Once you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps that you can think of, the option of last resort is often to schedule a technician to come and take a look at your refrigerator.
But the process itself can be somewhat murky, and there’s very little information about how to navigate it.
Do you go through GE’s official repair process? Choose a local company that works with appliances? Try out a national repair brand?
To answer these questions, I’ll cover the three most common repair options for GE refrigerators, the typical cost for a repair visit, and how to contact the provider to schedule a technician.
GE Refrigerator Repair
Most problems with your GE refrigerator can be fixed by a qualified technician in just a couple of days. You can expect to pay anywhere from $89 to $143 to schedule a visit, which can sometimes be credited towards any repairs your refrigerator ends up needing.
| Repair Service | Diagnostic Fee | Fee Credited To Repair |
|---|---|---|
| GE Factory Service | $114.95 – $143.95 | No |
| Sears | $89 | Yes |
| Local Appliance Store | Varies | Sometimes |
GE Appliances Factory Service
The most common option is to go through GE’s official factory service process. This guarantees that the technician who shows up will be well-versed in GE appliances, and they may be more likely to carry any parts that your refrigerator may need.
Repair Cost
If your refrigerator was installed within the past year, there is no charge for a technician to come out and complete any necessary repairs.
After the first year, GE will require a Trip Charge in order to send a technician out. This fee ranges from $114.95 to $143.95 as of August 2023.
The Trip Charge is a flat fee you will need to pay in order to get a repair technician scheduled to visit your home. Parts and labor will be charged in addition to this. If you choose not to get your refrigerator repaired, you will only need to pay the Trip Charge.
You can check the exact Trip Charge for your area by copying the URL below and replacing the last five digits with your zip code:
https://genet.geappliances.com/eService/Service/price?zipcode=23139
How To Schedule Repairs
You can schedule a GE factory service online or by calling 844-290-8857. The Trip Charge will be shown when scheduling online, but if you prefer to schedule by phone, be sure to ask how much the fee will be for your area.
Sears Home Services
Sears offers its own appliance repair program that will service your GE refrigerator no matter where you bought it. Like GE, they have an extensive service area and carry many common parts in their vehicles.
Repair Cost
The fee for a Sears repair technician to visit your home is $89. That’s roughly 22% less than GE’s standard Trip Charge.
The good news is that if you choose to get your refrigerator repaired, this fee can be applied towards the cost of those repairs. So going with Sears can potentially save you some money.
How To Schedule Repairs
You can schedule a service visit online or request an appointment by calling Sears Home Services at 1-800-665-2127.
Local Appliance Repair
The third option you have is to go with a local appliance repair provider. These are typically stores that sell and service GE appliances.
Repair Cost
The cost to get a repair technician out to your home can vary wildly from one local provider to another, so it’s a good idea to get 2-3 quotes if you can.
Generally speaking, you can expect a diagnostic fee of $59–$99 when setting up an appointment with an appliance retailer. Be sure to ask if this fee can be credited towards the cost of repairs, which is something that many small businesses will offer.
How To Schedule Repairs
Most areas will have several local options for appliance repairs. The easiest way to find them is to search for retailers that sell GE refrigerators and then check if they offer service appointments.
You will have the satisfaction of helping a local business, and you may be able to get a technician out much sooner than with national brands like GE and Sears, which typically schedule several days out.
Be sure to check Google reviews for any local company that you’re considering and see if any of the reviews mention service appointments. If you have the option, try to stick with a company that has at least a 4.5/5.0 average Google review.
How Soon Can You Get A GE Refrigerator Repaired?
Most repair appointments can be set up relatively quickly, with technicians typically arriving and completing the repairs within 2-3 days. However, this timeline can be delayed by two things.
First, the company may not have many available technicians in your area. Fewer technicians (or a higher than usual number of repair requests) will mean a longer wait.
The problem with your refrigerator may also require a specialty part that the technician doesn’t have on his truck. These parts typically need to be ordered and you’ll have to wait to set up a second appointment for the repair.
Wrap-Up
If you need to get your GE refrigerator repaired, you typically have three options:
- GE Factory Repair — Carries many parts on-hand but the diagnostic fee can be expensive and isn’t credit towards repairs.
- Sears Home Services — Affordable diagnostic fee that can be applied to your repairs, but may not be available in all areas.
- Local appliance retailer — Typically the fastest option if you need repairs completed as soon as possible, but diagnostic fees can vary wildly.
Ultimately all repair services have trade-offs, and the best one for you is going to depend on your specific situation.
Patrick Ward