Finding the best appliance repair technicians in San Francisco starts with performing an online search. This will give you access to customer ratings and reviews for the top pros in your area. 

Read the customer reviews and view the photos carefully. You’ll want to make sure the pros you’re considering have experience repairing your appliances, so look for photos of refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, vacuums, washing machines, dryers, microwaves and more.

Next, find out if the appliance repair technicians have any credentials. You can search for pros who have major appliance licenses through California’s Department of Consumer Affairs. Or, you can check contractor licenses via the Contractors State License Board.

After you’ve selected several pros, start requesting free estimates. Once you’ve received quotes from at least three to five pros, compare them. Choose an appliance repair technician who charges fair, competitive prices and has mostly positive reviews and ratings.

There are a number of different appliances that professionals can install for you, including:

• Washers and dryers. These machines are heavy and very sensitive to being level and balanced, and also require hookups to water, electricity and sometimes gas or propane.
• Cooking ranges. Your range may use propane or gas, which is a hookup job best left to the pros.
• Microwaves. You may want to have your microwave be an undermount or in-mounted unit, which a pro can install and make it look seamless.
• Refrigerators. These are heavy and often require a water hookup.
• And more!

Reach out to an appliance installation service, and find out if they can install your appliance. Often, it’s helpful to provide the brand and model of the appliance you’re trying to set up.

There are several perks to having a professional install your appliances, including:

• Hiring a pro saves you time and money. If it breaks down, the service person who sold and installed the machine can fulfill its warranty. However, this warranty could be void if you install it incorrectly.
• It will work reliably. Many appliances like ranges and laundry machines rely on being on level surfaces as well as having potentially dangerous hookups installed correctly. 
• You can get repair and maintenance support. If something isn’t working or you want advice, you can call up your installer and ask if they can help you troubleshoot or repair it.

Installing a new appliance costs $125, on average. However, homeowners should expect to pay within the range of $120 to $150. 

For less complex appliance installations, you may pay a low-end cost ranging between $65 and $100. On the other hand, more complex appliances like laundry machines, ranges and other items can cost between $175 and $326 to install. Ask whichever appliance installation service you hire to give you a price quote, if possible.

You can tip appliance installers if you feel their service has gone above and beyond. A standard tip is between $10 and $20. 

Reasons you might consider tipping include a very pleasant customer service demeanor, having to carry a heavy appliance up or down the stairs, working in inclement weather, taking care not to make a mess and other acts of care and consideration. You are not obligated to leave a tip — but one is always appreciated.

A kitchen remodel is one of the most important investments you can make in your home, and it’s critical to get the details right; that’s where a home renovation contractor comes in. A minor remodel usually includes new cabinet faces and hardware, replacement appliances, and paint, while an extensive job may enlarge the kitchen’s square footage, install new cabinets or an island, change the layout, and lay new tile or hardwood floors. Any renovation that includes filing permits, construction, or electrical or plumbing work is best completed by an experienced contractor who knows local codes.

To find an appliance installer near you, start searching on Thumbtack. This way, you see a list of nearby pros offering services and compare based on their customer review, ratings and profile pages. You can also find customer-uploaded photos showing pictures of the pro’s work. 

Check for licensing requirements in your state, and make sure whoever you work with abides by them. Finally, contact several different pros to compare their rates.