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Repair it or replace it?

A practical way to stop guessing when an old appliance, tool, or system breaks.

THE SESAI: Compare what each option will cost you from today forward. Past repair money is gone; don't let it make the next decision for you.

Start with four numbers

Look at the repair cost now, the realistic life the repair is likely to buy, the installed replacement cost, and the expected life of the replacement.

Price the time you're buying

A $450 repair that plausibly buys four more years can be a better deal than a $2,200 replacement. A $900 repair that may buy six months probably is not.

Watch for clusters of failure

One failed wear item is different from a machine with several aging systems. Repeated failures are evidence, not bad luck to ignore.

Ignore sunk cost

Money you spent last year cannot be recovered. The useful question is simply: which option is better from this point forward?

Bottom line: Good decisions come from pricing the real tradeoff, not just reacting to the biggest number on the page.

SESAI provides general educational information, not individualized financial, legal, medical, tax, or professional advice.