Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Irmo has many advantages — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the best home warranty providers in Irmo.
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 Irmo, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has over 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 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 Irmo, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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 Irmo, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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 Irmo, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 Irmo, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Irmo, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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 Irmo, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. 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 home warranty plans 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. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,340 |
| Heating | $4,227 |
| Electrical | $634 |
| Toilets | $528 |
| Washer/Dryer | $845 |
| Plumbing | $634 |
| Oven | $1,691 |
| Fridge | $634 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Irmo homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and roof leaks. Irmo homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet 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 on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Irmo. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Irmo can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet technicians on your own, home warranty providers 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.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Irmo. Our top-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 opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Irmo.
A home warranty can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Irmo include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options 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 is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Irmo, where the median home value is $270,411, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
