The short answer
Diagnose first. A dishwasher that leaks, will not drain, will not start or leaves dishes wet usually has one failed part behind it, and one part on a built-in unit already fitted to your cabinets and plumbing is normally worth repairing.
Our $99 service call fee covers the diagnosis. You get the exact repair price after diagnosis, before any work begins, and you compare that number with the price of a comparable new dishwasher. A cracked or rusted-through tub is the one fault that points to replacing.
Repair vs. replace at a glance
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to find out | $99 service call, which covers the diagnosis. | The price of a comparable new dishwasher. |
| What the price is based on | The part that failed and the labor to replace it, quoted after diagnosis and before any work begins. | The model you choose: size, features and finish set the price, not the fault. |
| Installation and fit | A built-in dishwasher stays fitted to your cabinets, water line and drain. | A new dishwasher has to match the cabinet opening, the panel or finish, and the existing plumbing and power. |
| How many major parts have failed | One failed part on an otherwise sound dishwasher is a normal repair. | Several major components failing at the same time make a repair harder to justify. |
| Parts availability | A part we can get is a repair we can quote. | Parts that are discontinued or on a long backorder tip the decision toward replacing. |
| Warranty | 60-day parts and labor warranty on the completed repair. | Whatever warranty comes with the new unit. |
What to weigh before you decide
- What failed. A drain pump, inlet valve, door latch, heating element or gasket is one part. The pump, motor and control board failing together is a different situation.
- Leaks. A leak from a gasket, hose or door seal is worth repairing promptly rather than living with; it is normally a single-part fix.
- The tub and frame. A tub or frame that is cracked or rusted through cannot be fixed with a part swap, and that is when replacing makes more sense.
- Fit. A built-in unit is already fitted to your cabinets and plumbing. A replacement has to match the opening and the connections.
- The quote against the price of a comparable new dishwasher. We give you the exact repair price after diagnosis so the comparison is real.
Usually worth diagnosing and repairing
These are the everyday dishwasher repairs: one failed part, replaced on site, with the dishwasher staying in its cabinet.
- A dishwasher that won't drain or holds standing water: a drain pump, a drain hose, an air gap or check valve, or a food chopper.
- A dishwasher leaking: a door gasket or tub seal, a float switch or a general leak repair.
- A dishwasher not cleaning: a circulation pump or wash motor, a spray arm or a diverter motor.
- A dishwasher not drying: a heating element, or a thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat.
- A dishwasher that won't start: a door latch or safety switch, an electronic control board or a touchpad board.
- A dishwasher making noise, or a rack adjuster, tine row clip or detergent dispenser.
- A built-in unit already fitted to your cabinets and plumbing.
When replacement may make more sense
- The tub or frame is cracked or rusted through.
- The pump, motor and control board are failing together.
- The repair quote comes close to the price of a comparable new dishwasher.
Parts for your model that are discontinued or on a long backorder also tip the decision toward replacing. We tell you which case you are in after the diagnosis, before anything is quoted or done.
What it costs to find out
Our $99 service call fee covers the diagnosis. Diagnostic fee waived when the repair is completed. You get the exact repair price after diagnosis, before any work begins.
Typical total repair cost (parts + labor): $100–$400
Estimated labor by repair group on our dishwasher repair page, labor only, parts extra: Controls & sensors $99–$249; Parts & mechanical $99–$249. Parts are quoted separately after diagnosis.
| Repair | Estimated labor (parts extra) |
|---|---|
| Drain pump replacement (standing water) | $179–$249 |
| Door latch or safety switch repair | $99–$199 |
| Heating element replacement (poor drying) | $99–$199 |
| Door gasket or tub seal replacement | $99–$199 |
60-day parts & labor warranty
See the full estimated labor table by repair on our dishwasher repair page. Book online and save $25 on a completed repair.
Ready to find out? Book online or call the number above, and read more about our dishwasher repair in Buffalo.