Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are a lot of perks of owning a home, but as your Markham home gets older, you may find yourself needing to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty in Markham can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Markham. Read on for our recommendations.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Markham homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Markham homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our thorough 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Markham homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our thorough 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Markham homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Markham homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our thorough 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Markham residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club 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 offers 2 plans for Markham homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our thorough 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 | $6,483 |
| Heating | $4,322 |
| Electrical | $648 |
| Toilets | $540 |
| Washer/Dryer | $864 |
| Plumbing | $648 |
| Oven | $1,729 |
| Fridge | $648 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Markham homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Markham homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include additional items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Markham to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies include perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Markham can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet contractors by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
One downside of purchasing a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Markham can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Markham.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, investors, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Markham include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Markham, where the median home value is $126,501, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
