Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Being a homeowner in Charlotte is a great option for those who enjoy bustling cities. However, as great as Charlotte is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of headaches, such as trying to deal with your appliance repairs yourself. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Charlotte.
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 Charlotte, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also 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 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 Charlotte, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also 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 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Charlotte, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also 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 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Charlotte, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also 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 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield.
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 Charlotte, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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. The 2 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Charlotte, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also 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 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Charlotte, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also 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 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,313 |
| Heating | $4,208 |
| Electrical | $631 |
| Toilets | $526 |
| Washer/Dryer | $842 |
| Plumbing | $631 |
| Oven | $1,683 |
| Fridge | $631 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Charlotte homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with working appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Charlotte homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in Charlotte and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty providers might offer extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Charlotte’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and sign up for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Charlotte can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with 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 an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Charlotte. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
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 helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Charlotte is $387,055, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
