Latest news with #homewarranty
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best Home Warranty Companies Of 2025
The table below compares the ratings and costs of our top home warranty companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria, including service fees, plans and coverage, add-ons covered, years in business, and customer reviews and experiences. Learn More Get A Free Quote Get A Free Quote On Liberty Home Guard's Website Get A Free Quote On American Home Shield's Website Learn More Get A Free Quote On The Home Service Club's Website Get A Free Quote Get A Free Quote Get A Free Quote On Choice Home Warranty's Website Get A Free Quote On First American's Website You should expect home warranty costs to be about $325 to $1,200 per year on average or about $57 monthly. Average monthly costs for the lowest-tiered plan with the least amount of coverage hovers around $27 while the highest cost reflects the average plan with the most comprehensive coverage. Service fees can range between $50 and $150. Premiums are the cost you'll pay each month whether you use your home warranty or not, while service fees are what you'll pay each time a pro visits your home for a service call. You may be able to pay a lower service call fee if you pay a higher premium or vice versa, so keep that in mind when shopping around. These numbers were fairly consistent with the responses from our home warranty survey, with a majority of respondents (81%) citing their home warranty costs at around $801 to $900 per month. While it can be tempting to choose the absolute cheapest home warranty company or plan, we recommend considering other factors beside cost, including coverage, reviews and service guarantees. For a monthly cost and service fee, a home warranty can help reduce the overall cost of major repairs. Without one, you can expect to pay up to $2,000 out of pocket for common system and appliance issues. See a breakdown of typical repairs and their associated costs below: A home warranty should be tailored to your home. Before you lock down a company, it's crucial to do the following: Solidify Your Budget On average, home warranty plans cost between $300 and $600 annually, and you should expect service fees ranging from $50 to $150, depending on the company and your chosen plan. It's important to feel confident in your financial commitment on a monthly and yearly basis. Assess Coverage Needs What do you need coverage for in your home? Some people may only need coverage for appliances, like washers and dryers, or systems like HVAC and electrical, while others may want both. Get a clear picture of the items covered in each home warranty plan you review. Read Reviews Search each home warranty company on sites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp and Google to get a sense for how current and past customers feel about the business. Search specifically for local reviews and those that mention the specific issues you want to cover. Obtain Multiple Quotes Once you narrow down your choices to a few home warranty companies, you'll want to reach out for quotes from a few different companies. This will help you compare costs as well as what is included in each plan. Review Contracts and Terms Obtain a sample contract for each provider and read the fine print to ensure you understand everything. Each home warranty provider outlines its coverage restrictions in the fine print. For example, a home warranty company may offer up to $3,000 for HVAC repairs throughout your contract period. There may also be other restrictions or policies to note in these sample contracts too, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, whether you choose your own technician, typical response times, any workmanship guarantees and if you're subject to any cancellation fees. Understand the Claims Process A home warranty company becomes important when an issue arises. Inevitably, you'll have to make a claim, so it's pivotal to research a company's claim process before signing on. Some companies offer mobile apps that simplify making a claim, while others allow online submissions. Separately, you should ask each company you speak with about their average response times from putting in the claim to solving the issue. Home warranties can protect you against unexpected expenses. Click on your state today to find out more. Get Started Coverage varies provider by provider, but most home warranty companies cover major household appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers, as well as major systems like HVAC , plumbing and electrical. Many companies offer combination plans that are more comprehensive in nature, blanketing coverage over your whole home. Some companies dig deeper and offer more specialized coverage for things like pools, septic systems and sump pumps. Many home warranty companies won't cover structural issues (like windows, floors or doors), cosmetic damage to appliances or systems, natural disaster and weather-related damage and most areas outside the main house, like outdoor plumbing or sewer lines. Coverage for appliances or systems with pre-existing conditions is often limited. There are also restrictions based on how large your house is, and don't forget about coverage caps. Home warranties can be worth it for many homeowners, but it's a unique decision. For instance, a home warranty might be a better investment for someone with an older home where repairs needs might often arise than for those living in a new home with appliances still covered under manufacturers' warranties. We recommend considering the cost of your home warranty and service fees and comparing it to your expected average home repair costs. 'Always ask for clarification on exclusions to ensure you understand what is and what isn't covered,' says Marcus Hill , a member of Forbes Home Advisory Board with two decades of experience as a home appraiser and real estate investor. 'Watch out for excessive service call fees or unclear fee structures. Some companies charge high fees every time you request service, even if the repair is denied. Ensure the fee structure is reasonable and transparent.' You should also weigh how much you value peace of mind and check to see if your home qualifies for specific plans due to age and location. Finally, get several quotes from different companies to get the full picture of cost. Free, No-commitment Estimates Find A Home Warranty Company Earlier in 2025 we asked 1,800 homeowners how they felt about their home warranty policies, what they paid and how much they used them. Here are some of the most eye-opening findings: Peace of mind was the most common reason people cited for getting a home warranty policy at 64%, followed by covering their aging systems (44%) and appliances and rounded out by convenience (40%). It's probably no surprise that plan options and pricing were the most popular reasons people picked a home warranty plan, coming in at 47% and 44%. Other top reasons included brand reputation and recognition (35%) and recommendations from friends and family (32%). As for what's most commonly covered, a whopping 70% of people said their heating systems are a part of their home warranty plans, while 67% of respondents said their electrical systems were part of their plan. Other common coverage items were cooling systems 66% and plumbing at 62%. Many (87%) said they found it easy to understand the terms and conditions of a home warranty plan. A similar number (86%) were happy with the customer service of these companies if there were any issues. In perhaps the most reassuring number, 81% of respondents said they plan to renew when their home warranty plan expires. To determine the best home warranty companies, we analyzed 19 companies and 58 plans across several different attributes, including our in-house consumer sentiment analysis which included over 146,000 first-person insights. We also gathered and compared more than 100 price quotes to determine the best value. You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates home warranty companies on our detailed methodology page. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Home Warranty Companies Home warranties can protect you against unexpected expenses. Receive a custom quote today. Get Started Home warranties are an optional policy homeowners can purchase to protect their systems and appliances. For example, when your dishwasher breaks and leaves you with a costly bill, a home warranty can step in and help to cover those costs. Home warranties typically cover repairs or replacements of appliances and last for a set period of time. This type of warranty is not included with the purchase of a home and comes at an added cost to the homeowner, paid either via contract or annual or monthly fees. The best home warranty company will provide a timely claims process and have a fee structure that meets your budget. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests asking yourself the following questions before making a commitment: • Does the warranty have the potential to save you money? • What are the warranty's limitations? • Is the claims process grueling or slow? • Are you working with a reputable company? Some of the complaints we've seen about home warranties include caps on claims, the inability to choose your own contractor and delays in connecting with a company to get a contractor to come out to your home. However, some complaints can stem from points in the contract that may not have been explained or addressed in detail. To avoid purchasing a home warranty that won't provide what you need, ensure you review the contract thoroughly before committing. Homeowners insurance typically covers disasters and other covered incidents that can affect your home's structure. These are typically mandatory in order to obtain a mortgage loan. Home warranties are optional and cover routine home repairs and replacements on covered systems and appliances. With a home warranty, you'll select a plan and pay a premium, usually monthly. Once you have a repair that should be covered under your plan, you'll typically request service through the company and pay a service fee for a technician to come to your home. From there, if the repair is covered under your plan, they'll perform the service or follow-up with any additional info.
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Are Home Warranties Worth It?
In order to find out more about the value of a home warranty plan and how homeowners feel about their policies, we surveyed 1,800 homeowners in March 2025 who have purchased a home warranty in the past year. We found some key insights that may help inform your decision on if a home warranty is worth it, especially in these key situations. You Value Financial Peace of Mind When asked, 64% of people in our survey said peace of mind was a major driver for taking on a home warranty, the most common answer that homeowners gave. A home warranty can offer great peace of mind if you're concerned about upfront repair or replacement costs. For example, a broken fridge typically costs about $250 to fix, while refrigerator replacement can climb to $2,000. Home warranty policies can help you avoid paying for a pricey repair on the spot and instead limit your cost to a monthly premium and a service fee if the repair is covered. Your Appliances and Systems Are Getting Old When your appliances are nearing the end of their lives, they may need more frequent repairs or even replacement. Forty-four percent of people surveyed said they require coverage for aging systems and that was one of their reasons for opting for a home warranty. Home warranty plans are typically more valuable for older appliances and systems because of their tendency to break down while also no longer being under the manufacturer's warranty. However, some home warranty plans have age limits or restrictions on preexisting conditions, so be sure to ask about these if this is your main reason for getting a plan. You Don't Need To Choose Your Own Technician Unless you have a roster of great technicians, it can be a job in itself to find a contractor you trust who is in your budget and available to perform a repair. In fact, 40% of homeowners surveyed said they wanted to have a single service for arranging repairs and that was a reason they opted for a home warranty. With home warranty plans, you typically submit a request for a repair and the company will assign an approved contractor without you needing to do the legwork. However, if you do have pros you trust, you can still find a home warranty plan that will allow you to work with your own contractors, but there may be preapprovals required and other restrictions. Budget Management and Potential Savings Homeowners know that home maintenance can quickly add up, especially in older homes when repairs on and replacements of multiple items seem to pile up all at once. Home warranties can come in handy when budgeting because instead of factoring in the variable costs of multiple repairs or replacements, you can better anticipate what you'll pay with set premiums and service fees. You can also save money because even one repair without a home warranty can greatly exceed the cost of your monthly premium. It tracks then that 35% of those we surveyed said budget management was a plus of a home warranty plan. Keep in mind that not all home repairs will be covered, whether because of the reason for the repair, coverage limits or the item not being a part of your plan, but a home warranty can help give you some control over common repairs on your most important appliances and systems. You Lack the DIY Skills To Do Repairs While you may have some DIY skills, there's no shame in being unfamiliar with or intimidated by repairing certain home appliances or systems. In fact, we'd recommend you leave more dangerous tasks to the pros. Having access to a network of trusted contractors with a home warranty plan can be a serious perk and relieve the stress of trying to repair something yourself. Reduces Stress for New Homeowners Home warranties often come with a new home, but if your closing didn't come with one, it can still be a wise purchase for a new homeowner. The first year of home ownership can be daunting as you get used to unexpected repairs, especially in an older home. A home warranty plan can give you a resource to check out any interesting sounds coming from your dishwasher or flickering lights in your basement. Selling a Home With a Home Warranty Included The housing market can be tough, so adding a home warranty as part of the deal can be a smart way to make your home more attractive. Additionally, some home warranty plans can protect your home during the listing period, which can come in handy to ensure everything stays in tip-top shape.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Home Shield Now Offering 50% Off Its Most Popular Plans During the Blazing Days of Summer
MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Home Shield , a Frontdoor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTDR) company and the nation's leading provider of home warranties, is now offering 50% off its ShieldGold™ and ShieldSilver™ home warranty plans for a limited time. "With summer now well underway and heat waves impacting much of the country, we are offering 50% off on two of our most popular plans to help homeowners protect their major home systems and appliances," said Kathy Collins, Frontdoor, Inc.'s Chief Revenue Officer. An AHS home warranty is a one-year, renewable home warranty plan that covers selected major home systems and appliances, like heating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigerator, water heater, and washer and dryer. Plans can cover the repair and replacement costs when parts of covered systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage becomes effective 30 days after the contract is signed. The ShieldSilver plan covers parts of 14 major systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) to help keep your home running. The ShieldGold plan protects parts of 23 major home systems, plus appliances in your home. As an added benefit of the ShieldGold plan, members can video chat through the AHS app with a highly experienced, live repair Expert to help with the issue at no extra cost. The Expert can help assess or potentially even fix the problem right over-the-phone. For more information, please visit , or for coverage details, including fees, limits, and limitations and exclusions, visit New Jersey Residents: The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer. About Frontdoor, Inc. Frontdoor is the industry leader in home warranties and new home structural warranties, and a leading provider of on-demand home repair and maintenance services. As the parent company of two leading brands – American Home Shield and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty – totaling more than two million members – we bring over 50 years of experience in the home warranty category, a cultivated national network of independent service contractors, and a reputation for delivering quality service and product innovation. American Home Shield, the leader in home warranties, gives homeowners peace of mind, budget protection and convenience, covering up to 23 home systems and appliances from costly and unexpected breakdowns. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is the leader in new home structural warranties, providing home builders with coverage for structural failures. These two brands, together with Frontdoor's cutting-edge on-demand services, provide an unbeatable combination that meets the full suite of homeowner repair and maintenance needs. For more information about Frontdoor, Inc., please visit . FTDR-Company View source version on Contacts Alison Bishop901.701.5198mediacenter@ Tom Collins901.701.5198mediacenter@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Be a man of your word': Request to local homebuilder
Homeowners Michael and Susanne Beaudoin in front of their home in Belle River, Ont., on July 17, 2025. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor) A Belle River couple is calling out Everjonge Homes Ltd. for not following up on their promise. 'Just stand by your product and fix it. That is all we have ever asked,' said Michael Beaudoin and his wife Suzanne. Following an independent engineering report and an evaluation from a Sarnia homebuilder, they were told the home needs to be stripped down and repaired that could cost them upwards of $1 million. The couple tell CTV News Windsor they have taken out a second mortgage but have run out of money to finish the work. They wish they requested their own home inspection before purchasing the 2,500 sq. ft. new construction home but say, due to the hot housing market, they were advised by their real estate agent against it. 'We were told (by the real estate agent) we were protected by Tarion, said Michael Beaudoin. 'We learned very hard that if a home inspector would have come through, they would have noticed things right away that we did question, but they know better.' The moved into the house 2016. That same year, they filed a claim with Tarion, a not-for-profit consumer protection organization, established by the Ontario Government. Tarion promises to protect new construction homebuyers with a seven-year warranty. 'It was a big fight to get them to help with us,' said Suzanne Beaudoin. Tarion ordered the homebuilder, Everjonge Homes Ltd, to make repairs but the Beaudoin's describe the work as a 'band-aid solution.' In 2019, Tarion provided $53,000 after a second warranty claim — money the Beaudoin's used to fix a major leak. Tarion tells CTV News the homeowners reached out again in 2021 about filing a major structural defect form — but never completed it. The Beaudoin's say Tarion said the water damage and mold in their home was not considered structural and therefore did not qualify. They have since filed a lawsuit — but Everjonge homes declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. The seven-year warranty has expired but Tarion writes in an email: 'We encourage the homeowners to file a further warranty form with is possible that Tarion may be able to engage the builder in trying to find a resolution – as we have seen in other cases where the warranty has expired.' The Beaudoin's also questioned the role of building inspectors from the Municipality of Lakeshore. The Ontario Building Code requires them to give their stamp of approval during each stage of construction. When questioned about the roles and responsibilities of the municipality to ensure window, doors and the envelop membrane of the house are waterproofed, official say in part: 'At this time, the Municipality of Lakeshore has not been contacted by the property owner to review or discuss the building permit process.' 'A home is, for most families, the largest purchase you ever make,' said John Revell, City of Windsor, chief building inspector. 'It can be a financial drain.' Revell says Building inspections are periodic spot checks, not exhaustive reviews but he says this was not always the case. Over the last 20 years there has been a drastic decline in licenced building inspectors across the entire province. He says today, deficiencies fall on the shoulders of homebuilders to ensure proper installation and the homeowner thereafter to maintain. As for where things stand today, a last plea for help to Everjonge Homes. 'Be a man of your word,' said Michael Beaudoin.
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
How to protect yourself against a dodgy tradie — and what to do if you've fallen victim to one
"If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is." That's the warning from Master Builders Queensland when it comes to picking a tradie to do home renovations. As a recent case in Brisbane shows, unlicensed operators are leaving people thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. So what should you do before hiring someone? CEO of Master Builders Queensland Paul Bidwell said the first step for any would-be renovator is to look into the person they're considering hiring. "Don't take anything at face value," he said. "Explore thoroughly." He said people should collect a minimum of three quotes before going ahead to make sure they're getting value for money. Otherwise, he says nothing beats collecting references from friends and family who've already used the tradie in question. Mr Bidwell said Queensland's trades licensing scheme is among the most robust in the country and licences are required for most work worth more than $3,300 — as is a valid contract. Through the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), home owners can search the name of the tradesperson they want to hire and actually verify whether they're licensed. That licence search also shows if they've had any directions made against them in the past. QBCC says a written, dated and signed contract "isn't just smart, it's an essential part of the process". The QBCC's Home Warranty Scheme (QWHS) covers all residential construction work performed in Queensland over $3,300 as well as all plumbing and electrical work, no matter the value. Not all home repairs or renovations are covered under this scheme. It's an insurance scheme which is funded by premiums contractors pay to the QBCC. People can generally make a claim if the tradesperson doesn't finish the work or the work is defective. The QBCC pays out the claim and then it tries to recover the money from the contractor. In some cases, that scheme will cover people if they are victims of fraud, but the QBCC says those are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Fraud victims can also pursue legal avenues through the courts. The QBCC advises people who believe they are fraud victims to report it to the police. Licensing schemes differ across the country, although Master Builders Australia says much of the advice is the same. MBA CEO Denita Wawn was particularly keen to warn against "handshake deals". Ms Wawn said the MBA was supportive of a more streamlined and consistent approach to licensing across the country, describing the current one as both "ad-hoc" and "not consumer friendly". "[We need] a transparent and accountable process to ensure that customers have got the capacity to easily check on people's licensing credentials," she said. For example, in New South Wales, a licence or certificate is needed to do any residential building work worth more than $5,000. In Victoria, a builder is required to be registered — in most cases — if the domestic building work is worth more than $10,000. All states and territories offer some kind of online database which allows people to check if their contractor holds a valid licence. Ms Wawn's final piece of advice echoed Mr Bidwell's — don't necessarily accept the cheapest price if it seems too good to be true.
