Appliance life estimator
Estimate remaining useful life instead of relying on a single average lifespan.
Free homeowner decision tools
Do the math before you spend money on a home repair.
HomeRepairMath turns repair quotes, replacement costs, age, condition, and other practical inputs into clear decision guidance — with the assumptions shown.
Try the calculatorRepair vs. replace calculator
Is this repair still worth it?
Enter a few numbers to get a transparent first-pass recommendation.
RecommendationBorderline
Replacement pressure46/100
Typical life used: about 11 years.
Estimated life remaining: about 4 years.
50% rule reference: a repair around $450 is half the replacement cost.
What moved the result
- Age is about 64% of the typical life used by this model.
- The repair quote is about 39% of the replacement cost.
- No prior repairs were entered, which reduces replacement pressure.
How this score works
The current model weights age at 38%, repair cost versus replacement cost at 37%, overall condition at 15%, and recent repair history at 10%. The score is a weighted planning index, not a probability that the unit will fail and not a forecast of how many years it will actually last. The “life remaining” line only compares age with the typical-life benchmark. Safety issues, active leaks, combustion concerns, electrical damage, refrigerant problems, or a professional diagnosis can override the score.
Repair-or-replace guides
Start with the thing you’re deciding about.
Washer
Compare a washer repair quote with replacement cost, age, and overall condition.
Dryer
Estimate whether repairing an aging clothes dryer is still economical.
Refrigerator
Use age, repair cost, replacement cost, and condition to evaluate a refrigerator repair.
Dishwasher
Check whether a dishwasher repair still makes financial sense.
Water heater
Compare water-heater repair cost with age, condition, and replacement economics.
HVAC
Use a first-pass financial screen for a central heating or cooling repair decision.
More calculators
Price the decision, not just the part.
Why the math matters
A repair quote alone doesn’t tell you whether a repair is smart.
A $400 repair could be an easy yes on a newer $1,800 appliance and a poor bet on an older $650 appliance. The useful question is how the repair cost compares with replacement cost, expected remaining life, condition, repair history, and future operating costs.
HomeRepairMath is built around showing those assumptions instead of hiding them behind a vague recommendation. Each calculator should explain what moved the result and where professional judgment still matters.
Planned next
Keep expanding only where a tool adds real value.
Energy payback calculator
See whether a more efficient replacement can actually repay its higher purchase price.
Transparent by design
These calculators are planning tools, not guarantees. Actual repair life, local labor rates, safety requirements, permit rules, and hidden damage can change the economics. HomeRepairMath favors simple, inspectable formulas and clearly labels assumptions.