Before the visit: what to have ready
A few minutes of prep before your appointment genuinely speeds up the diagnostic process. Know the appliance's brand and, if possible, the model number (usually on a sticker inside the door, on the back, or on the bottom of the unit). Be ready to describe exactly what's happening — not just "it's not working" but specifics: does it make noise, does it run but not produce heat or cold, does the issue happen every time or intermittently, and when did you first notice it.
Clear a reasonable amount of space around the appliance if you can — technicians often need to pull a refrigerator or washer away from the wall, or access the back or bottom of the unit, and a clear path makes the visit faster.
The $89 service call fee, explained plainly
This flat fee covers the technician's visit and full diagnostic process — it's the same $89 whether the appliance turns out to need a five-dollar part or a major component. It is not a deposit toward a repair, and it is not refunded if you decide not to proceed with a suggested repair; it's payment for the diagnostic visit itself, which you receive regardless of what you decide afterward.
What happens during the visit
Your technician starts by asking you to describe the issue directly, even if you already explained it when booking — details can get lost between scheduling and the actual visit, and a firsthand description often includes small details that matter. From there, the technician runs through a structured diagnostic process specific to the appliance and symptom, which might include visual inspection, multimeter testing of electrical components, checking water or gas connections, or running a test cycle.
Getting your exact price
Once the cause is identified, your technician tells you the exact repair price — parts and labor combined — before doing any repair work. This is the point where you decide whether to proceed. There's no pressure to commit on the spot, and no surprise additions once work has started; the price quoted after diagnosis is the price you pay if you approve the repair.
If a part needs to be ordered
Many common repairs use parts stocked directly on our service vehicles, so the repair happens in the same visit as the diagnosis. If your specific model needs a less common part, your technician will tell you honestly, give you a realistic timeline, and schedule the follow-up visit to complete the repair once the part arrives.
After the repair
Once a repair is completed, your technician tests the appliance to confirm the fix worked as expected before considering the job done — not just replacing a part and leaving, but verifying the actual symptom is resolved.
If you're dealing with an appliance issue anywhere in our Charleston-area coverage, booking the $89 diagnostic visit is the most direct way to get a real answer and a real price, rather than guessing at either.