When a home appliance, like a refrigerator or washing machine breaks, it doesn’t always need to be replaced. Advanced appliance repair technicians can keep even the most broken-down machines from heading to landfills.
If you like to work with your hands and enjoy fixing things, a career as a technician may be good for you. Take a look at the typical day-to-day life of an appliance technician and learn more about what you need to do to get started in the career.
What Does an Appliances Repair Technician Do?
Appliance repair technicians fix things. What they fix and where they work depends on their specialization. For example, some technicians work on-site at a hospital or hotel, repairing machines that break down or need a tune-up.
Others work for repair companies and are sent to people’s homes to make repairs as needed. Sometimes, appliance repair technicians are self-employed. They respond to requests for service directly from customers.
Appliance repair technicians take a two-pronged approach to the machines they care for. They work to maintain machines and equipment, by providing routine tune-ups and maintenance. Routine care helps to keep the machine from breaking down.
Sometimes, even with regular maintenance, a machine can break down. In that case, a technician’s job is to inspect the appliance, troubleshoot the issue, and determine what’s gone wrong. From there, they can either fix the appliance or recommend its replacement.
A Typical Day on the Job in Commercial Appliance Repair
Most technicians work traditional eight-hour days. They often begin their days early in the morning, around 8 a.m. At that time, they may call the customers who’ve requested repairs and give them an estimated arrival time.
Technicians traveling to people’s homes will start by driving to the first house. Once there, they’ll talk to the appliance owner about the issue, inspect the machine and make recommendations. They may be able to fix the appliance on the spot. If they have to order parts, they’ll give the client an estimated repair date.
The technician will provide the appliance owner with an estimate and ask what the owner would like to do. Some people will decide to get another opinion and delay the repairs, hoping to get a better price. Others will move forward right away.
Once the work is finished as the first house, the appliance technician will thank the appliance owner and move on to the next call.
Ideally, each service appointment will go smoothly, and the technician will move from one appointment to the next without issue. Sometimes, emergencies come up, or customers cancel.
When that happens, a technician may have to try to squeeze a new customer into their day or may find themselves with unexpected time off. If delays happen, it’s up to the technician to inform other scheduled customers and give them options for what to do next.
While a technician can work late into the evening, many wrap up their day around 5 or 6 pm. Once the final service appointment is taken care of, the technician can head home.
Some technicians work on weekends, providing emergency repair services to customers. Often, they can charge more for emergency work.
Appliance repair is a hands-on job. Many people learn how to become a technician by doing. Enrolling in a major appliance and refrigeration technician career certificate program can give you the skills you need to succeed in the role.
During Orange Technical College’s 1,200-hour (one-year) career certificate program for repair technicians, you’ll learn how to fix and service most major household appliances, from refrigerators to washing machines and dishwashers to ovens. You’ll gain specialized training and be prepared to service the appliances of the future, including smart, high-end appliances.
In addition to technical skills, you’ll learn how to act as a repair technician. Our program covers the work habits and abilities you’ll need to know to interact with clients and provide the best customer service possible.
After completing the program, you’ll be ready to earn certification as a Graduate Certified Appliance Technician or member of the Professional Servicer Association.
If the day in the life of an appliance repair technician appeals to you, learn more about our career certificate program today.