n most cases, you’ll want an appliance repair technician to fix a washing machine. If your washer is still under a warranty, your best bet is to call the manufacturer first. They might send an approved technician to fix your appliance. 

Plumbers can sometimes repair certain problems with washing machines, like clogged or leaky drains and supply lines. However, they may not be able to help with mechanical or electrical problems.

Handymen can also often help with various washing machine problems, including mechanical or electrical problems, but they may not have the correct diagnostic equipment or be able to order original replacement parts directly from the manufacturer or approved supplier.

When contacting professional technicians near you, be sure to: 

• Find out if they have an appliance repair, plumbing or contractor’s license in your state. You can also check if they have certifications, like the National Appliance Service Technician Certification (NASTeC).

• Read their reviews and look for red flags. For example, avoid hiring a technician who has many complaints about their responsiveness, pricing and quality of work.

• Get quotes from several technicians so you can help ensure you’re paying a fair, reasonable price. The technicians may need to visit your home and inspect your washer first. This way, they can troubleshoot and diagnose the problem. The quotes provided should tell you how much labor and parts will cost.

Washing machine issues can have a variety of root causes, so a professional is often needed to accurately diagnose washing machine problems. Here are a few examples:

• If you notice water pooling beneath the washing machine, this could indicate problems with the drain line, leaks in the water lines or even a cracked drum.

• Washing machines that wobble, don't agitate or make loud banging noises could have a problem with the drum, the drum’s drive system, belts or pulleys.

• If the washing machine isn’t draining, the drain could be clogged, you may have a broken drain pump or you could have a malfunctioning electrical control panel.

• Malfunctioning electrical control panels can cause a variety of problems, including washers that won’t spin, agitate or properly fill or drain.

When your washing machine isn’t working, hire a professional to analyze the symptoms and find the issue.

The national average cost of washing machine repair is around $140 to $365,* according to Thumbtack data. How much you’ll spend will depend on the type of repair you need:

• Minor repairs generally include issues like replacing a hose, belt or valve. 

• Moderate repairs may include fixing or replacing motors, pumps or timers.

• Major repairs might entail replacing a transmission or electronic component.

Other common cost factors include the brand and age of the machine, labor costs in your area and the cost of parts.

In many cases, a washing repair service or professional will quote a service call fee plus the cost of the repair. You can ask if they will waive their service call fee if you hire them to perform the repair. 

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Repairs will depend on what's wrong with your washing machine. However, in general, washing machine repair isn’t a particularly disruptive process. Typically, you can expect the following:

• The technician will visit your home to diagnose the problem. From there, you’ll likely have a choice between going ahead with the repairs or replacing the machine. If the washing machine isn’t covered by a warranty, you may have to pay for the diagnostic.

• The technician will make the repairs. In many cases, the repair technician will arrive with the parts and tools needed. For many common repairs, they may be able to complete the work on the spot in just an hour or two.

• The technician will schedule repairs at a later time. For more complex repairs, the technician may need to order parts and then come back later to fix your washing machine.

During the repairs, your technician will likely need to access your breaker box and the plumbing shutoff valves located behind your machine to stop electricity and water from running to it. This is usually a simple matter of sliding the machine away from the wall to access the valves.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your washer:

• Do you have a warranty? If your washing machine is still under warranty, it’s probably best to have it repaired. Call the manufacturer, and they should send out an approved washing machine repair technician to assess whether repair or replacement is needed.

• How old is your washer? Washing machines have a lifespan of about five to 15 years. If yours is nearing this age, it may be best to replace it instead of paying for repair costs.

• Does your washer require frequent repairs? If you’re calling a repair technician several times a year, it may be time to get a new washing machine.

• How much does it cost to repair vs. replace your washer? If your washing machine doesn’t require much maintenance, get an estimate to see how much the repairs are likely to cost. If repairs are much less expensive than purchasing a new machine, you might be better off getting it fixed. But if the repair costs are expected to be close to replacement costs, you’re most likely better off replacing the washing machine.

When it comes to fixing a washing machine, there are a few timeframes to consider:

• The technician’s availability. If the washing machine technicians near you are fully booked, it may take a week or two for them to arrive at your home for diagnostics and repair. During off-peak times, repair technicians may be able to arrive as quickly as the next day.

• Repair difficulty. For simple fixes, the diagnostic and repair process is likely to take only an hour or two because many repair technicians carry commonly needed parts and tools in their trucks. If you have a less common make or model or a more complicated repair job, the technician will likely need to order parts, which could take a week or more to arrive. Once the technician has the parts needed for more complex repairs, the repair itself may take up to four hours.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

Homeowners who are handy with DIY projects may be able to make simple washing machine repairs themselves, but this is generally a job best left to the professionals. Here’s why:

• You might accidentally void your warranty. If your washing machine still has a warranty, you’ll almost certainly need to hire an authorized service technician. Working on the washing machine yourself or hiring someone who the manufacturer hasn’t authorized could void your warranty.

• You might not have the necessary parts and tools. Many pros will arrive with the tools and parts (drain pump filters, driver belts, wrench set, pliers, screwdriver, etc.) to make a quick repair. Pros with years of experience are familiar with the most common problems, so they typically stock the parts and materials they use most.

• Diagnosing the exact problem with a washing machine can be tricky. For example, if the drum isn’t turning, it could be because something is wrong with the motor, the drive shaft, the belts or one of the electronic parts that signals the machine’s cycles. Professionals can usually diagnose problems quickly, whereas DIYers may spend days (and money on unnecessary tools and parts) trying to find the exact cause of the problem.