Repair or replace your appliance?
There is no single age or percentage rule that makes the decision for every appliance. Start with a diagnosis, then compare the full repair option with the full replacement option.
Start with a confirmed fault
A symptom is not a repair estimate. A refrigerator that is warm, a washer that will not spin or an oven that will not bake can have several possible causes. Before comparing costs, identify the problem and the work required. Ask whether the estimate includes parts, labor and any return visit, and what happens if the diagnosis reveals another issue.
Compare the complete replacement cost
The shelf price is only one part of replacement. Delivery, installation, haul-away, matching dimensions and access can affect the total. A built-in appliance or stacked laundry arrangement can make replacement more involved. Compare the estimate with a replacement that actually fits your installation and needs.
Look at the appliance as a whole
Consider its general condition, earlier repairs, how well it met your needs before this problem, and whether parts can be obtained. A single repair on an otherwise useful appliance is a different decision from repeated failures on a machine with several problems. Age is context, not a diagnosis by itself.
Ask about the repair timeline
Parts availability can influence the decision, particularly when the appliance is needed every day. Ask whether the part is available, whether another appointment will be required and what is included in the quoted work. A lower estimate is not the whole picture if the proposed repair cannot be completed within a useful time.
Use an estimate you understand
Before authorizing work, ask what failed, how it was identified, which work is recommended and what terms apply. You should be able to explain the choice in everyday language. Lifeline can assess the appliance, explain the repair option and provide an estimate so you can make that comparison.