Appliances die at the most inconvenient moments. A repair tech who can come out same-day, diagnose accurately, and tell you honestly when it's better to replace than fix is gold.
What appliance repair covers
- Washing machines (front-load and top-load) — bearings, drains, programmer boards
- Tumble dryers — heating elements, belts, sensors
- Dishwashers — pumps, heaters, leaks
- Fridges and freezers — gas leaks, compressor failures, defrost cycles
- Ovens, hobs, microwaves
- Geysers (often overlaps with plumbing)
- Tumble dryers and washer-dryer combos
What appliance repair costs in South Africa (2026)
Callout fees are R400-R750 (often credited to the repair if you go ahead). Diagnosis fees R200-R400. Common repairs: washing-machine bearing replacement R1,800-R3,500; dishwasher pump R900-R1,800; oven element R600-R1,200; fridge re-gas R1,200-R2,200. As a rule of thumb, if the repair quote is more than 50% of replacement cost on a unit older than 7 years, replace it. A good tech will say so.
What to look for
- Brand-specific experience — Bosch, Defy, LG, Samsung all have quirks.
- Original-parts policy — generic spares are cheaper but often shorten lifespan.
- Warranty on the repair — 3-12 months is industry standard.
- Honest "replace it" advice when a fix isn't economical.
On Handi-za, appliance pros list the brands they specialise in. Filter by your appliance type, post the job with model number and symptom, and get the right person on first attempt.