Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
There are a lot of benefits of owning a home, but as your Waukesha home ages, you may have to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Waukesha.
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 Waukesha, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a plan 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 plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Waukesha area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total 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 Waukesha, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a plan 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 plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Waukesha area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield Review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Waukesha, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Waukesha area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services 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
In Waukesha, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Waukesha area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club 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 | $6,247 |
| Heating | $4,165 |
| Electrical | $625 |
| Toilets | $521 |
| Washer/Dryer | $833 |
| Plumbing | $625 |
| Oven | $1,666 |
| Fridge | $625 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Waukesha homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges 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 plan gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, washers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. It's important for Waukesha homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically provide protection for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific 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 companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Waukesha and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Waukesha can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Waukesha, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may have. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One main drawback of a home warranty is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Waukesha can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
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. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation such as 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 dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Waukesha.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords 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.
The different home warranties in Waukesha include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Waukesha is $332,418, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
