Question 1

What does a callout cost?

Accepted Answer

$125 across the Illawarra, $145 further out on the South Coast. That is the assessment fee, and it covers the technician attending and diagnosing the fault properly rather than guessing at it. You get the repair price before any work starts, so you can stop there if the number does not suit.

Question 2

Will I be surprised by the bill?

Accepted Answer

No. The assessment fee is $125 across the Illawarra and $145 further out on the South Coast, and you know that figure before anyone gets in the van. The technician diagnoses the fault, then gives you the repair price. Nothing beyond the assessment happens until you have said yes to it.

Question 3

What payments do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Cash and the major credit cards. Our technicians carry mobile payment terminals, so you can settle on the spot rather than waiting on an invoice. We also take Afterpay if you would rather spread a larger repair.

Question 4

Which suburbs do you cover?

Accepted Answer

The coast from Helensburgh in the north, through Wollongong, Dapto and Shellharbour, down to Nowra and the Shoalhaven. The $125 assessment fee applies across the Illawarra and $145 further out on the South Coast. Every suburb we cover is listed here.

Question 5

Do you come to me, or do I bring the appliance in?

Accepted Answer

We come to you. Almost everything gets repaired in your kitchen or laundry, because pulling a machine out and carting it to a workshop usually costs more than the repair saves. The exceptions are small benchtop appliances and the occasional job that needs the bench. If you ring early enough in the day there is a fair chance we are there the same day.

Question 6

How do I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Call 02 4229 3777 and you will get someone in Wollongong, or book a repair online and we will ring you back. Either way, have the model number handy — it is on the door rim of a washer or dishwasher, and behind the drawer or on the door frame of an oven. With the model number and any error code we can often turn up with the part already on the van.

Question 7

Do you repair my brand?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly. We work on all the major brands and source from authorised parts suppliers, so a repair does not put your coverage at risk. We keep a page per brand with the faults and error codes we actually see — Bosch, Samsung, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Electrolux and the rest. Domestic appliances only.

Question 8

Are you an authorised repair centre?

Accepted Answer

No, and it is worth knowing what that does and does not mean. We are an independent repairer using authorised parts suppliers, which keeps your coverage intact. If your appliance is still inside its manufacturer's warranty, the repair should go through the manufacturer's own channel or you risk the cover — we will tell you to ring them rather than take your money. Out of warranty, an independent is usually faster and cheaper. The full explanation is here.

Question 9

Will you be able to fix my problem?

Accepted Answer

Usually. We have been repairing appliances in the Illawarra since the 1980s, so most faults that come through are ones we have seen many times over. Where we cannot help is commercial kitchen equipment, which we do not take on, and anything involving fixed wiring, which is licensed electrical work in NSW. If your machine is one we would not spend money on, we will say so.

Question 10

Is it worth repairing, or should I replace it?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the fault, not the age. A pump, a seal, an element or a thermostat is almost always worth fixing on a decent machine. The ones we tell people to walk away from are sealed-tub bearing failures and dead control boards on a machine past about eight years, where the repair approaches the price of a new one, and anything where the cabinet or drum has corroded through. We would rather say that up front than after you have paid for an assessment.

Question 11

How long will it take to fix my appliance?

Accepted Answer

Most repairs finish on the first visit. The common failures — pumps, seals, elements, thermostats, drain blockages — are parts we carry. Where something has to be ordered it is usually a matter of days rather than weeks for the major brands, because parts distribution into the Illawarra is good. Control boards and sealed tub assemblies are the two that most often mean a wait.

Question 12

Do you have a warranty?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on both parts and labour. If the same fault comes back within the warranty period we return and put it right at no further cost. That is separate from your manufacturer's warranty and separate again from your consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law — we have written up how the three differ, because they get conflated often.

Question 13

Do washing machines need servicing?

Accepted Answer

Not on a schedule the way a car does, but they do need maintaining. Clean the filter, leave the door ajar between washes so the seal dries, and run an empty hot cycle occasionally to clear detergent residue. Most of the callouts we attend for smells, poor draining or a machine that will not spin trace back to a filter nobody has opened in years. More on what actually helps.

Question 14

Is powder or liquid detergent better?

Accepted Answer

For a washing machine it is close to the least important choice you make. What actually matters is that the detergent is low-sudsing and that you are not overdosing it — too much foam cushions the tumbling action and stops clothes getting clean. Dishwashers are the opposite: the testing is clear that a good tablet beats the best powder. If you are seeing film on glasses or grit on plates, switching to a quality tablet is the easiest first fix. The full comparison is here.

Question 15

Can cockroaches damage my appliances?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is more common than people expect. Warm electronics are exactly what they look for, so control boards in fridges, dishwashers and washing machines are a favourite spot. The damage comes from droppings and bodies bridging contacts on the board, which causes intermittent faults that look like an electrical failure. We see it often enough that it is worth ruling out. What to do about it.

Question 16

Does living near the beach affect my appliances?

Accepted Answer

It does, and it is one of the clearest patterns in this region. Machines in beachside laundries corrode years earlier than the same model a few suburbs inland, and it is the outer cabinet and the earth points that go first. Fridge condenser coils clog faster too. A laundry with poor ventilation makes it noticeably worse. Here is what we suggest across the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a callout cost?

2. Will I be surprised by the bill?

3. What payments do you accept?

4. Which suburbs do you cover?

5. Do you come to me, or do I bring the appliance in?

6. How do I contact you?

7. Do you repair my brand?

8. Are you an authorised repair centre?

9. Will you be able to fix my problem?

10. Is it worth repairing, or should I replace it?

11. How long will it take to fix my appliance?

12. Do you have a warranty?

13. Do washing machines need servicing?

14. Is powder or liquid detergent better?

15. Can cockroaches damage my appliances?

16. Does living near the beach affect my appliances?

Why Choose Wollongong Service Company?

Over 40 Years Experience

Fixed Price Assessment

All Brands Serviced

Same-Day Service Available

Expert Knowledge

Customer Focused

Brands We Service

AEG

Asko

Beko

Blanco

Bosch

Electrolux

Euromaid

Fisher & Paykel

Haier

HiSense

Kelvinator

LG

We Service All Illawarra and South Coast Suburbs

Service Area Legend

Primary Service Area

Albion Park(5)

Dapto(9)

Northern Wollongong(7)

Shellharbour Area(8)

Southern Wollongong(7)

Central Wollongong(9)

Lake Illawarra(3)

Extended Service Area

Northern Suburbs(7)

South Coast(8)

Kiama Region(6)

Doug Roberts

Anne Biswas

David Nagle

Christopher Wiles

John & Nicola Maguire

Aaron Little

Mahmoud el Bably

Tony Koloski

Mark Terechovs

Alida Anna Betags

Frank Stephenson

Jan Riley

Walter Bellinato

Sam Denne

Jo MOS

Carla Gigliotti

Debbie Stephenson

Em

Troy Omaye

Livey Bones