Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Kirkland has many positives, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Kirkland for you.
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 for Kirkland residents. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500.
For more information, read our American Home Shield full review. 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Kirkland residents. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,500.
For more information, read our First American Home Warranty full review. 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Kirkland residents. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 typically around $1,000-$2,000.
For more information, read our Cinch Home Services full review. 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Kirkland residents. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club full review. 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 | $7,318 |
| Heating | $4,879 |
| Electrical | $732 |
| Toilets | $610 |
| Washer/Dryer | $976 |
| Plumbing | $732 |
| Oven | $1,952 |
| Fridge | $732 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Kirkland homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file 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 cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and locksmiths. Kirkland homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include other things such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's 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 providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Kirkland to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Kirkland can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may experience. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Kirkland can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Kirkland. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, home sellers, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can cover your home’s appliances, systems, 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 typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Kirkland, where the median value of a home is $1,104,694, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
