What You Need Before You Start Shopping

Before you buy a replacement appliance, measure the space where the old one sits. Take the height, width, and depth — and measure the doorways and hallways it has to pass through to get there. A refrigerator that fits the kitchen opening may not fit through the basement door. Write these numbers down and bring them with you or keep them in your phone.

Check what connections the old appliance uses. A washing machine needs both water inlet hoses and a drain line. A gas dryer needs a gas line and a vent duct. An electric range needs a 240-volt outlet. A dishwasher needs a water inlet, drain line, and standard outlet. If you are replacing an appliance with a different type — say, switching from gas to electric — you may need an electrician or plumber before the new one can work.

Look at your budget for both the appliance itself and delivery or installation. Many stores charge $100 to $300 to deliver and set up a major appliance. Some charge extra to remove the old one. Ask about this before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure the space and all doorways before shopping, because size mismatches are the most common reason replacements cannot be installed.
  • Check what connections your old appliance uses — water lines, gas, venting, or electrical — because switching types may require a licensed plumber or electrician.
  • Delivery and installation fees are separate from the appliance price and often range from $100 to $300, plus extra charges to haul away the old unit.
  • Read the warranty that comes with the new appliance and decide whether an extended plan makes sense based on the appliance type and your repair budget.

Choosing Between New, Refurbished, and Used

A new appliance comes with a manufacturer's warranty, usually one to two years for most parts and labor. You know its history and can return it within a set period if it does not work. New appliances cost the most but fail least often in the first five years.

Refurbished appliances have been returned, repaired by the manufacturer or a certified shop, and tested. They usually carry a shorter warranty — often 90 days to one year — but cost 20 to 40 percent less than new. Buy refurbished only from the manufacturer or a certified retailer, not from an unknown seller, because you have no way to know what was actually fixed.

Used appliances from private sellers or secondhand shops have no warranty and no history. They are cheapest but fail most often. If you buy used, inspect it in person, ask the seller how long they owned it and why they are replacing it, and plan to pay a technician to deliver and check it over. That service call often costs $100 to $200 and may reveal problems the seller did not mention.

Where to Buy and What to Compare

Big-box stores like Best Buy, Lowe's, and Home Depot stock common models and offer next-day or same-week delivery. Appliance specialty stores often have more models, better staff knowledge, and sometimes lower prices on less popular brands. Online retailers like AJ Madison and Appliances Connection ship nationwide but may charge more for delivery to remote areas.

When you compare models, look at the energy label first. It shows the estimated yearly cost to run the appliance — a refrigerator might cost $50 a year, another might cost $80. Over ten years, that $30 difference adds up to $300. Compare the same size and type across brands, because a larger refrigerator will always cost more to run.

Read customer reviews on the retailer's site and on independent sites like Consumer Reports, but weight recent reviews more heavily than old ones. A washing machine that failed in 2019 may have been fixed in the 2022 model. Look for patterns — if dozens of people report the same problem, it is real. If one person complains about something no one else mentions, it may be their situation.

Scheduling Delivery and Removal

When you order, ask the store whether delivery includes removing the old appliance. Some stores do this automatically; others charge extra or do not offer it at all. If the store will not remove it, you will need to arrange a separate haul-away service or ask a handyman to disconnect and remove it before the new one arrives.

Schedule delivery for a day when you will be home. Delivery windows are usually four to six hours wide, and the driver will not wait. If you are not there, the appliance sits on the truck and you reschedule. Ask whether the delivery fee includes installation — connecting water lines, venting, or gas — or whether that costs extra. Some stores charge $50 to $150 more for installation beyond basic delivery.

Before the delivery truck arrives, clear the path from the front door to the kitchen or laundry room. Remove rugs, move furniture, and unlock any interior doors. If the appliance has to go down stairs or through tight hallways, tell the store when you order so they can send the right crew and equipment.

Installation and First Use

When the delivery crew arrives, watch them unpack and position the appliance. Check that it is level — use a bubble level if you have one, or fill a glass with water and set it on top. An unlevel appliance will vibrate, leak, or drain poorly. Ask the crew to adjust the feet or shims until it sits flat.

If the appliance needs water connections, the crew will usually attach the inlet hoses and drain line. Ask them to turn on the water and run a test cycle before they leave, so you know it works. If the appliance is a gas range or dryer, a licensed technician should connect the gas line — do not let a delivery crew do this unless they are certified.

Read the manual before you use the appliance. Different washers have different cycles; different refrigerators have different temperature settings. The manual tells you the right settings for your water hardness, load size, or climate. Keep the manual in a drawer or take a photo of the key pages for your phone.

Warranty and Protection Plans

Every new appliance comes with a manufacturer's warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship, usually for one year on parts and labor. This is free and automatic. Some brands offer longer warranties on specific parts — a compressor in a refrigerator might be covered for five years — but you have to register the appliance to set up it. Do this within 30 days of purchase.

Extended protection plans are sold by the retailer and cover repairs after the manufacturer's warranty ends. A five-year plan on a $1,200 refrigerator might cost $150 to $250. Whether it makes sense depends on the appliance type and your repair budget. Refrigerators and dishwashers fail less often than washing machines and ranges, so extended plans are more useful for washers and ranges. If you have cash set aside for repairs, you may not need a plan.

Read the plan details before you buy. Some plans cover all repairs; others exclude certain parts or charge a deductible per service call. Ask whether the plan covers in-home service or whether you have to take the appliance to a shop. In-home service is worth more because you do not have to disconnect and transport the appliance.

What to Do With the Old Appliance

If the store removes it, ask where it goes. Many stores donate working appliances to charities or sell them as refurbished units. Some recycle them for scrap metal and parts. If you want to donate it yourself, contact local charities, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or Goodwill — they may pick it up for free if it works.

If you keep the old appliance, you will need to store it or sell it. A working appliance can be sold on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp for 20 to 50 percent of its original price, depending on age and condition. Take clear photos, list the brand and model, say how old it is, and mention any quirks — "runs loud but works fine" or "needs new door seal." Be honest about condition; buyers will test it before they pay.

If the old appliance does not work and you cannot donate it, you will need to pay for removal. Junk removal services like 1-800-Got-Junk charge $100 to $300 to haul away a single appliance. Some scrap metal dealers will pick up appliances for free if they contain valuable metals, but call ahead to ask.

Common Problems After Installation

If the new appliance leaks, check the water inlet hoses first. They should be hand-tight at both ends — the wall connection and the appliance connection. If a connection is loose, turn off the water, tighten it with a wrench, and turn the water back on. If it still leaks, the hose itself may be cracked. Replace it with a new one from the hardware store — they cost $10 to $30.

If the appliance does not drain, check the drain hose for kinks or clogs. A washing machine drain hose should slope downward from the machine to the standpipe or sink. If it is kinked or coiled too tightly, water backs up. Straighten it and run a test cycle. If water still backs up, the hose may be clogged with lint or debris. Disconnect it and flush it with a garden hose.

If the appliance is noisy or vibrates, check that it is level and that shipping bolts or transit bolts have been removed. Washing machines and dryers ship with bolts that lock the drum in place during transport. If these are not removed, the appliance will vibrate violently. The manual shows where they are; remove them before first use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a new appliance myself, or do I need a professional?

Basic delivery and positioning you can do, but water, gas, and electrical connections should be done by a licensed plumber or electrician. Gas connections especially should never be done by an amateur — a leak can be dangerous. If your old appliance used the same connections, a professional can usually adapt them in an hour.

How long does a new appliance usually last?

Most major appliances last 10 to 15 years with normal use and maintenance. Refrigerators often last longer; washing machines and ranges often fail sooner. The actual lifespan depends on how often you use it, how well you maintain it, and the brand. Some brands are more reliable than others — check recent reviews before you buy.

What should I do if the new appliance arrives damaged?

Inspect it before the delivery crew leaves. If there is visible damage, take photos and refuse to sign the delivery form. Call the store when ready and report the damage. Most stores will replace a damaged appliance or issue a refund. If you sign off and then find damage later, the store may refuse to help.

Do I need to register my new appliance for the warranty?

Check the manual or the warranty card. Most manufacturers require registration within 30 days to set up extended coverage on certain parts. Registration is usually free and takes five minutes online. If you do not register, you still have the basic one-year warranty, but you may lose coverage on parts like compressors or motors.

What is the difference between a standard and a high-efficiency washing machine?

High-efficiency washers use less water and energy per load, which saves money over time. They cost $200 to $400 more upfront but use about 40 percent less water and electricity. If you wash clothes frequently, the savings add up. If you wash rarely, the extra cost may not pay back before the machine fails.