By Kathleen Madigan

The unrelenting screech from the dryer annoyed Dona Stone every time she did laundry. But so did the idea of hiring a professional for repairs.

"There has to be another way," the Rowlett, Texas, resident told herself.

With the help of an online video and a $20 part, she repaired the dryer on her own in 45 minutes and joined the ranks of do-it-yourselfers reshaping the nation's service economy.

Consumers facing stagnant wages and tight budgets are rethinking spending on an array of services. They are lengthening the time between haircuts, shunning movie theaters for in-home entertainment and taking over tasks once left to professionals. The shift is one reason inflation-adjusted household spending on services has grown more slowly in this economic expansion than during previous upturns.

The can-do attitude saves consumers money and gives them a sense of empowerment, but it also dings the appliance- repair industry. Spending on appliance repair collapsed an inflation-adjusted 15.7% from the housing bust in 2006 through the recession's end in mid-2009, according to Commerce Department figures. It fell 11% more so far during the expansion.

The drop is contributing to a thinning of the ranks of repair professionals and weaker wage growth for those who remain. Market-research firm IBIS World named appliance repair as the riskiest career for 2015.

Annette Carovinci's experience helps explain why. When her front-loading washer went on the fritz last fall, Ms. Carovinci called for an expert to visit her house in East Northport, N.Y. She waited a week for a Saturday appointment and was told it would cost $110 "just for the guy to walk in the door," she said.

The wait allowed Ms. Carovinci to investigate online why the washer wouldn't finish a rinse cycle or rebalance itself. She concluded the washer needed a new balancing center and ordered the part from RepairClinic.com for $23 plus $ 10 for quick delivery. She fixed the washer in less than four minutes.

"It is so rewarding to me that I can do this myself," Ms. Carovinci said. "It is empowering."

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