Let me start with this: I am not here to advertise my own business. But the truth is, my advice comes from running an appliance repair company, so I will be referencing my real-world experience a lot. That is the only kind of experience I have.
I have seen it happen countless times:
Someone comes, “fixes” your appliance, and two weeks later the same problem is back, but now the company has vanished.
Someone takes a deposit and disappears.
Someone shows up, says “we don’t work on this model,” charges a call-out fee, and leaves.
That is why I decided to put myself in the shoes of an average customer, forget for a moment that I do this for a living, and share exactly how I would choose a repair tech if I needed my own appliance fixed.
Step 1. Decide what type of company you want
First question: Do you want a large company or a local independent tech?
With a big company, you get dispatchers, dozens of technicians, and probably a different person every time you call. They often focus more on upselling services than on actually fixing your appliance.
A small local business is usually one or a few technicians who answer the phone themselves (or have a spouse or relative doing it). You tend to get more personal attention and accountability.
But here is the catch: these days, it is trendy for small operations to masquerade as large brands. The name might sound like “BigCountry Appliance Repair,” but behind the scenes it is just two or three people.
And here is my point: Why does your washer, dryer, or even refrigerator need a multinational or regional company with 50 employees, or even 15? Think about it.
When I needed roof work done, I was looking for one normal roofer who could come out, look at my roof, and say, “I will patch here and here, and you will be fine.”
Instead, I kept running into big companies. They would show up in a pack with multiple workers, an inspector, sometimes even a “customer relations” guy. And the pitch was always the same: “Your roof is in terrible shape. We need to replace it entirely. That will be $35,000.”
All I wanted was one honest guy to say, “We can fix this part, but yes, that section needs replacement.” Appliance repair is the same: you need a tech, not a corporate sales department.
Step 2. Where to look
Word of mouth
The best way is always when someone you trust has already used a technician and was happy with the service. If that is not an option, keep going.
Social media
Almost every company has a page somewhere, but a lot of them are abandoned. Messaging them directly? Good luck getting a fast response. You can also try asking in local Facebook or Nextdoor groups; sometimes that works.
Online directories
Most directories do not just list companies that signed up. They actively scrape the internet to “keep their database fresh.” I have found my own company listed in many places I never submitted to. This does not mean the company even knows their profile exists.
Lead generators
Yelp, Angi, Thumbtack – understand this: these are not curated lists of the “best” pros. Their business model is selling ads and impressions. The higher you pay, the more visible you are, and skill or quality come second.
Google search
Still the most universal tool. Type something like “refrigerator repair near me” and you will get a list of companies. Just remember, Google usually sorts by proximity, not quality.
Step 3. What to look for in reviews
Here is how I would read them:
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All 5-star reviews, no complaints? Suspicious. No one is perfect.
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Review volume: Around 50 reviews a year is normal. 100 a month is almost guaranteed fake.
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History: If they claim 20 years in business but their first review is from 3 years ago, you can figure that one out.
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Content: Real reviews vary in style, tone, and detail. Fake ones often sound alike, overly polished, and vague.
Step 4. Check licenses and insurance
Any reputable company, even if it is one person, should have a website with their license, proof of insurance, and UBI number right there.
On my own site, those words are underlined. Click them, and you see the documents. For example:
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Certificate / License – View example here
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Business Insurance – View example here
If they do not have a site, they should provide this info upon request. And do not be fooled by “Christmas tree” websites full of shiny badges, gold-framed certificates, and fancy slogans.
You need just two things:
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UBI number – lets you verify their registration, license status, lawsuits, and insurance through state resources.
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Business insurance – proof they can cover any damages if something goes wrong.
Everything else is smoke and mirrors.
Step 5. Evaluate scheduling and workload
Let us say you have picked 3 or 4 companies and start calling. Then you hear:
“Earliest appointment? About a month out. Maybe six weeks.”
I live with appliances daily. I know firsthand that being without one for even a week is a pain. A month? Not happening. Even with a warranty or insurance, most people do not wait. They call someone who can come quickly.
In my experience, if they are quoting long wait times, it is either:
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A marketing tactic to create “high demand” so they can sell you a pricey emergency slot.
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A genuine scheduling mess inside their company.
I had a similar situation with an attorney once. The first one, well-known and reputable, told me: “Leave your file, I will get to it when I have time.” I could tell right away my case was not important to him.
I went to another lawyer. He met me at the door, listened right away, and got to work immediately. When the court date came, I walked in and he was already there, coming out of the judge’s chambers, shaking my hand with a smile:
“It is done.”
That is how appliance repair should be too – choose the one who is ready to help now, not “sometime later.”
Step 6. First impressions when the tech arrives
If I were waiting for a tech, I would peek out the window first. See what they are driving.
A van with company logos – good sign.
An unmarked sedan – not necessarily bad, but worth noting. If they have been in business a while, they have probably invested in a work van.
Pickup trucks are trickier. For appliance repair, they are less practical. It rains a lot here, and rummaging through a truck bed for tools or parts in the rain is not fun.
Logos and decals matter. It shows they are willing to put their name on their work, literally. No markings at all? Fair question: why not?
When they walk in, I would stick around for the first five minutes, just to show I care about the process. After that, I would back off. From experience, having a customer hover over your shoulder is distracting and slows things down.
Bottom line
The most reliable companies have:
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Real reviews with a track record.
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A valid license and business insurance (if they do not have these – walk away, no exceptions).
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Reasonable scheduling.
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A clear structure and willingness to work on your problem.
And above all, choose people who genuinely want to help you, not just look busy.
