Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Although homeownership in Menlo Park has a lot of perks — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is updating or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Menlo Park. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
In Menlo Park, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
In Menlo Park, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
In Menlo Park, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for over 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield to learn more.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In Menlo Park, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for over 39 years. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
In Menlo Park, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for over 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
In Menlo Park, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $8,250 |
| Heating | $5,500 |
| Electrical | $825 |
| Toilets | $688 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
| Plumbing | $825 |
| Oven | $2,200 |
| Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Menlo Park homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with working fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, and more. Protected systems include plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Menlo Park homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Menlo Park and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Menlo Park can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Menlo Park. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Menlo Park.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, homeowners, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Menlo Park is $2,549,093, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
