Scheduling & service calls
How fast can you come out?
Same-day in most cases if you call before noon on a weekday. If we can’t get there today we’ll put you on the morning run — you’ll hear from us with a two-hour window the night before. Emergency refrigerator calls get priority.
What’s your service area?
We service the entire South Bay: Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Lomita, Harbor City, Carson, Gardena and San Pedro. If your town isn’t listed, call anyway — if we’re close enough to help we’ll say so.
Do you charge a trip charge?
No separate trip charge. The flat $89 diagnostic covers the visit, the troubleshooting, and a written estimate. That’s it.
Do I need to be home?
Yes, someone 18 or older needs to be on-site for the appointment. We don’t leave appliances mid-repair and we don’t work in empty houses.
Pricing & warranty
What does a service call cost?
A flat $89 diagnostic covers Bob coming out, troubleshooting the appliance, and giving you a written estimate. If you approve the repair, that $89 comes off the bill.
What do repairs typically cost?
Most repairs land between $180 and $520 all-in (parts and labor), with the appliance and the specific failure driving the variance. Sealed-system refrigeration work, compressor replacement, and high-end built-in repairs will be quoted separately.
Do you take credit cards?
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover. We also take checks. No surcharge for cards.
What’s your warranty?
One full year on parts and labor for anything we repair. If the same failure comes back within that window, we come back free — no diagnostic, no trip charge. If a different failure shows up, that’s a new call.
Do you honor manufacturer warranties?
We’re factory-authorized for several brands but most of our work is cash-paid independent service. If your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty, check with the brand first — they may require a different authorized service center to keep the warranty intact.
Brands & appliances
Do you work on built-in and luxury brands?
Yes — Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, Thermador, Miele, GE Monogram, Dacor, Gaggenau and Fisher & Paykel are a regular part of our week. We stock the common parts and order the rest direct from factory distributors.
What brands do you service?
Every major brand. See the brands page for a full list of dedicated service pages.
What appliances do you repair?
Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, microwaves (built-in, over-the-range, and countertop), ice makers, beverage centers and wine coolers. We do not work on HVAC, water heaters, or commercial-grade restaurant equipment.
Diagnostics & repairs
Is it worth fixing, or should I replace?
Bob will tell you honestly. A good rule of thumb: if the repair is more than half the cost of a comparable new unit and the appliance is past 10 years old, replacement is usually smarter. On luxury built-ins, the math often favors repair even past 15 years.
Can you diagnose over the phone?
We can often narrow the issue — especially if you have the model number and a clear description of what the appliance is doing. But a definitive diagnosis needs the unit in front of us. That’s what the $89 visit is for.
What if the part is on backorder?
We quote the part before we order it. If the factory distributor says 2 weeks, we tell you 2 weeks — and if you want to cancel the repair at that point, the $89 diagnostic is the only thing owed.
What about parts the manufacturer discontinued?
We have distributor relationships that often turn up NOS (new old stock) or aftermarket OEM-grade parts. We’ve kept 20-year-old Thermadors and 25-year-old Sub-Zeros alive that the manufacturer would have declared unserviceable.
About Bob
Is this really owner-operated?
Yes. Bob Chauvin is the owner, answers the phone, and does most of the work himself. His son Owen runs the second van. No dispatchers, no subcontractors, no “we’ll send someone by Tuesday” runaround.
What’s your address?
1722 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501. It’s a small shop — not really set up for walk-in customers — but if you’re dropping off a counter-top unit for diagnosis, call first and we’ll meet you there.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California Contractor’s License available on request, general liability insurance for residential service work.