8 Steps to Find the Right Pro For Your Dishwasher Repair

Repairing your dishwasher could be as simple as cleaning out the drain. Unfortunately, it can also be much more complex. When your own DIY skills are at an end, chances are you are looking for a professional’s help. After all, anyone who has become used to the comforts of a dishwasher is hesitant to go back to washing dishes by hand in the future.

Of course, the realization that you need an expert’s help is only the beginning. Next, you have to make sure that the right dishwasher repair pro actually comes to your home and fixes your problem. To help you get started in that regard, consider these 8 steps to find someone who can actually help you at a reasonable price.

1) Start with a Broad Search

First, it’s important to cast a broad net. You have to make sure that you keep all possibilities in mind as you look for the right professional. A simple Google search might be all you need to get started.

Here, organization is key. Write down or create a spreadsheet with the professionals you find. That way, you can start to make notes for any of the points below. By the time you’re done with your research, you’ll know that you have explored all options in your search for the right dishwasher expert.

2) Prioritize Local Businesses

From the initial list, cross out any businesses that are not local to your area. That’s important for multiple reasons. First, someone who is not familiar with working in your area might not help you because they don’t know the hardness of the water or any other, similar factors. Second, pros who have to travel from further away will likely push you back in your schedule, delaying the process entirely.

Obviously, neither is the ideal outcome for this type of project. Focusing on local businesses means that you prevent both, instead limiting your search to experts who can help you the right way and on time.

3) Understand the Problem (or Symptom)

 At this point, you have a decent list of businesses who can help you. Making sure their expertise is right is your next step. That means starting with one thing above all: making sure you understand what problems your dishwasher is actually having.

If you don’t know the problem, at least be able to describe the exact symptoms. That way, you can match your problem to the repair expert’s expertise, and you can describe your problem easily to answer any questions by the time you get on the phone with them.

4) Look for Authentic Testimonials and Reviews

Never underestimate the importance of third-party proof. Everyone can claim that they’re an expert. Only when others start verifying that is actually the same thing can you begin to trust those claims and entrust the professional with the work in your home.

Testimonials on the service’s website are a great start. But don’t end there. Instead, seek out independent reviews on pages like HomeAdvisor, Better Business Bureau, and AngiesList. When the statements made here, over which the company has no influence, match up with the professionals’ claims, you know you’ll be in good hands. 

5) Get Personal Recommendations

Getting third-party reviews can be a good way to quantify reputability for the companies you’re considering. It doesn’t have to be the only way. Everyone has a dishwasher at home, and chances are most of them have needed them to be repaired at one point. Why not tap into their experiences?

Talk to your friends and family about local repair professionals. If they’ve had a good experience, chances are they remember or can look up the name. Then, compare those experiences with your own list, and the reviews you’ve found. Again, you’re looking for the overlap between these two factors.

6) Look for Financing Options

Dishwasher repair should never get more expensive than it would be to buy a new appliance. Still, you might not have $200 or $300 laying around once a professional actually finds the problem and proposes a solution to fix it.If you don’t want to be hit with unexpected costs, that means making sure the pro you work with can take care of you from the start. For instance, look at firms that offer financing options for all of their repair services. Should the repair be more than expected, you know you can get financing and still be able to afford it.

7) Build a Short List of 2-3 Companies

Based on all of these factors above, build a shortlist of companies that fit all parameters as needed. Ideally, that shortlist should consist of no more than two to three companies. That way, you don’t get confused or overworked while still finding someone who will be able to get the job done.

Call these two to three companies at your earliest convenience. Double-check that they are able to service your area, and describe your problem to get their feedback. Make sure they are licensed and insured to cover yourself in the event of an accident or mishap.

8) Get the First Available Pro in Your Home

Finally, it’s time to make the decision. Here, you can go one of two ways:

• Go with the firm that makes the best impression on the phone. This will leave you feeling good, but could delay the process based on their workload.
• Go with the first available firm. In this scenario, you trust your previous research. The problem gets fixed earlier, and you can begin to use your dishwasher again at your earliest convenience.

More often than not, the latter is your best bet. That way, you can make sure that the problem gets taken care of as early as possible. Still, it comes down to finding the right professional, and that requires contact with every potential option. We want to help you fix your dishwasher. In fact, our expertise could be beneficial to you. Contact us to learn about our services, and ask the questions you need to make sure we can work together on repairing this important appliance.