As always seems to be the case with anything around the home, whether it's the TV, the washing machine or the dishwasher, everything seems to be working perfectly until you're no longer covered.
When things do start to go wrong what choices do you have? Well, firstly there's buying a replacement but this is often an expensive option, especially if the appliance is only a couple of years old. Plus, this is unlikely to be many peoples first choice given the current economic downturn. Alternatively, you could go back to the retailer to arrange a repair but in most cases this won't be a cost effective option as the majority of manufacturers still routinely charge hefty call-out fees with additional charges for parts on top.
Thankfully there are other, more frugal, options available. One way of saving money when it comes to home repairs is to do them yourself. Websites like www.buyspares.co.uk offer a great selection of spare parts for many home appliances including tumble dryers, dishwashers, cookers and vacuum cleaners. The majority of spare parts are straight-forward to fit and relatively inexpensive, for example if your washing machine requires a new door seal a DIY replacement is unlikely to cost more than £20.
Those less keen to tackle repairs themselves can also save money by opting for a fixed price repair. The recently launched home repair service from www.repaircare.co.uk offers repairs on most domestic appliances including washing machines, fridges, freezers and extractor fans for a fixed fee. Prices range from £70 to £150, depending on the appliance type and brand, and include call out, evaluation, labour, parts if required and a professional safety check.
Do-it-yourself repairs and fixed priced services enable the lifespan of domestic appliances to be expanded beyond the warranty period and are a great way to save money and take the hassle out of appliance faults.
