: Technicians who intend to engage in large-scale or commercial jobs may need to obtain a home improvement license, especially if the service costs between $3,000 and $24,999.
• Contractor license: Technicians offering electrical, plumbing, or HVAC-related services or large-scale services costing $25,000 or more must obtain a contractor license from the State Contractors Licensing Board (SCLB), as these services are not covered by home improvement licensing.
• Business license: All technicians must obtain a business license from the Memphis Business Tax Division (BTD) to be eligible to work within the city.

Before signing off on a technician, you should ensure they have the proper certification or license to offer your requested service. This offers some guarantee that the technician is up to the task and not illegally operating. You can do this by verifying certification claims with the agency that issued the certification. You can verify a technician's home improvement or contractor license through the SCLB license search portal or their business license by contacting the BTD at (901) 222-3059.

What Rates Do You Charge for Appliance Repairs in Memphis?

The average hourly rate for appliance repair technicians in Memphis is between $25 and $30. Large-scale repairs typically cost more, and the final estimate for a repair service depends on several other factors. These include:

• The nature and extent of repairs
• The need for part replacements
• The appliance's brand
• The urgency of the service
• The labor necessary for the service

The type of appliance is also a key factor. Below are the average costs for fixing frequently used home appliances:

Despite the different appliance repair service costs, you can find more accurate estimates for your needed service by comparing estimates from multiple technicians. In addition to helping with cost estimates, comparing costs helps you get the best deals and avoid excessive charges. Remember to verify the license or certification of your preferred technician, even if they have the best offers.

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair This Appliance?

Manufacturer or factory-certified technicians are trained by an appliance manufacturer in handling issues usual to this appliance and other maintenance-related procedures. You should hire technicians who are manufacturer-certified, as they typically have a better understanding of the appliance and have other advantages, such as:

• Technical assistance from the manufacturer, if needed
• Ensuring your repair complies with manufacturer warranty terms
• Access to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts

However, besides manufacturer certifications, technicians get certifications and repair training from reputable third-party organizations. Examples of these organizations include the Institute of Appliance Service Technicians and the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians. In any case, verify certification claims made by your technician before hiring them to ensure you are not dealing with a fraudulent individual or business.

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

Factors that determine how well your repair service turns out include the technician's skill, the extent of needed repair, and the parts used for replacement. Appliance parts are either OEM or generic. While an appliance manufacturer makes the OEM parts, generic parts are made by other third-party companies. In any case, confirm your technician is using an OEM part for your repair services, as they are usually more durable, compatible, and covered by warranty.

If an OEM part is unavailable because of discontinuation or part of a limited edition program. In such cases, you may need to opt for generic parts. However, ensure they are covered by warranty and compatible with your appliance.

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

Home warranties are insurance-like policies that protect you from appliance repair costs. They cover costs wholly or partly and typically last for a year. Home warranties are not the same as homeowners insurance. The latter covers damages to your home and its structural integrity. While homeowners insurance may cover certain appliances in the home, this coverage is not extensive.

A home warranty is handy for repairs caused by inadequate repairs, appliance malfunction, wear and tear, and general situations that are no fault of your own. Likewise, certain situations are typically excluded under these warranties, especially:

• Improper installation or usage
• Pre-existing conditions
• Cosmetic and structural damages

It is advisable to read the terms and conditions of your home warranty so you are abreast of exclusions that may apply to them.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Memphis Appliance Technician?

There are no local insurance requirements for appliance repair technicians in Memphis. However, technicians holding home improvement and contractor licenses must have valid general liability and workers' compensation insurance policies. Home improvement license holders must file a bond with the SCLB. The insurance and bond amount depends on the technician's license type.

Besides ensuring your technician complies with these requirements, it is crucial that your technician is insured and bonded. This helps ensure you do not pay out of your pocket for any injuries or property damage that arises from your repair. A bond also ensures a fraudulent technician does not successfully abscond with your money or fail to complete the repair.

An effective way to confirm your technician's insurance or bond is to obtain their insurance or bond certificate and verify it with the company that issued the certificate.