Think of a home warranty like your cars warranty from a dealership. If something happens after you purchase a new car, you can get it repaired if the car is still under warranty. It’s the same way with a house. But is it worth it? Let’s find out!

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the expenses to replace or repair certain items and appliances within the home. Some examples of items covered can include your washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, electrical, plumbing, roof, and probably the most important here in Houston – the HVAC system.

It’s just like any normal insurance policy. You have a premium to pay to get the coverage. If an issue arises with the home like HVAC issues for example, then you would make a call to the home warranty company and file a claim. They would then send out a service technician to diagnose the issue and make the determination if something needs to be repaired or replaced. Most of the time they will just repair the item, so don’t expect a full blown replacement unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Keep in mind, the item you are claiming needs to be fixed has to fall under what’s covered in the warranty package you chose.

The cost of a home warranty all depends on the package and add-ons you choose, but on average home warranties cost around $600. When you purchase a house you can opt to have this paid for at closing. In addition, you can also continue to renew your home warranty every year thereafter.

One thing to consider when deciding if purchasing a home warranty is worth it or not, are the service charges when you make a claim. Each company is different, but expect to pay $75 to $125 for each visit a technician makes after you file a claim. So if your microwave stops working, unless it’s made of gold, just go buy another one!

In our opinion, it all depends on the condition and age of the home and it’s appliances. If you are purchasing a new construction home, then it may not be worth paying $600 for a home warranty when you will have a builders warranty and manufactures warranty.

However, if you are the least bit concerned about the performance of an HVAC unit and it’s getting up there in age, then maybe you should consider purchasing a home warranty to be on the safe side. To each their own!

If you are interested in checking out a home warranty company that we know and trust, you can visit their website here.

Are you ready to start looking for your new home? Schedule an appointment with us to get your search started.