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 benefits of owning a home, but as your Ballston home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your systems and appliances. A home warranty in Ballston can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Ballston.
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
In Ballston, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
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
In Ballston, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164.
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 Ballston, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953.
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 Ballston, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
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
In Ballston, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505.
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 Ballston, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443.
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 | $6,194 |
| Heating | $4,129 |
| Electrical | $619 |
| Toilets | $516 |
| Washer/Dryer | $826 |
| Plumbing | $619 |
| Oven | $1,652 |
| Fridge | $619 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Ballston homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down 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 fix 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 provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, and others. Protected systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Ballston homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with 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 natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and 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 lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Favorable ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Ballston and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies provide extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Ballston can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Ballston. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Ballston. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Ballston include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, 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 has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Ballston, where the median home value is $323,580, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
