Dishwashers fail in fairly predictable ways, which is good news: many repairs are a single part that a technician can replace in one visit. This page lists independent appliance repair companies serving Columbia and the Richland County area, with companies that mention dishwasher work shown first.
Dishwasher Repair Companies Near Columbia
We found 28 appliance repair companies within 30 miles of Columbia. 16 of them are based in Columbia itself, and the rest are spread across Lexington (3), West Columbia (2), and Camden (2). Distances run up to about 29 miles. Sears Appliance Repair is the nearest, roughly 3.8 miles from Columbia. Of those, 1 mentions dishwasher work by name. The 24 rated companies in range average 4.3 stars.
We do not show business phone numbers. Call our helpline to be connected with a participating technician, or look a company up directly. Always confirm licensing and insurance.
| Mention a major dishwasher brand | 1 |
|---|---|
| Companies within 30 miles | 28 |
| Distance to the three closest (mi) | 3.8, 5.3, 5.4 |
| With 4.5+ stars and at least 10 reviews | 10 |
| Listing Saturday hours | 15 |
| Mention dishwasher work | 1 |
The leading options for Columbia are Sears Appliance Repair (18.7 miles away, based in Lugoff, 4.3 stars from 46 reviews, lists Saturday hours); Appliance Professional (15.3 miles away, based in Lexington, 4.8 stars from 1,369 reviews, lists Saturday hours); Sloan Appliance Service Inc. (9.7 miles away, based in Cayce, 4.7 stars from 2,353 reviews); Expo Appliance Service (15.4 miles away, based in West Columbia, 4.9 stars from 309 reviews).
Dishwasher Problems Worth a Service Call
- Dishes stay wet at the end of the cycle
- Standing water in the bottom after a cycle
- An error code on the display
- Dishes come out dirty or gritty
Why Dishwashers Break Down
Inside a Dishwasher Repair Visit
Troubleshooting first? Start with dishwasher smells bad or dishwasher not draining.
Before Anyone Touches the Dishwasher
If the dishwasher has no working shut-off valve of its own, close the main water supply to the house instead. Source: GE Appliances - Dishwasher Water Shut-Off Location
A dishwasher must be grounded; if the home wiring lacks a ground or the plug does not fit the outlet, a licensed electrician should correct it rather than modifying the plug. Source: Whirlpool - Dishwasher User Instructions
More: where dishwasher leaks come from.
Repair or Replace Your Dishwasher?
Most dishwasher repairs involve one part and an hour or so of labor, which is why many are worth pricing before you shop for a new one. Published ranges:
- Drain pump repair: $100–$250 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher?
- Door gasket / seal replacement: $50–$150 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher?
- Drain pump replacement: $150–$400 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher?
- Heating element replacement: $150–$300 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher?
- Diagnostic fee: $50–$75 per visit Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher?
When an aging dishwasher no longer has manufacturer coverage and needs frequent or major repairs, start planning for a replacement. Source: HomeAdvisor - How Much Does Dishwasher Repair Cost?
Ranges are published estimates, not quotes. See the dishwasher repair cost guide and how long dishwashers last.
Local Notes for Columbia
Columbia Water (City of Columbia), which supplies Columbia, reports hardness of averages about 36 ppm as CaCO3 (range roughly 20-47 ppm), soft. Hard water leaves spots and film on glasses and builds up on dishwasher spray arms and inlet screens, which is worth mentioning when you book a repair. Source: Columbia Water 2025 Consumer Confidence Report
South Carolina does not issue a license specific to appliance repair; mechanical work such as plumbing, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration is licensed by the Contractor's Licensing Board for commercial-scale jobs and by the Residential Builders Commission for residential HVAC and plumbing. Source: S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 11 (Contractors), South Carolina Legislature
In South Carolina, you can check a license with the SC LLR License Lookup or report a problem to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
Questions to Ask a Columbia Technician
- What guarantee do you give on parts and labor?
- What is the service call or diagnostic fee, and is it applied to the repair?
- Do you also handle the water supply and drain connections, or should I call a plumber for those?
Dishwasher Repair FAQs: Columbia, SC
Is my dishwasher worth fixing?
How do I get rid of a dishwasher odor?
How much does dishwasher repair cost in Columbia?
Dishwasher Repair by Brand in Columbia
Dishwasher Repair in Nearby Cities
Before you call a Columbia technician, clean the filter at the bottom of the tub, run the kitchen faucet until the water is hot and check that the drain hose under the sink is not kinked. If the problem stays, have the model number ready.