Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Indianapolis, IN

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Indianapolis

Attempts to fix your broken household appliance on your own may result in greater damage including electrical malfunction. Note, electrical malfunction from faulty appliances account for over 12 percent of all residential building fires across the United States in 2019 alone. As such, it is best to leave the repair of your fridges, washing machines, stoves, garbage disposals, and any other home appliance to qualified professionals who are conversant with safety regulations for appliance repairs.

When in search of a professional appliance repair service in Indianapolis, ensure to ask the following questions to verify if they have the necessary skills and experience to complete your repair successfully:

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Indianapolis?

There are no specific licensing requirements for appliance repair men in Indianapolis. However, as required by Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, all technicians who deal with appliances that contain a refrigerant are required to complete the EPA's certification course. Also, according to Section 875-301 of the Indianapolis-Marion County Code of Ordinances, individuals who wish to maintain or repair refrigeration systems within Indianapolis must obtain a license from the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (IDBNS).

Individuals who wish to obtain this license must have at least five years of experience and will need to take an examination. Appliances who are successful in the exam can fill out and submit an application form to:

Department of Business and Neighborhood Services
Contractor Licensing
1200 Madison Avenue Street. 100
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: (317)327-1291

All individuals who want to get this license must carry the necessary insurance and worker's compensation insurance. You can direct your queries regarding the licensing process to IDBNS at (317) 327-8700. You can also confirm if your intended appliance repairman is properly licensed to repair your refrigerator by utilizing the IDBNS' Licensed HVAC Contractors List.

Although repairmen in Indianapolis do not require licenses, they do obtain certifications voluntarily from organizations like the United Appliance Servicers Association and the International Society of Electronics Technicians to improve their knowledge and skills. These organizations offer specialized training that gives the repairman advanced knowledge and experience in the field. However, ensure you confirm any certification claim by your repairman with the issuing organization before hiring them.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Indianapolis?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average hourly earning for appliance repairmen in Indianapolis is around $19. However, the total cost of repairs can vary depending on factors, such as the type of appliance that needs fixing, the extent of the damage, and the cost of the required parts.

When hiring an appliance technician, it is important always to get and compare multiple estimates of different repairmen in the city before choosing a reputable appliance repair service. Pay attention to repairmen with charges that are too low or too high. It may mean that the repairman may be engaged in fraudulent activity. Also, ensure these repairmen run a diagnostic test on the faulty appliances before giving you estimates. Before signing any contract with a repairman, make sure that it is in writing to prevent unauthorized repair work.

Appliance repairmen in Indianapolis earn an average annual wage of $41,390. Provided below is a comparison of the average hourly wage for appliance repair men in Indianapolis with those of these technicians in other areas of the State of Indiana and several other locations across the United States:

Indianapolis Appliance Repair Average Hourly Wage
$19.90
Indiana Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$19.34
Columbus Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.30
New York City Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$27.05
Los Angeles Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$23.44
Houston Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$22.60
Phoenix Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$29.43
Denver Appliance Repair Man Average Hourly Wage
$27.11
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in Indianapolis?

When it comes to major home appliances such as refrigerators, garbage disposals, and microwaves, it is often good to hire a factory-certified technician in Indianapolis to handle the repairs. These individuals receive the necessary training and experience from the appliances manufacturer to handle the repairs and maintenance of these appliances. Advantages of hiring an Indianapolis factory-certified technician include:

  • They are knowledgeable about the various components of different brands of appliances.
  • They are knowledgeable about running diagnostics, maintenance, and repairing these appliances.
  • They maintain a direct connection with the appliances manufacturer, which can help during the repairs.
  • They also offer a warranty. This ensures that their customers are getting the best possible service.
  • They also use original or manufacturer-authorized parts.

Although having no factory certification does not mean that an appliance repair technician is incompetent or unskilled. Many non-factory-certified repairmen in Indianapolis have the necessary training and experience to handle various appliances. Nonetheless, ensure you take the necessary steps to confirm that they have the skills to handle your faulty appliances. Apart from confirming the experience and skills of your repairman, you must take into account their charges, insurance status, and the terms and conditions of the contracts.

Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?

The type of appliance parts and accessories used when performing a home appliance repair job is very important to determine the project's success. Typically, a repairman can use the Original Manufacturer Equipment (OEM) or a generic part when repairing your appliance. While using generic parts may seem like a cheaper option, ensuring that the repairman you hire uses OEM parts is always essential.

OEM parts are parts and components of appliances and accessories made and supplied by the manufacturer of the appliances. On the other hand, generic parts refer to the components and accessories supplied by third-party companies that are usually not affiliated with the manufacturer. The use of OEM parts over generic parts has different advantages, and some include:

  • OEM components are more durable and have higher quality materials. They also tend to last longer than their generic counterparts.
  • Since the manufacturer makes them, the components used by an appliance manufacturer are always compatible with its equipment.
  • Using original equipment parts ensures that your appliance's warranty is not voided.

Nonetheless, your repairman may not find the necessary OEM parts for your appliance due to various factors such as the unavailability of the parts from the manufacturer, or the production has stopped. If these parts are no longer available from the manufacturer, you can use generic parts instead. Before the technician purchases any parts for your appliance, ensure that they get the necessary approval from you. Also, make sure that the written warranties that the repairman provides cover the actual work that the technician carries out.

What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?

Appliance repair technicians in Indianapolis can handle various repairs, such as garbage disposal, refrigerator, and laundry machine repair. Before you hire a repair technician in Indianapolis, you must confirm that the repairman has the proper tools and experience to carry out the repairs successfully. Also, verify that the repairman has the necessary area of specialization to carry out repairs for your specific appliance brand and model. This can help ensure that the services will be of the best quality.

Also, be sure that the price you will be charged for the service is included in any contract you sign. Doing this will reduce the likelihood of getting into a financial dispute with the technician after completing the appliance repair. Listed below are cost estimates of some appliance repair services provided by professional repair technicians in Indianapolis:

Central vacuum system installation
$1,742 - $2,586 (for existing typical four-bedroom home)
Dishwasher repair
$102 - $236
Dishwasher water and drain line installation
$137 - $157
Dryer repair
$117 - $227
Electrical appliance installation
$131 - $179 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Garbage disposal unit repair/installation
$366 - $463
Gas appliance installation
$177 - $326 (for basic appliance hookup only)
Ice maker water line installation
$136 - $191
Microwave oven installation
$133 - $148 (labor only, for basic microwave installation)
Microwave oven repair
$116 - $202
Refrigerator water line installation
$132 - $181
Washer/washing machine repair
$117 - $277
Washer/washing machine water line and drain installation
$112 - $182
Stove/oven repair
$147 - $373 (labor only)
Refrigerator repair
$127 - $427 (labor only)

How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?

Although many professional repairmen provide top-quality appliance repair services in Indianapolis, there are also chances that you will end up dissatisfied with the work done by these technicians. This could be because the fault in the appliance was not appropriately fixed, or the appliance suddenly developed a new issue. When faced with these issues, you should contact the repairmen to inform them of this development. Depending on the issue, the technician may be able to provide you with a variety of solutions, including:

  • Re-do the repair work properly
  • Offer to pay you full or partial compensation for the unsatisfactory service.
  • Referral of another appliance repairman

If you are not satisfied with the repairman's resolution or you suspect fraudulent activity, then you can take the necessary steps to file complaints with any of the following agencies:

Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Government Center South
5th Floor
302 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
  • Get consumer assistance by contacting the Better Business Bureau at their regional office located in Indianapolis at:
2601 Fortune
Circle Drive E #103A,
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Phone: (317) 488-2222

These agencies can not guarantee you compensation even after resolving the issue related to your appliances. As such, you can file a lawsuit against the erring appliance repairman if your claims do not exceed $8000 at the appropriate Indianapolis Small Claims Court location:

Center Township Small Claims Court

300 East. Fall Creek Pkwy N
Drive #130
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Decatur Township Small Claims Court
3730 South. Foltz Street
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Franklin Township Small Claims Court
4351 Independence Square
Indianapolis, IN 46203

Unlike the typical civil case, small claims cases are not governed by the rules of procedure. Litigants do not necessarily have to be represented by an attorney. However, it is still important to consult with an attorney before proceeding with an action in court. You can find a lawyer near you by utilizing the lawyer referral services of the Indianapolis Bar Association or by contacting the city's Bar Association at (317) 269-2000.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Indianapolis?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1,000 home appliance repair men suffered on-the-job injuries in 2020. Even though there are no insurance requirements for technicians in Indianapolis, it's still important to hire an insured technician. A repairman having the proper insurance coverage can help protect you against liability if something goes wrong while fixing your appliance. As such, before hiring a repairman, ensure you request a copy of their insurance certificate to verify that their coverage is adequate. You can also contact the issuing insurance company to verify the certificate.

Note that if your repairman is repairing a refrigerator or any other appliance with refrigerant, they are statutorily required to have general liability coverage, a bond, and workers' compensation insurance if their employees work with them. These repairmen must maintain the following:

  • A minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance coverage for property damage and $100,000 for bodily injury.
  • Alternatively, the repairman can get a combined insurance policy with a minimum value of $500,000. The law requires that Indianapolis be named as an additional insured entity.
  • Have a bond with a minimum value of $5,000, and the bond must name the city or a third party as the obligee.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, scams carried out by repairmen on unsuspecting residents are prevalent. To help residents take precautionary steps before hiring a repairman, the State Attorney General urges homeowners to thoroughly research and ask the right questions before they hire a repairman. When looking for a reliable appliance repair service in Indianapolis, it's essential to check out the signs of a scam. Some of these include:

  • The technician estimates are on the high side, and they request a large down payment or full payment upfront.
  • The technician fails to follow proper procedures.
  • The technician is hesitant to provide you with referrals.
  • The technician uses high pressures tactics to get you to describe the extent of damage to your appliance.

Following the tips below can help ensure that you get the best possible service from a reliable appliance repairman in Indianapolis.

  • Get referrals of competent repairmen in the city from trusted sources like friends, family, and online sources like the Better Business Bureau and Google Review.
  • Make sure that you get and compare multiple estimates of different repairmen. Ensure that the written estimate includes the expected time frame for the repair and the technician's contact information.
  • Verify the insurance status of your intended repairmen before hiring them
  • Be wary of any repairman that is reluctant to give you letters of recommendation and verifiable references.
  • Avoid any repairman who requests that you pay upfront or make a large deposit as a down payment before they start working.
  • Review any contract you are asked to sign. Ensure you understand the terms of the documents before you sign.
  • Keep records of any documents, like warranties, contracts, and receipts used during the hire period.
  • Always verify that your repairman holds a valid IDBNS-issued contractor license if the appliance requiring repairs is a refrigerator, freezer, or any other home refrigeration system.

The Office of the Indiana Attorney General is dedicated to protecting the citizens of Indianapolis from unfair and deceptive business practices. As such, you can file complaints about any fraudulent appliance repairman with the Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General's Office online or by filling out and sending a consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Government Center South, 5th Floor
302 West. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204