--- title: "University Place Built-In & Wine Cooler Repair" description: "Refrigerator, built-in and wine cooler repair in University Place, where many mid-century homes have remodeled kitchens. In-home diagnosis and a written quote." url: https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/university-place/ updated: 2026-10-22 publisher: "FridgeRepair.pro (Appliance Repair Pros)" phone: "(206) 350-0055" --- Pierce County, Washington # Refrigerator and Wine Cooler Repair in University Place Refrigerator, built-in, counter-depth and wine cooler repair in University Place. Many homes have mid-century bones and remodeled kitchens, and how the refrigerator was fitted into the cabinetry often explains why it's struggling. - $149 diagnostic, credited to the repair - Licensed, trained & insured - Parts & labor warranty - OEM parts - Mon–Sun, 8 AM – 8 PM In University Place, the way a refrigerator was fitted into the kitchen is behind many of the problems we’re asked to fix. Much of this mostly residential city between Tacoma and the Narrows, home to Chambers Bay, was built in the middle of the last century and remodeled since. We repair refrigerators, built-in and counter-depth units, wine coolers and freezers here. ## Mid-century homes, remodeled kitchens University Place grew up as a suburb of ramblers, split-levels and daylight basements, many on slopes with views toward the water. Kitchens in these homes have often been opened up and refitted, sometimes more than once. Refrigerators that went in during a remodel tend to be counter-depth freestanding models, panel-ready built-ins, or a refrigerator and a separate wine cooler side by side. ### When the fit causes the fault A freestanding refrigerator boxed in by new cabinetry is a frequent source of trouble. The unit was designed to breathe through gaps that the remodel closed up. Typical signs: - The compressor runs almost constantly - The sides or top of the cabinet feel unusually hot - Food near the front of the fresh-food section warms up on summer afternoons A true built-in works differently. It breathes through its own front grille, above the doors or down at the toe kick, and is meant to sit flush. If yours is a built-in, see [built-in refrigerator repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/built-in-refrigerator-repair/) for how we approach it. ## Wine coolers Undercounter wine coolers and beverage centers are a common addition in updated University Place kitchens and family rooms. The usual complaints are a unit that won’t hold temperature, a fan that rattles or stops, and condensation inside the door. Many are repairable, though some lower-cost thermoelectric models aren’t worth fixing once the cooling module fails. See our [wine cooler repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/wine-cooler-repair/) page for more. ## Visiting your home Homes on the slopes above Chambers Bay and along the bluff can have steep driveways and stairs. Tell us about parking and access when you book, and whether the unit sits in a kitchen island or a lower-level bar. Daylight basements are common in these hillside houses, and the lower floor sometimes has a wet bar with an undercounter refrigerator or ice maker. Undercounter ice makers that sit idle for weeks can grow slime in the bin and drain line, which leads to slow production and odd-tasting ice. Cleaning on the manufacturer’s schedule prevents most of that. ## Across the Narrows and next door Neighboring areas on our list include [Tacoma](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/tacoma/), [Fox Island](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/fox-island/) and [Lakewood](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/lakewood/). ## University Place neighborhoods and ZIP codes we cover All of University Place. **ZIP codes:** 98464, 98466, 98467 ## What we repair in University Place - [Refrigerator repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/refrigerator-repair/): French door, side-by-side, top and bottom freezer, counter-depth. - [Built-In Refrigerator repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/built-in-refrigerator-repair/): Full-size built-ins, columns, undercounter and panel-ready units. - [Freezer repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/freezer-repair/): Upright, chest and column freezers, including garage units. - [Ice Maker repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/ice-maker-repair/): Refrigerator ice makers and standalone undercounter machines. - [Wine Cooler repair](https://fridgerepair.pro/wine-cooler-repair/): Single and dual-zone wine storage, built-in or freestanding. ## How a repair visit works 1. **Call or send a request:** We reply within one business hour. We ask what the appliance is doing, the brand and, if handy, the model number from the label inside the door. 2. **Diagnosis in your home:** A technician tests the system and finds the actual fault. The visit is $149. 3. **Written quote first:** You get the price before any work starts. Go ahead and the $149 is credited toward the repair. 4. **Repair with OEM parts:** Common parts are often on the truck. If one has to be ordered, we book the return visit when it arrives. Parts and labor are covered by our warranty. ## Repair service in University Place: FAQ ### Why does my counter-depth refrigerator run all the time since the remodel? The most common reason is airflow. Freestanding counter-depth models still need clearance at the top, sides or back, depending on the design, and remodels sometimes close those gaps with trim or panels. When the condenser can't shed heat, the compressor runs longer and food on the top shelf gets warm on hot days. Check the installation manual's clearance figures, then call us if temperatures still drift. ### Is my wine cooler supposed to feel warm on the sides? Some do. Compressor-based wine coolers often release heat through the cabinet or a front grille, and thermoelectric units vent heat from a fan on the back. Warm sides alone aren't a fault. It's worth a call if the interior won't reach your set temperature, the fan is noisy or stopped, or water is collecting inside the cabinet. ### Do you work on Day Island and the waterfront streets below the bluff? We do. Some of those streets are narrow with limited parking, and a few homes sit below the street with stairs or a steep drive. Mention that at booking, along with where a van can legally stop, and the technician can plan what to carry down in a single trip instead of walking back up for tools. ## Other cities we serve - [Auburn](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/auburn/) - [Bellevue](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/bellevue/) - [Bothell](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/bothell/) - [Clyde Hill](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/clyde-hill/) - [Edgewood](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/edgewood/) - [Federal Way](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/federal-way/) - [Fife](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/fife/) - [Fox Island](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/fox-island/) - [Gig Harbor](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/gig-harbor/) - [Hunts Point](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/hunts-point/) - [Issaquah](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/issaquah/) - [Kirkland](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/kirkland/) - [Lakewood](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/lakewood/) - [Medina](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/medina/) - [Mercer Island](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/mercer-island/) - [Mill Creek East](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/mill-creek-east/) - [Olympia](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/olympia/) - [Redmond](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/redmond/) - [Sammamish](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/sammamish/) - [Seattle](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/seattle/) - [Tacoma](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/tacoma/) - [Woodway](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/woodway/) - [Yarrow Point](https://fridgerepair.pro/service-area/yarrow-point/) ## What it costs to start The in-home diagnostic is **$149**. If you go ahead with the repair, that amount is credited toward it. You get a written quote before any work begins, and every completed repair carries a parts and labor warranty. [How our pricing works](https://fridgerepair.pro/pricing/) ## Independent, all brands FridgeRepair.pro is operated by Appliance Repair Pros, a licensed and insured repair company. We aren't tied to any manufacturer, so we repair every major brand and install OEM parts. Still under the manufacturer's warranty? Call the manufacturer first. --- FridgeRepair.pro · (206) 350-0055 · service@fridgerepair.pro · Mon–Sun, 8 AM – 8 PM Service provided by Appliance Repair Pros, an independent repair company. Not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by any appliance brand.