Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros
Last Updated May 2023
Are you thinking about getting a home warranty? Check out one of our recommended home warranty companies. There are many benefits of homeownership in Durham. But, major home systems and appliances, like your plumbing and kitchen appliances, can malfunction due to normal wear and tear, leaving you with pricey repairs.
A home warranty in Durham can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Even though a home warranty can help with your homeowner concerns, one issue is narrowing down the right choice for your Durham home. That's why we've done the research and have put together a list of the best home warranty plans in Durham.
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 offers the best overall home warranty for Durham residents. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 Durham, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty 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 has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
For a more detailed breakdown, 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Durham. AHS has been in business for about 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a home warranty 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. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Durham, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Durham area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
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
Isn’t available in 2 states
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Durham. When you purchase a home warranty 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 has 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Durham. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American's plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164.
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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Durham. Cinch has been in business for around 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch's service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. 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
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 | $6,291 |
| Heating | $4,194 |
| Electrical | $629 |
| Toilets | $524 |
| Washer/Dryer | $839 |
| Plumbing | $629 |
| Oven | $1,678 |
| Fridge | $629 |
A home warranty is a service contract that cuts back on the cost of repairs when one of your home systems or appliances breaks down. A home warranty can help homeowners who need to keep a budget in place and don't have the savings to pay for large repair or replacement expenses. Typically, about 30 days after buying a home warranty, the coverage will start on your home systems and appliances.
When you notice an issue with one of your appliances or systems, you can file a claim with your home warranty company. Then, a customer service representative will contact you about a contractor coming over to take a look at the issue.
The claim is then processed, and a homeowner will pay a service fee to schedule the repair. This repair will typically happen within 24 to 72 hours and there shouldn't be any out-of-pocket expenses. Most service fees are between $60 and $150.
A home warranty offers coverage on your home's major appliances and systems and it can help lower the cost of maintenance on your home. Appliances covered under a home warranty plan are usually the microwave, garbage disposal, dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, and more. Systems that are covered include electrical systems, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing.
Many home warranty plans also provide add-on coverage options for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and even central vacuums.
A home warranty will only help you with repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. If you don't take care of your appliances or systems and follow preventative maintenance guidelines, the home warranty will not cover it. Also, a home warranty does not cover cosmetic damages, lack of maintenance, pre-existing conditions, and misuse.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Durham hitting an average high of 69℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
In addition, though it varies by company, 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 maybe even make your home sell faster.
As for the negatives of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it's important to review what each plan covers and doesn't include in the contract.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don't cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you aren't sure or if this is a problem for you.
Selecting the best provider for your home warranty is a step you can take to help protect your house. Here are some tips on buying a home warranty in Durham:
Our pick for the best overall home warranty in Durham is Choice Home Warranty, but the best company for you will vary based on factors like what appliances and systems you need to have covered.
A home warranty protects against the normal wear of home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in a situation like a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which are not that common in Durham.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, landlords, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can protect you from expensive repair bills, but only if you decide to purchase a good quality plan from a reputable company. When deciding which home warranty company to purchase a plan from, you should look for things like its customer service and availability in your area. In addition, you should think about the kind of coverage the company offers and what appliances and systems are covered. Homes that have new appliances or systems can get by on a plan with less coverage.
Many homeowners find a home warranty is worth it because it can help protect against unforeseen expenses, and saving money is important with the cost of living going up a lot in Durham. If you're worried about your finances and your ability to keep your home in good working order, a home warranty can help. One of the big advantages of a home warranty is that it can provide you some financial peace of mind.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Durham is $252,022, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
Home warranties typically will not cover problems that happen because of pre-existing conditions, lack of proper maintenance, intentional breaking of an appliance, or natural disasters. They only cover damage due to normal wear and tear. Although it doesn't cover all kinds of damage, a home warranty can still be useful to help you save some money in a city like Durham.
