Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may enjoy owning a home in Federal Way, there's always that concern about whether your appliances and systems are going to need repairs over the next few years. A home warranty in Federal Way can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working 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 overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Federal Way.
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 Federal Way. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Federal Way. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Federal Way. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services 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 appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Federal Way. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 | $6,667 |
| Heating | $4,444 |
| Electrical | $667 |
| Toilets | $556 |
| Washer/Dryer | $889 |
| Plumbing | $667 |
| Oven | $1,778 |
| Fridge | $667 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Federal Way homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Federal Way 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 pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically provide protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Federal Way and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Federal Way’s frigid winters 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 if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving 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 too. Instead of having to vet service 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 benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of signing up for a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to natural disasters, improper maintenance, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Federal Way. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Federal Way. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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. In Federal Way, where the median home value is $564,681, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
