Repair or replace? Every big-ticket call

Updated August 2026

Two numbers decide most of these: the thing's age and the repair quote against half the cost of a new one. Past a system's expected life, the 50% rule says stop repairing; before it, a single failed part is almost always a fix. Each call below leads with the threshold that settles it, then gives the repair-vs-replacement range so you can place your own situation on it.

Electrical

Electrical: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your electrical panel?	Repair $150–300 / replace $1,500–4,000
Should you repair or replace your standby generator?	Repair $150–1,500 / replace $5,000–12,000
Should you repair or replace your home battery?	Repair $500–2,000 / replace $8,000–15,000
Should you repair or replace your ceiling fan?	Repair $10–60 / replace $150–350
Should you repair or replace your circuit breaker?	Repair $150–300 / replace $1,500–4,000
Should you repair or replace your EV charger?	Repair $100–300 / replace $700–2,000
Should you repair or replace your portable generator?	Repair $20–200 / replace $500–1,500
Should you repair or replace your solar inverter?	Repair $150–400 / replace $1,500–3,000
Should you repair or replace your solar panels?	Repair $200–500 / replace $15,000–25,000

Hvac

Hvac: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your central air conditioner?	Repair $150–650 / replace $5,000–10,000
Should you repair or replace your furnace?	Repair $150–1,500 / replace $4,000–8,000
Should you repair or replace your heat pump?	Repair $200–1,500 / replace $5,500–12,000
Should you repair or replace your AC compressor?	Repair $1,500–2,800 / replace $5,000–10,000
Should you repair or replace your furnace blower motor?	Repair $300–1,200 / replace $4,000–8,000
Should you repair or replace your boiler?	Repair $200–1,200 / replace $5,000–10,000
Should you repair or replace your evaporator coil?	Repair $900–1,800 / replace $5,000–9,000
Should you repair or replace a cracked heat exchanger?	Repair $1,500–3,000 / replace $4,000–8,000
Should you repair or replace your mini-split?	Repair $150–800 / replace $3,000–5,000
Should you repair or replace your air handler?	Repair $300–1,500 / replace $2,000–3,500
Should you repair or replace your AC condenser unit?	Repair $150–600 / replace $5,000–10,000
Should you repair or replace your dehumidifier?	Repair $150–500 / replace $200–350 (portable), $1,500–2,500 (whole-house)
Should you repair or replace your ductwork?	Repair $1,000–3,000 / replace $3,000–8,000
Should you repair or replace your radiator?	Repair $10–200 / replace $300–1,000
Should you repair or replace your thermostat?	Repair $5–50 / replace $15–50 DIY, $100–300 installed

Kitchen-appliances

Kitchen-appliances: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your dishwasher?	Repair $150–500 / replace $600–1,400
Should you repair or replace your refrigerator?	Repair $100–600 / replace $800–2,500
Should you repair or replace your microwave?	Repair $100–300 / replace $300–700
Should you repair or replace your range?	Repair $100–350 / replace $600–2,000
Should you repair or replace your cooktop?	Repair $100–350 / replace $500–2,000
Should you repair or replace your freezer?	Repair $100–400 / replace $250–900
Should you repair or replace your ice maker?	Repair $70–500 / replace $1,500–3,000
Should you repair or replace your induction range?	Repair $200–700 / replace $1,000–3,500
Should you repair or replace your wall oven?	Repair $150–500 / replace $1,500–4,000
Should you repair or replace your range hood?	Repair $80–250 / replace $350–1,800

Laundry

Laundry: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your dryer?	Repair $50–350 / replace $600–1,300
Should you repair or replace your washing machine?	Repair $150–450 / replace $600–1,500

Outdoor-lawn

Outdoor-lawn: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your lawn mower?	Repair $20–150 / replace $250–600 push, $1,800–4,000 rider
Should you repair or replace your gas grill?	Repair $20–120 / replace $300–1,000
Should you repair or replace your pool pump?	Repair $20–400 / replace $500–1,500 installed
Should you repair or replace your hot tub?	Repair $200–700 / replace $4,000–12,000
Should you repair or replace your pool filter?	Repair $50–300 / replace $300–1,200
Should you repair or replace your pool heater?	Repair $150–800 / replace $2,000–4,500 gas, $3,000–6,000 heat pump
Should you repair or replace your pressure washer?	Repair $30–120 / replace $120–400 electric, $300–800 gas
Should you repair or replace your snow blower?	Repair $5–150 / replace $600–1,500
Should you repair or replace your sprinkler system?	Repair $5–300 in parts, plus $75–150 per hour labor / replace $2,500–6,000

Plumbing

Plumbing: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your water heater?	Repair $150–600 / replace $1,200–2,000
Should you repair or replace your faucet?	Repair $10–40 / replace $150–400
Should you repair or replace your garbage disposal?	Repair $0–40 / replace $150–400
Should you repair or replace your sump pump?	Repair $20–150 / replace $400–750
Should you repair or replace your toilet?	Repair $10–50 / replace $250–600
Should you repair or replace your heat-pump water heater?	Repair $200–700 / replace $2,000–3,500
Should you repair or replace your sewer line?	Repair $1,500–5,000 / replace $5,000–15,000
Should you repair or replace your tankless water heater?	Repair $150–600 / replace $2,500–4,500
Should you repair or replace your water softener?	Repair $150–400 / replace $1,000–2,500
Should you repair or replace your well pump?	Repair $75–400 / replace $1,000–2,500
Should you repair or replace your well pressure tank?	Repair $0–150 / replace $400–900
Should you repair or replace your septic drain field?	Repair $500–2,000 / replace $5,000–20,000
Should you repair or replace your septic tank?	Repair $150–1,200 / replace $3,000–7,000
Should you repair or replace your sewage ejector pump?	Repair $50–200 / replace $600–1,400
Should you repair or replace your shower valve?	Repair $20–150 / replace $300–800

Roofing-exterior

Roofing-exterior: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you repair or replace your asphalt shingle roof?	Repair $300–1,200 / replace $6,000–15,000
Should you repair or replace your deck?	Repair $1,000–5,000 / replace $5,000–20,000
Should you repair or replace your fence?	Repair $150–1,000 / replace $2,000–8,000
Should you repair or replace your garage door opener?	Repair $60–250 / replace $300–600
Should you repair or replace your gutters?	Repair $100–500 / replace $1,000–3,000
Should you repair or replace your windows?	Repair $150–400 / replace $400–1,200 per window
Should you repair or replace your chimney?	Repair $500–2,500 / replace $4,000–15,000
Should you repair or replace your driveway?	Repair $200–1,500 / replace $3,000–10,000
Should you repair or replace your foundation?	Repair $500–3,000 per repair / replace $20,000–100,000 (rare)
Should you repair or replace your garage door?	Repair $100–350 / replace $800–2,500
Should you repair or replace your vinyl siding?	Repair $300–1,000 / replace $8,000–20,000
Should you repair or replace your attic insulation?	Repair $1,000–2,500 / replace $2,000–6,000
Should you repair or replace your fascia board?	Repair $200–600 / replace $300–1,500
Should you repair or replace your fiber-cement siding?	Repair $300–1,200 / replace $12,000–25,000
Should you repair or replace your flat roof?	Repair $300–1,200 / replace $5,000–12,000
Should you repair or replace your metal roof?	Repair $300–1,500 / replace $10,000–30,000
Should you repair or replace your retaining wall?	Repair $500–5,000 / replace $3,000–15,000
Should you repair or replace your skylight?	Repair $150–600 / replace $600–1,800
Should you repair or replace your stucco?	Repair $500–3,000 / replace $8,000–25,000

Safety-specialty

Safety-specialty: repair or replace (Updated August 2026)
The decision	Repair vs replace
Should you recharge or replace your fire extinguisher?	Repair $15–40 / replace $20–60
Should you repair or replace your security system?	Repair $5–250 / replace $300–1,500

The repair-or-replace call is easy when you know the unit's age and service history. OnOtto keeps both, plus the maintenance that pushes each of these decisions years further out.

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