Repair.com launches in Richmond

Fixing a faulty refrigerator or dishwasher can be a pain, but one Northern Virginia-based company is looking to make repairs easier on consumers.  

After a successful launch in Des Moines, Iowa, Repair.com chose Richmond for its second test market, and debuted its services this month. “Richmond serves a natural progression for us on the heels of our success in Des Moines, offering the step up in size and a cultural diversity we were looking for in our second test market,” Sean Skelley, senior vice president of Repair.com, said in a statement. “Additionally, Richmond had a wealth of outstanding technicians eager to join the Repair.com team, and its proximity to our headquarters in Sterling, Va. gave us an understanding of the area, along with the ability to visit frequently.”

The company says several things set Repair.com apart from other businesses in the field. For one thing, it doesn't charge a diagnostic fee. Instead, the company sends a local technician out who performs a free in-home diagnostic and gives a price upfront on the cost of a repair. Consumers are charged only if they proceed with the job. Repairs are guaranteed for a year. According to a company press release, all technicians must pass background checks, drug tests and carry appropriate insurance . 

Repair.com is part of Sterling –based N.E.W. Customer Service Cos., a provider of extended protection plan service repairs.  The company developed Repair.com to help people without such plans have a better repair experience.