New Appliances: Pay For Installation or Install Yourself

Upgrading a home’s appliances can be an expensive affair, especially once you factor in the cost of professional installation. In some cases, the installation cost for an appliance can be greater than the price of the item itself! As a result, more and more people are turning to self-installation.

So, when buying a new appliance, should you pay for installation or install it yourself? For the most part, it depends on the product.

Despite their often bulky size and potentially huge weight, refrigerators are generally straightforward to install. In most cases, this simply involves locating a home’s water supply, connecting the supply to the fridge, and then plugging it in.

All that may be necessary is one or more tools or fittings. Refrigerators that don’t need a connection to the home’s water supply, the process is even easier. In this case, it only requires a connection to a power source and little else!

Pay for refrigerator installation or install yourself? Install yourself.

When it comes to range ovens, the choice between paying for installation or not will usually depend on whether it’s an electric or gas appliance. Just as with refrigerators, despite their size, installing electric ovens can be as simple as plugging them in.

However, gas ovens require extra consideration. Depending on an individual’s DIY knowledge, self-installation is entirely possible. This would involve shutting off a kitchen’s gas line at the valve. A gas-powered range oven’s hose can then be attached to this before turning the valve back on.

Given the nature of the process and the potential dangers surrounding gas, calling in an expert is often advisable. As a rule of thumb, if you don’t already have the necessary tools to hand, pay for professional installation.

Pay for range oven installation or install yourself? Depends on the power source.

Much of the same advice surrounding range oven installation also applies to dryer installation. Whether the appliance can be self-installed will likely hinge on its power source – either gas or electric. In addition, some dryers may require you to connect the exhaust tube outside the property. In that case, it’s better to pay for professional installation.

Pay for dryer installation or install yourself? Depends on the power source.

Both washers and dishwashers call for at least a little plumbing knowledge. With tools on hand, the process essentially involves turning off a home’s water supply, connecting both the hot and cold water to the washer or dishwasher, feeding its drain tube into a suitable channel, and then finally plugging it in.

If you have the tools available and you’re confident in your abilities, there’s no reason why a washer or dishwasher cannot be self-installed.

Generally speaking, though, it’s often a good idea to call in a plumber. Purely in terms of washers, it’s also vital to check that any transit bolts have been removed before use. Running a washer with transit bolts in place can seriously damage its motor.

Pay for washer or dishwasher installation or install yourself? Consider calling a plumber.

Finally, should you install small appliances by yourself? Almost all small appliances require little or no installation. It’s simply a case of plugging them in and following their instructions. The same is true of appliances from air purifiers, blenders, bread makers, and can openers to stand mixers, toasters, vacuum cleaners, and waffle makers.

Where there’s any doubt whatsoever, a small appliance’s instruction manual should help to clear things up. It may also be a good idea to acquaint yourself with the various options and settings on more complicated or feature-packed small appliances, such as coffee machines, countertop microwaves, dehydrators, and ice cream makers.

The same goes for those which require an added degree of caution when it comes to usage, including deep fryers, food processors, irons, knife sharpeners, pressure cookers, and sausage makers.

Pay for small appliance installation or install yourself? Install yourself.

You can prolong the life of your small and large appliances by pairing them with an extended appliance warranty. With Upsie, a choice of major appliance warranty and small appliance warranty solutions are available.

Upsie’s coverage is comparable or superior to that sold by manufacturers and big-box retailers. In addition, by dealing directly with Upsie’s warranty experts, prices are up to 70 percent lower than warranties sold elsewhere, including SquareTrade and Allstate. As a result, customers get better protection at a better price.

Accordingly, Upsie customers can protect their appliances with a plan they can trust. Appliance warranty protection with Upsie includes coverage against defects, internal leaks, and more. Eligibility is open to major appliances purchased during the previous 11 months and small appliances purchased in the last 60 days.