Heating Element Replacement Cost: Electric Oven Repair Guide

When your electric oven isn’t heating up like it used to, the heating element is usually the main suspect. You might notice uneven baking, longer preheat times, or even a dead oven that just won’t get hot at all. Before you start panicking about big bills or getting a new appliance, let’s break down what you’d actually spend if you need that heating element swapped out.

Most electric oven heating elements for standard models cost between $20 and $60 if you buy them yourself online. But that’s not the end of the story. If you want a pro to install it, the total cost usually lands between $120 and $250, depending where you live and what your oven model is. High-end or fancy brands can push that price higher, especially for rare elements.

A lot of folks try to fix it on their own, since swapping out a heating element isn’t rocket science for most models. Think unplugging, a couple screws, swapping parts, then plugging back in. If your oven is under warranty, though, don’t mess with it—contact the company first or you could void coverage. If it isn’t, and you love a good DIY win, you can keep the bill near just the cost of parts. Just remember: Safety first. Unplug that oven before you do anything.

• Figuring Out If the Heating Element Is Toast
• What You Really Pay: Parts and Labor Breakdown
• DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: Which Is Smarter?
• Ways to Cut Costs and Avoid Common Mistakes
• When to Repair Versus Replace Your Oven

Figuring Out If the Heating Element Is Toast

Before you drop cash on a new part or call someone in, you need to be sure the oven’s heating element is really shot. Here’s how to check, plain and simple.

First, look through the oven window when it’s on. The element should glow bright orange or red, especially after preheating. If you see dark spots, uneven color, or the element stays cold, it’s probably burned out.

• Oven taking way longer than usual to heat up?
• Food unevenly cooked or still raw in spots?
• No visible glow from the element when oven is set to bake or broil?

Those are big clues something’s wrong. Still not sure? Pop the breaker and unplug the oven. When the oven is cool, do a close visual inspection. Look for these:

• Blisters, breaks, or burnt areas on the metal element
• Corroded or loose terminals where the wires hook in
• Charring or melted bits on or near the element

If you want to get extra sure, grab a multimeter. This gadget checks if there’s an electric path through the element. Set it on the lowest ohms setting, and touch the probes to each terminal. A healthy element usually reads 10 to 40 ohms. Anything outside that, or no reading at all, means it’s toast.

Oven heating element failure is super common after a few years of use, especially if you use the oven a lot. Don’t forget: Odd smells, popping sounds, or visible sparks are all red flags. Unplug the oven and skip using it until you sort it out. Safety comes first.

What You Really Pay: Parts and Labor Breakdown

Let’s get right into the numbers. No one wants surprises when it comes to oven heating element costs. If you’re just looking for the part itself, most standard baking or broil elements run $20 to $60 for brands like GE, Whirlpool, or Frigidaire. High-end ovens like Bosch or Viking can be $80 or way more, especially if you need to order from a specialty supplier.

Labor is where things jump. Most appliance repair companies charge a flat hourly rate—typically $70 to $125 per hour. Replacing a heating element is usually a one-hour job, but some techs have a “trip fee” that covers their time to show up, which is often $50 to $90. So you might be charged for an hour, plus a trip fee, even if it takes only 20 minutes.

Some shops will roll the trip fee into the labor if you go ahead with the repair, but ask first—don’t assume. Also, if your oven is a double wall unit or a hard-to-reach design, techs might tack on extra charges for difficulty.

Quick tip: Always check if there's a diagnostic fee. That’s a fee just for visiting and identifying the problem, even before the actual repair.

One last thing—don’t forget about taxes or possible markup on the parts. Some repair companies charge more than retail for the element, so compare prices if you want to keep costs down.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: Which Is Smarter?

If your oven’s not heating and you figure the heating element is the problem, you’ve basically got two choices: roll up your sleeves and handle it yourself, or call in a repair tech. Each route comes with its own price tag, risks, and even bragging rights.

Let’s talk DIY first. Swapping out an oven heating element is usually pretty simple for most electric ovens—especially if you’re dealing with a standard model, not one loaded with touchscreens or smart features. A typical replacement goes like this:

• Unplug the oven to cut power. Never skip this—seriously, it’s not worth the shock.
• Undo the screws holding the old heating element in place inside the oven.
• Gently pull it out and disconnect the wires (snap a phone pic before you do, so you hook the new one up right).
• Attach the new element, secure it with screws, and plug the oven back in.

If you’re careful, you can have this knocked out in about 20-30 minutes. Tools needed? Usually just a screwdriver.

But here’s the catch: not all ovens are the same. If you own a high-end or older oven, parts might be tricky to find, the wiring could be brittle, or the setup isn’t what YouTube videos show. Mess something up, and you could blow a fuse or fry your oven’s control board, turning a $50 fix into a $400 headache.

Now, if you call a pro for oven heating element replacement, the obvious win is peace of mind. A trained tech will know exactly which part you need and spot any other issues before they get worse. They’ve also got access to brand-specific elements for trickier ovens. If you’ve got an oven still under a home warranty, let them handle it—otherwise, you risk voiding your coverage.

The downside for hiring a pro is cost. Labor can run from $100 to $200, depending where you live. Scheduling can also take a few days, which isn’t fun if you need dinner in a hurry. But, you get a guarantee and don’t have to worry about surprise electrical problems.

So, ask yourself: are you confident with tools and basic wiring, and do you have a standard electric oven? Give DIY a shot and save some cash. If your oven’s got quirks or you’re at all nervous about wiring, pony up for a qualified repair. A burnt-out oven right before Thanksgiving is a headache no one wants.

Ways to Cut Costs and Avoid Common Mistakes

If you want to save a chunk of cash on your oven heating element replacement, it pays to know a few tricks and steer clear of easy mistakes. Plenty of people end up spending more than they have to—mostly just from rushing or skipping a basic check.

• Shop by model number: Before you buy anything, check your oven’s model number (usually inside the oven door or on the frame). Wrong parts are a huge time-waster and hassle.
• Price shop online: Manufacturers’ replacement parts can be pricey, but sites like Amazon, RepairClinic, and AppliancePartsPros usually have generic versions that work just as well for half the price.
• Skip the middleman: If you’re handy, watch a trusted YouTube tutorial or check the oven’s manual first. Many oven heating elements are just a couple of screws and a pull-out job.
• Shipping speed matters: Need your oven working fast? Watch out for hidden shipping fees or "expedited" charges, especially with generic brands. Sometimes waiting two more days saves $20 or more.
• Check for recalls: It sounds obvious, but some heating elements are under active recalls. If yours is, the manufacturer might swap it at no cost—no need to shell out for the part or labor.

Avoid the biggest rookie move: forgetting to unplug your oven before starting. Don’t laugh—a surprising number of electrical injuries happen during minor repairs at home.

Not sure if it’s the element or the wiring? No shame in calling a pro just for a diagnostic visit. Most local appliance techs charge $50–$100 for a callout, and they’ll often put that fee toward the actual repair if you hire them for the job. It’s less expensive than frying your circuit board because you guessed wrong about the issue.

One last tip: hang onto your receipt and any old parts until you’re sure your oven is running like normal. Returning a dud or wrong-fit element is a lot easier if you keep the box and receipt handy.

When to Repair Versus Replace Your Oven

Deciding if you should repair or replace your oven isn’t always black and white. Here’s the deal: if swapping out the oven heating element is your only issue and everything else is solid, repairs make sense. Most parts for standard electric ovens are cheap and quick to install, so a simple fix can easily buy you a few more reliable years.

But timing and cost matter. If your oven is more than 10-15 years old, parts are hard to find, or you’re dealing with other problems like a busted control board, broken door, or temperamental thermostat, it’s probably time to move on. Newer ovens are way more energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill, plus you get modern features like Wi-Fi and better self-cleaning.

• Repair if it’s just the heating element, especially for ovens under 10 years old.
• Replace if you see rust inside, cracked glass, or if repairs cost over 50% of the price of a new oven.
• If your model is discontinued or parts are always on backorder, replacement usually saves you more hassle.

One handy rule: If you’re about to drop more than $300-$400 on a fix, check prices on new ovens. Sometimes retailers offer free delivery, haul-away, and even installation with purchase, making the upgrade less of a headache than you’d expect.

Always factor in your own comfort level too. If fiddling with repairs makes you nervous or short on time, a new oven (with a warranty) is a solid bet. But if you’re handy and want to stretch your appliance’s life, replacing the element is a low-cost, high-reward move.