Repair or Replace: How To Decide

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right? But what if it’s ‘kind of broke’ – needing a new part that matches the older model specs? These questions hit every homeowner at one time or another. The debate is really over lifetime costs versus initial costs. 

If a product repair will cost $100, but takes a back order and shipping fee, and a brand new model that’s more cost efficient will cost an additional $200, most people will choose to upgrade their product. The difference lies in how long it will take to recoup the $200 in water or energy savings.

Many people have a budget for domestic repairs, and have to consider the initial price – and rightly so. For years, higher efficiency meant higher up front cost, too. Sometimes it still does. Most cases, however, the effort to become more environmentally cautious has been going on for a long time, and the prices associated with higher efficiency have had to come down to match the standards in the marketplace.

Another thing to consider is the product warranty and safety features. New models have been built according to standards of today, which are much more safe for the consumer and the installer.

Overall, make your decisions about repair or replacement based on the lifecycle costs whenever you can. Spending more on the front end takes the sting out of repairing an older model with new parts. You may end up replacing and replacing and replacing with your older, less efficient product or fixture – which can include the labor costs per visit – or you can spend more on a higher efficiency fixture that saves you money and never gives you any trouble.

We all want to save money wherever we can, but it’s important to know what value truly means to you. When you have questions about repairing or replacement, call Gary’s Quality Plumbing and talk to Debi, Dorothy, or one of the guys. We’ll help you see the whole picture as it relates to your household plumbing so the right decision can be made. Call 972-424-6479 today.