Get Quotes from Top Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City, OK
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City
Appliance repairmen in Oklahoma City charge $15.61 per hour to fix your faulty household appliance. Hiring a professional appliance repairer to fix your faulty refrigerator, air conditioner, washer, microwave, or electric water heater not only saves you money and time, it also protects you from a variety of bodily injuries that could result from attempting to repair the faulty appliance on your own. While hiring a professional appliance repairer has a lot of advantages, it is very crucial to make sure that your preferred appliance repairer is competent enough to do the work. As a result, you should always ask the following questions to ensure that you pick an appliance repairer who has the appropriate expertise and tools to effectively perform the repair:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
- Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in Oklahoma City?
- Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?
- What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?
- How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City
Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City?
There are no specific licensing requirements for anyone operating under the title of an appliance repair man in Oklahoma. However, an appliance repair man in the city may need to apply for and obtain both the appropriate state and locally-issued contractor's license before they can provide specific appliance repair services in the city. For instance, anyone who wishes to carry out appliance repairs on refrigeration and air conditioning systems must obtain a mechanical contractor license from the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board. As a result, before hiring an appliance repairman to work on your refrigeration and air conditioning systems, it is always wise to verify the individual's license status. Homeowners can verify a technician's mechanical contractor license by utilizing the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board's licensee search portal.
To obtain a mechanical contractor license, appliance repair men must file an application alongside the application and examination fee. In addition, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, provide proof of experience in the mechanical trade, and comply with the insurance requirements stipulated by the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board. Applicants can complete their application by downloading, completing, and sending a mechanical license application form to the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board at:
2401 Northwest 23rdSuite 2F
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
For more information concerning the requirements and process of obtaining a mechanical contractor license, call the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board at (405) 521-6650. Note that individuals who have obtained a state level mechanical contractor license will additionally be required to register with the Oklahoma City Development Services Department. Queries concerning the registration process can be directed to the city's Development Services Department at (405) 297-2606.
Finally, appliance repairmen in the city may voluntarily obtain appliance repair-related certifications from reputable trade associations despite obtaining the appropriate contractor license from the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board. Trade associations that issue voluntary appliance repair-related certifications include the International Society of Electronics Technicians, the United Appliance Servicers Association, and the Professional Service Association.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
Home appliance repairers in Oklahoma City charge $15.61 per hour. However, most appliance repair men in the city decide what will be the total cost of repairs after considering the nature of repair that is needed, the extent of the damage, and the amount of time required to complete the repair. It is important to note that each repairman may charge more than the average hourly cost for repairs in Oklahoma City. As a result, homeowners are encouraged to compare prices from different appliance repair men before choosing the best for the job.
Asking at least three separate appliance repairmen to submit estimates for the job is the best approach to compare pricing. As a homeowner, collecting and comparing multiple estimates for your repair will not only help you distinguish between the actual cost of repair and additional costs, but it will also help you avoid overpaying for the service.
Appliance repair men in Oklahoma City earn an average annual wage of $32,460. Provided below is a comparison of the hourly average wage for appliance repair men in Oklahoma City with those of these technicians in other areas of Oklahoma and several other locations across the United States:
Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in Oklahoma City?
Before hiring anyone to carry out appliance repair services in Oklahoma City, it is always good to ask if the individual is factory-authorized or not. Factory-authorized repairers are professionals who have been cleared by an appliance manufacturer to repair and service their brand of product. These professionals typically undergo specialized training from an appliance manufacturer and they have access to the manufacturer's support team, as well as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts to perform quality repairs.
Compared to non factory-authorized repairers, factory-authorized repairers also undergo different levels of background checks before they are cleared to work and they are generally more familiar with your appliance warranty policies than their counterparts. As such, hiring a factory-authorized repairer when your appliance warranty is still active is another way to ensure that you do not violate the terms and condition of the warranty.
While there are numerous benefits of hiring a factory-authorized repairer, you must understand that non factory-authorized repairers are also trained to repair and service your equipment adequately. Furthermore, some non factory-authorized workers are certified by reputable trade associations, making them professionals in the services they provide.
Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?
Appliance repairs involve doing everything to make sure a faulty or broken appliance starts working again. Mostimes, this can include purchasing and replacing damaged parts and accessories. As a homeowner, it is in your best interest to ask your potential repairer if your broken appliance requires replacement of parts and accessories. In addition, you should also ask if the repairer will be making use of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts or accessories for the repair before signing an agreement with them. This is particularly important because OEM parts are stronger and more efficient than generic parts.
Note that OEM parts are specifically designed and created by an appliance manufacturer to facilitate the repair and service of their brand of products, whereas generic parts are produced by third-party companies, and may not be built to your appliance specifications.
Appliance repairers can purchase OEM parts directly from the manufacturer, online, or in large repair shops on behalf of homeowners. However, homeowners must understand that OEM parts always come with a warranty, and it is in their best interest to carefully read the terms of the warranty before approving the purchase.
Although it is more beneficial to use OEM parts for repairs, it is important to note that these parts may not always be available in the market. This may happen when the manufacturer of the part stops producing the needed parts. In this circumstance, your appliance repairer may have no other alternative than to use generic parts provided that these parts can complete the repair effectively.
What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?
Appliance repair men in Oklahoma City offer a variety of repair services on a wide range of home appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners, microwaves, and trash compactors. However, before hiring an appliance repair man to work on any of the aforementioned appliances, you should always find out if the individual specializes in repairing and servicing the specific home appliance that is faulty.
You can ensure that your preferred appliance repairman specializes in repairing and servicing your type and brand of appliance by asking about their years of experience and on-the-job training. In addition, you should ask the repairer if they are factory-authorized or certified by any trade association. Do not hesitate to look for another repairer if the appliance repair you are considering does not provide satisfactory answers to the aforementioned questions.
However, if the repairer provides answers with proof to these questions, you can proceed to discussing the cost of the repair before signing an agreement. Ask the repairer what they charge for the services you need and if there is a payment structure for the work. This will help ensure that you do not pay more than what is necessary for the repairs.
Listed below are cost estimates for some of the most regularly requested appliance repair services in Oklahoma City:
How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?
While it is always best to employ a qualified professional to handle your appliance repair, bear in mind that even when a qualified specialist is on the job, things might go wrong. An appliance repair has gone wrong when the appliance that was repaired remains the same or develops a new problem.
As a homeowner, how you handle the issue is largely dependent on whether the technician acted fairly and on what the service contract says. Note that if the appliance repairman adhered to the terms of the contract and the normal repair technique, you may not be entitled to any form of compensation from them. On the other hand, if you suspect that the appliance repairer was negligent during the work or they failed to keep to any part of the agreement, you can seek help from reputable third-party websites like Better Business Bureau. The BBB serving the Oklahoma City area is located at:
17 South Dewey AvenueOklahoma City, OK 73102-2400
Likewise, if you suspect fraudulent behavior on the part of the repairer, do not hesitate to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General by downloading a consumer complaint form. Having completed the form, complainants are required to save the form as a pdf before sending it via email with complaint in the subject line.
The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General resolves consumer complaints over the phone by a consumer representative or through a written mediation process. Through this process, the office returns tens of thousands of dollars in refunds to consumers every year.
However, if you are not satisfied with the mediation process or the compensation recommended by the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General via its Consumer Protection Unit, you should consider taking a legal action against the repairer in the court. Lawsuits involving a total of $10,000 or less can be filed as small claims at the Oklahoma County District Court.
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
In Oklahoma City, there are no specific insurance requirements for appliance repair men. However, any appliance repairman that intends to engage in repairs involving major electrical or mechanical systems must meet the insurance requirements of the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board before they can obtain a license for such work. For example, anyone applying for a mechanical contractor license must hold a minimum general liability policy of $50,000. For more information concerning insurance requirements for electrical and mechanical contractor licenses contact the Oklahoma Construction Industry Board at (405) 521-6650.
Although most appliance repair jobs do not mandatorily require the repairer to hold the aforementioned insurance policy, it is always wise to hire an appliance repairman that is insured. As a homeowner, you should bear in mind that appliance repair may result in property damage, death, and serious bodily injuries such as fractures, heat burns, and sprain. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home appliance repair men across the United States recorded a total of 1,000 nonfatal occupational injuries, in 2020 alone. Note that you may be forced to deal with the financial liabilities associated with an injury that occurred during your work if the repairer is not insured.
The only way to protect yourself from the financial liabilities that often come with injuries or property damage that occurs during your work is by hiring a repairman that is insured. You can ensure that your preferred repairer is insured by asking them to provide proof of insurance and contacting the company that issued the document to confirm the repairer's insurance status.
Every year, the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General processes and mediates thousands of consumer complaints, including appliance repair scams via its Consumer Protection Unit. Even though through this process, the state Consumer Protection Unit returns tens of thousands of dollars in refunds to consumers annually, there is no guarantee that every victim of appliance repair scam will get their money back.
In June 2019, the Oklahoma Attorney General Office declared a contractor wanted for home repair fraud and embezzlement. According to News9, the contractor is on the run after stealing just over $40,000 from his reported victims by demanding upfront payments for the repairs. Unfortunately, some or most of the victims may not recover all their money even if the contractor is arrested in the future. As a result, homeowners are encouraged to take their time in evaluating the appliance repair man they intend to hire before signing any agreement with them.
Homeowners can also avoid appliance repair scams by taking the following precautionary steps:
- Ask people you trust for the name of a reliable appliance repairer
- Always use locally established companies and do not hire any repairer that do not have a physical business address
- Compare prices from different appliance repairmen before hiring one
- Always ensure that the service you need is not exclusively reserved for licensed professionals. If it is, make sure that the individual you are hiring is licensed by the appropriate agency
- Check reputable third-party websites such as Better Business Bureau for reviews on the repairer
- Make sure that the appliance repair man is insured
- Always try to obtain written statements and receipts for the job
- Be cautious of any business who requires up-front payment or cash payment
- Do not rush into a deal you are not comfortable with
Victims of appliance repair scams can file a complaint with Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General by downloading a consumer complaint form. Once the form is completed, complainants are required to save the form as a pdf before sending it via email with complaint in the subject line.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as an Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
- Are You Certified by the Manufacturer to Repair the Appliance in Oklahoma City?
- Will You Get the Appliance Parts and Accessories Required by the Manufacturer?
- What Kind of Appliance Repair Services Do You Offer?
- How Do You Handle Issues of Product Repairs Going Wrong?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Appliance Repair Services in Oklahoma City?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Appliance Repair Service in Oklahoma City