Repair vs. Replace Guide
A decision aid for one of the most common ambiguous calls. Run it through the Decision-Making Framework first; this guide structures the evaluation.
Factors to weigh
| Factor | Lean repair | Lean replace |
|---|---|---|
| Age vs. expected lifespan | Early in life | Near / past end of life |
| Repair history | First issue | Recurring (check past WOs) |
| Repair cost vs. replacement | Small fraction | Approaching replacement cost |
| Reliability / risk of recurrence | Low | High |
| Warranty status | Under warranty | Out of warranty |
| Tenant impact / downtime | Minor | Significant or repeated |
Rule of thumb
Lean replace when the asset is at or near the end of its expected life. Otherwise repair, weighing the factors above.
Related
- Investigation Checklist — pull repair history and purchase/warranty data first.