--- title: "Washing Machine Repair vs. Replacement: Cost Breakdown" description: Should you repair your washing machine or replace it? Learn more about washing machine repair vs. replacement and how to understand the cost breakdown. image: https://blog.puls.com/hubfs/20181204-Puls-0148-1.jpg --- - [Book a Service](https://puls.com/book-a-service) - Our Services - [Smartphone Repair](https://puls.com/phone-repair) - [TV Mounting](https://puls.com/tv-mounting) - [Home Appliances](https://puls.com/home-appliances) - [Garage Door Repairs](https://puls.com/garage-doors) - [Plumbing Services](https://puls.com/plumbing) - [Smart Home Installation](https://puls.com/smart-home) - [Security System Setup](https://puls.com/simplisafe) - [Pricing](https://puls.com/pricing) - [How it Works](https://puls.com/how-it-works) - [About Us](https://puls.com/about) - [Become a Tech](https://puls.com/join) - [Blog](https://blog.puls.com) - [Home](https://puls.com/) [![Logo - no padding.png](https://blog.puls.com/hs-fs/hubfs/puls-logo.png?width=146&height=76&name=puls-logo.png "Logo - no padding.png")](https://puls.com) - Our Services - [Home Appliances](https://puls.com/home-appliances) - [TV Mounting](https://puls.com/tv-mounting) - [Handyman Services](https://puls.com/handyman) - [Garage Doors](https://puls.com/garage-doors) - [Plumbing Services](https://puls.com/plumbing) - [Smart Home Installation](https://puls.com/smart-home) - [Pricing](https://puls.com/pricing) - [Warranty](https://puls.com/membership) - [Info Hub](https://blog.puls.com/) - [Become a Tech](https://puls.com/join) - [Real Estate](https://puls.com/lp/real-estate-portal) [Book a service](https://puls.com/book-a-service) [Get **$30 off** any home service with code: ptake30. **Book Now**](http://puls.com/book-a-service?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=top_bar&utm_campaign=ptake30&utm_term=null&utm_content=null) - [Home Appliances](https://blog.puls.com/topic/home-appliances) # Washing Machine Repair vs. Replacement: Cost Breakdown [![offer\_banner\_mobile](https://blog.puls.com/hubfs/offer_banner_mobile.jpg "offer_banner_mobile")](http://puls.com/book-a-service?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=ptake30&utm_term=null&utm_content=null) - [Home Appliances (161)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-appliances) - [Home Maintenance (148)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-maintenance) - [Home Care (72)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-care) - [Smartphone (67)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/smartphone) - [Puls News & Insights (53)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/puls-news-insights) - [Home Warranty (51)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-warranty) - [TV Mounting (48)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/tv-mounting) - [Housing Market (38)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/housing-market) - [Appliance Protection Plan (23)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/appliance-protection-plan) - [Handyman (22)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/handyman) - [Real Estate (22)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/real-estate) - [Property Managers (19)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/property-managers) - [Plumbing (18)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/plumbing) - [Garage Doors (16)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/garage-doors) - [Appliance Repair (9)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/appliance-repair) - [HVAC (8)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/hvac) - - - [All Posts](https://blog.puls.com) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) No one is under the illusion that a [washing machine](https://info.puls.com/resources/washing-machine) will last forever, but a broken one always brings up the eternal question: should it stay or should it go? In this era of so many single-use products, we’ve become pretty accustomed to just replacing our appliances when they break down, so we don’t have to deal with figuring out what’s wrong with it or coughing up the repair expenses. However, there’s something to be said about extending the life of your washing machine by repairing it instead of hauling it off to the nearest dumpster. For one, [landfills are filling](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-20/repair-or-replace-broken-washing-machines/8957918) at an alarming rate—and anything we can do to curb their growth is certainly worthwhile. For another, picking out a new washing machine can be pretty daunting (and not to mention expensive). All that said, there does unfortunately come a time in a washing machine’s life where the cost of repairing is no longer reasonable enough to justify keeping it, and it will inevitably need to be replaced at some point in time. But how do you know when that point is? Let’s go over the cost breakdown of repairing versus replacing a washing machine. [![Fix my washing machine](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4039866/416ba3e7-ef30-475e-8fed-a54d3656dbad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4039866/416ba3e7-ef30-475e-8fed-a54d3656dbad) ## First, Know the Lifespan of a Washing Machine ![washing machine full of clothes](https://blog.puls.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_744609352-1.jpg?width=1000&name=shutterstock_744609352-1.jpg)Every appliance in your home has a [lifespan](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/a19337/repair-or-replace-appliances/). An appliance is only good for so long, and after it has passed its official lifespan, consider yourself living on borrowed time. So, what is the lifespan of a washing machine? Experts say it’s around 11 years on average, depending on the model and how well you have taken care of it. Chances are, if you routinely [maintain your washing machine](https://info.puls.com/resources/washing-machine) by replacing the water hose, don’t overload your machine, clean out the lint filter and measure out your laundry detergent correctly, your washing machine should last as long as its intended lifespan (if not longer). ## Go by the 50% Rule ![turning on washing machine](https://blog.puls.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_748840489-1.jpg?width=1000&name=shutterstock_748840489-1.jpg)There’s a good rule of thumb when it comes to debating replacing or repairing anything in your home called the 50% rule. Basically, it works like this: your repair shouldn’t cost more than 50% of the cost of replacing the entire machine. So, for instance, if your washing machine has a faulty transmission and the repair is going to be $400, you might be better off replacing it—considering that the average cost to buy a new front-loading washing machine starts at about [$700](https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-do-home-appliances-cost.htm). Smaller repairs like replacing a rubber door gasket on a front-loading machine or fixing a jammed drain pump are likely to be less expensive and are worth fixing so that you can keep your washing machine going. Whether you’re looking for a way to be environmentally friendly or you just want to avoid the pain of re-installation, it’s always worth it to look into repairs first before you consider replacing it.  ## What it Costs to Repair a Washing Machine ![Puls washing machine repair](https://blog.puls.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20181204-Puls-0175%20(2)-1.jpg?width=1000&name=20181204-Puls-0175%20(2)-1.jpg)Now that you have an idea of where your breaking point is of replacing it versus repairing, you’ll now want to have a ballpark of what it’s actually going to cost to repair it. The cost, of course, can depend on what exactly is wrong with your washing machine and how expensive it will be to replace any necessary parts (this will largely depend on how old your washing machine is). Some of the most common repairs that need to be made to the washing machine are the following: - Replacing the rubber door gasket - Fixing a lid switch failure on a top-loading machine - Jammed drain pump - Broken belt - Faulty transmission - Motor failure The average cost of repairing a washing machine ranges pretty widely, starting out at $51 minimum and $350 maximum. This number can go up if the repairs are significant—such as repairs that need to be made to the transmission or the motor, which can be as high as $400. However, at [Puls](https://puls.com/home-appliances) we decided to make things simple. Our repairs start at $99, and we provide a complete in-home washing machine inspection for $79 (which is waived if you decide to proceed with the repair). ## Puls Makes Washing Machine Repair a Breeze ![washing machine repair service by Puls](https://blog.puls.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20181204-Puls-0148-1.jpg?width=1000&name=20181204-Puls-0148-1.jpg)If your washing machine needs some professional attention, our expert team of appliance technicians are ready to provide you with fast [repair services](https://puls.com/home-appliances)—even as soon as the same day as you book the appointment. All of our technicians are trained to work on all washing machine brands and models, with extensive experience in the appliance repair industry. Plus, we include a [90-day guarantee](https://puls.com/guarantee) on all parts and labor, which helps you breathe a little easier once the technician pulls away from your home. So, what are you waiting for? [Book an appointment](https://puls.com/home-appliances) with Puls today and get your washing machine back in working order in no time. [![Fix my washing machine](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4039866/416ba3e7-ef30-475e-8fed-a54d3656dbad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4039866/416ba3e7-ef30-475e-8fed-a54d3656dbad) ![Jamie B.](https://blog.puls.com/hubfs/Jamie%20Birdwell-Branson%20profile.jpg) Jamie B. Jamie Birdwell-Branson is a professional writer whose work has appeared on nationally-recognized sites, including Elle Decor, Zillow, BobVila.com, InStyle and others. She has been a Puls staff writer since 2018. When she's not writing for Puls she is either setting up Google alerts for flights to Europe, antiquing, or attempting to fix things in her 1940s Colonial-style house. ![Search](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2029673/Assets/Search_Image.png) [![offer\_banner\_desk](https://blog.puls.com/hubfs/offer_banner_desk.jpg "offer_banner_desk")](http://puls.com/book-a-service?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=ptake30&utm_term=null&utm_content=null) - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Recent Posts ### Lists by Topic - [Home Appliances (161)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-appliances) - [Home Maintenance (148)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-maintenance) - [Home Care (72)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-care) - [Smartphone (67)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/smartphone) - [Puls News & Insights (53)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/puls-news-insights) - [Home Warranty (51)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-warranty) - [TV Mounting (48)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/tv-mounting) - [Housing Market (38)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/housing-market) - [Appliance Protection Plan (23)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/appliance-protection-plan) - [Handyman (22)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/handyman) - [Real Estate (22)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/real-estate) - [Property Managers (19)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/property-managers) - [Plumbing (18)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/plumbing) - [Garage Doors (16)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/garage-doors) - [Appliance Repair (9)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/appliance-repair) - [HVAC (8)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/hvac) - [Repair Cost Guide (8)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/repair-cost-guide) - [Green Home Care (7)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/green-home-care) - [Property Care (6)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/property-care) - [Puls Technicians (6)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/puls-technicians) - [Home Design (5)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-design) - [Seasonal Tips (5)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/seasonal-tips) - [Home Organization (4)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-organization) - [Warranty Plan (4)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/warranty-plan) - [Rental Properties (3)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/rental-properties) - [Smart Home Technology (3)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/smart-home-technology) - [Garbage Disposal (2)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/garbage-disposal) - [Home Upgrade (2)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/home-upgrade) - [Tenants (2)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/tenants) - [Systems Protection (1)](https://blog.puls.com/tag/systems-protection) see all Subscribe and Get The Latest News Related Posts [Thanksgiving Kitchen Prep: Get Your Appliances Ready for the Big Day](https://blog.puls.com/thanksgiving-kitchen-prep-get-your-appliances-ready-for-the-big-day) Good Thanksgiving kitchen prep starts weeks before the turkey goes in. Your oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and garbage disposal are about to do more work in one day than they usually do in a week, so the time to find a weak spot is now, while there's still room to fix it. Here's how to check each appliance, plan around its limits, and keep your kitchen running from the first thaw to the last load of dishes. - [Puls](https://blog.puls.com/author/puls) - 23 min read - 10/27/26 [Why Homeowners Are Choosing Home Warranties Today](https://blog.puls.com/why-homeowners-are-choosing-home-warranties-today) For a long time, home warranties were thought of as something you only needed when something went wrong. A system failed. An appliance stopped working. Suddenly, the warranty became relevant. - [Puls](https://blog.puls.com/author/puls) - 8 min read - 10/19/26 [October Home Maintenance Checklist: What to Do Before the First Freeze](https://blog.puls.com/october-home-maintenance-checklist) October is the month to wrap up fall home maintenance before the first hard freeze. The four jobs that matter most: clean your gutters, get your heating system ready, prep outdoor faucets for winter, and test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. 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