Dishwasher | Kitchen
Dishwasher repair
Standing water, dirty dishes, leaks, or a door that won't latch. Built-in dishwashers repaired without pulling your kitchen apart.
What it's doing, and why
Dishwasher trouble usually lives in the pump, the latch, the water valve or the filter. Some fixes take twenty minutes. We'll also tell you when a basic dishwasher has a failed wash pump, because the new machine can cost less than the repair.
- Most repairs from
- $110
- Typical visit
- 40 to 90 minutes
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What you see
Water left in the bottom
Likely cause: A clogged filter or drain hose, or a drain pump that has failed.
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What you see
Dishes come out dirty
Likely cause: A worn wash pump, blocked spray arms, or water that isn't getting hot enough.
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What you see
Leaking onto the floor
Likely cause: A worn door gasket, a cracked spray arm, or a loose drain connection under the sink.
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What you see
Won't start, lights blink
Likely cause: Often a door latch or switch. Sometimes the control board.
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What you see
Door drops open or won't latch
Likely cause: Broken hinge springs or cables, or a worn latch.
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What you see
Won't fill with water
Likely cause: A failed inlet valve, a stuck float switch, or a closed water valve under the sink.
Typical dishwasher repair prices
Each range is the total for the repair: parts, labour and the trip. The $89 diagnostic is credited in full when you go ahead. Your exact price is written down before we start.
How our pricing works-
Filter and drain clear-out
Often the whole fix
Usually repair$110 to $180
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Door latch or switch
Usually repair$160 to $280
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Drain pump
Usually repair$200 to $340
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Water inlet valve
Usually repair$170 to $290
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Door hinge springs or cables
Usually repair$160 to $260
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Wash pump motor
On a basic model, a new dishwasher may cost less
Depends on age$320 to $520
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Control board
Depends on age$280 to $520
Sample ranges for Greater Richmond in 2026. Built-in and high-end models can run higher; we tell you before any work starts.
Repair it, or replace it?
A dishwasher usually lasts 9 to 12 years. Here's how we call it, and we say it out loud even when the answer costs us the job.
Repair it when
- It's a mid-range or better model under 7 years old
- The fix is a latch, valve, drain pump or hinge
- The racks and tub are in good shape
Replace it when
- The wash pump has failed on a basic model that cost under $600
- The tub itself is cracked and leaking
- The racks are rusted and the machine is past 10 years
A wash pump on a $500 dishwasher can cost $400 to fix. We'll show you that math and suggest you replace it, even though we don't sell dishwashers.
Try these before you book
They take five minutes and sometimes save you the visit. If none of them help, we'll take it from there.
- 1 Twist out the filter in the bottom and rinse it. It's the cause more often than you'd think.
- 2 Run the kitchen tap until it's hot before you start a cycle.
- 3 New garbage disposal? Its knockout plug can stop the dishwasher from draining.
- 4 Look under the sink to make sure the dishwasher's water valve is open.
If it's leaking, close the water valve under the sink and switch off the dishwasher's breaker. That stops the damage until we arrive.
Brands we see most
Bosch, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, GE, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, Miele, and most other household brands.
Listed in plain text. We're an independent shop, not affiliated with or authorized by any maker.
All brands and exceptionsDishwasher questions
Do you install new dishwashers?
No. We don't sell or install new appliances, which keeps our advice honest. We tell you what failed and what a fair repair costs, and you decide.
Is a leaking dishwasher an emergency?
Close the water valve under the sink and switch off its breaker. That stops the damage. Then book the next open window.
Let's get your dishwasher working again.
Book a two-hour window online or call the office. The $89 diagnostic is credited in full to your repair, and you get a written price before any work starts.
Mon to Fri 7:30 to 6, Sat 8:30 to 2. Tasha answers.