The short answer
Diagnose first. A dryer that runs without heat, will not start or squeals usually has one failed part in its heating circuit or drive, and one part on a dryer whose drum, motor and controls are sound 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 dryer.
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 dryer. |
| 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 | The dryer stays on its vent and its outlet or gas connection; a stacked or laundry-closet unit is repaired where it stands. | A new dryer has to match the vent position, the outlet or gas connection and, for a stacked pair, the washer beneath it. |
| How many major parts have failed | One failed part on an otherwise sound dryer 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 thermostat, thermal fuse, heating element, belt, roller or idler pulley is one part. The drum, motor and controls failing together is a different situation.
- Airflow. Long drying times and overheating are often an airflow problem, which a vent cleaning and a worn-part replacement normally solve.
- Installation. A stacked or laundry-closet unit would be awkward to swap out, which tips a single-part fault toward repair.
- The quote against the price of a comparable new dryer. We give you the exact repair price after diagnosis so the comparison is real.
- Parts availability for your model. Discontinued parts or a long backorder change the answer.
Usually worth diagnosing and repairing
These are the everyday dryer repairs: one failed part, replaced on site, with the dryer staying where it stands.
- A dryer not heating: a heating element on an electric dryer, a thermal fuse, or a high-limit or cycling thermostat.
- A dryer that won't start: a thermal fuse, a door switch, or a power cord or terminal block.
- A dryer making noise: drum rollers, an idler pulley, a blower wheel or a drum felt seal.
- A dryer that takes too long or is overheating: an internal exhaust vent cleaning, a moisture sensor bar or a blower wheel.
- A dryer that won't tumble: a drive belt, an idler pulley or a drive motor.
- A stacked or laundry-closet unit that would be awkward to swap out.
When replacement may make more sense
- The drum, motor and controls are failing together.
- The repair quote comes close to the price of a comparable new dryer.
- Parts for your model are discontinued or on a long backorder.
A dryer with poor airflow is not a replacement case on its own: a vent cleaning and a worn-part replacement normally solve it, and we check the airflow as part of the diagnosis.
A note on gas models. The decision works the same way for a gas or an electric dryer: one failed part on a sound machine is normally worth repairing, and the drum, belt, rollers, idler pulley, blower and airflow parts are the same on both. The heating parts differ, so tell us which type you have when you book. For gas dryers: if you smell natural gas near the dryer at any point, do not attempt to operate the machine or test components. Leave the area, avoid operating any electrical switches, and contact your gas utility provider's emergency line from outside the building.
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 dryer 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) |
|---|---|
| Heating element replacement (electric dryers) | $179–$249 |
| Thermal fuse replacement (no heat or won’t start) | $99–$199 |
| Drive belt replacement | $99–$199 |
| Drum roller replacement (squeaking) | $179–$249 |
60-day parts & labor warranty
See the full estimated labor table by repair on our dryer 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 dryer repair in Buffalo.