Oven, dishwasher, cell phone… repair costs have increased, according to the association

It is better to repair than to buy, but ultimately at what cost? According to the consumer protection association CLCV, the cost of repairing electrical and electronic devices has increased by an average of 10-15% over the past year, and the implementation of assistance is intended to encourage repairs. The organization analyzed about 160 thousand repairs of televisions, dishwashers and other refrigerators carried out in 2023 with the support of a “repair bonus.”

Created by law in 2020 and implemented in December 2022, this “bonus” covers part of the cost of labor to encourage consumers to renovate rather than buy again. But, according to the CLCV report, “the implementation of the repair bonus has seen an increase in prices,” with “an upward trend in the average cost of repairs.”

From January to November 2023, the average bill for repairs of washing machines, built-in ovens or stoves increased by 12%. For TVs, the increase was 14%. For mobile phones it is +18%. On the other hand, the average bill for laptop computers decreased by 4%.

Several factors are coming together: the windfall effect, as well as rising costs due to inflation and the complexity of some repairs, the report highlights, advising clients to “play with the competition.” “Continuous monitoring of prices (…) is necessary to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the renovation stock,” CLCV adds to government agencies.

Expanded list of suitable products

The repair bonus got off to a rocky start, with the gradual marking of repair workers who now number 4,700 but are still unevenly distributed across the country. Thus, the North, Paris and Bouches-du-Rhône are the worst served in terms of population. The list of eligible products has gradually expanded from 14 when the fund opened at the end of 2022… to 75 today.

From January 1, the bonus amount has been increased by 5 euros for 21 products, such as hobs, hoods, stoves, toasters, irons, and has also been doubled for another 5 most frequently repaired products: televisions, vacuum cleaners, washing machines and dishwashers. , Dryer. This support currently ranges from 15 to 60 euros depending on the devices and is financed by an “eco-contribution” included in the price of new devices.

However, the increase in the number of repairers labeled “QualiRépar” remains “below initial expectations”, adds CLCV, which, among other things, mentions administrative restrictions and costs of the process. And this is, first of all, for small businesses.

Environmental organizations Ecosystem and Ecologic, which manage the end of life of electrical appliances, have planned to reduce the cost of labeling from 447 to 200 euros over three years. According to a study by the Sophies Council, the electrical and electronic equipment sector produces around 1.8 million tonnes of waste annually.