Repair or Replace? The 50% Rule
When an appliance breaks down, the question is rarely just "can this be fixed?" It's almost always "should I spend the money to fix it, or put that money toward a new one?" The 50% rule is a simple way to think through that decision without needing a degree in home economics.
What Is the 50% Rule?
The rule is straightforward: if the cost of the repair is more than 50% of the price of a comparable new appliance, replacement is usually the smarter financial move. If the repair costs less than that, repairing almost always makes more sense, especially for an appliance that's otherwise in good shape.
Why Age Matters Just as Much as Cost
The 50% rule works best when you also factor in how much useful life the appliance has left. A $300 repair on a 3-year-old refrigerator is an easy call. The same $300 repair on a 14-year-old refrigerator is a much closer decision, because you may be paying to extend the life of a unit that's already near the end of its expected lifespan anyway.
| Appliance | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10–15 years |
| Washing Machine | 10–13 years |
| Dryer | 12–14 years |
| Dishwasher | 9–12 years |
| Oven / Range | 13–17 years |
| Microwave | 7–10 years |
When Repair Almost Always Wins
- The appliance is less than half way through its typical lifespan.
- The failure is a single, well-understood part — a door seal, a belt, a thermal fuse, a control board.
- The rest of the unit shows no other signs of wear, leaks, or rust.
- You've already invested in it recently (a new control board, a new compressor) and don't want to lose that value.
When Replacement Wins
- The repair estimate lands near or above the 50% mark.
- The appliance has needed more than one major repair in the past couple of years.
- Newer models offer a meaningful efficiency or capacity upgrade that offsets some of the replacement cost over time.
- Replacement parts for an older or discontinued model are hard to source, which can mean longer wait times.
We'll give you a straight answer on repair vs. replace, not just a sales pitch.
Browse All Services →Get a Second Opinion Before You Decide
The best way to apply the 50% rule accurately is to get a real diagnostic first. A technician can tell you exactly what's broken, what it will cost to fix, and whether any other parts are likely to fail soon — information that's hard to estimate on your own. See our cost guide for typical repair ranges by appliance, or browse our full list of 25 brands we service if parts availability is part of your decision.