How to find the most reliable repair service in the area?

The appliances we take for granted — dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers and ovens — often break down at the worst possible times. Like right before a dinner party or a holiday get-together. That’s when a good repair service can save a lot of grief — and money.

When you want to find a reliable repair service in San Diego, first check if the appliance is still under warranty. If it is, you’ll be limited to factory-authorized shops. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t necessarily pick the best companies to perform their warranty repairs. Manufacturers rarely, if ever, check on the quality of their authorized shops, and those that do conduct only occasional cursory reviews. Stores performing warranty repairs get far lower ratings from their customers than stores that don’t do it.

And then you may have a decision to make: To repair or replace? It’s not always a clear-cut decision.

If you have an appliance that is seven years old, and it has an average life span of 12 years, it’s very likely to work well beyond that average figure. Also, don’t assume that because one component of an appliance breaks means that others will soon follow. The appliance may last years without any further problems. Also factor in your usage — if you only do a few loads of laundry a week, the washer/dryer is apt to last longer than average.