Top Home Warranties for First Time Buyers

PUBLISHED: OCT 05, 2021 • 6 MINS READ

It can be frustrating to buy your dream home, move in, and realize that it needs repairs on major items. If you are staying in a rental home, you may call your property manager when the air conditioner (or something else) blows out. But when you own a home, it becomes your responsibility to get the repairs done. That’s where a home warranty plan comes in, to provide peace of mind to homeowners/buyers.

Home warranrty for new home

A home warranty is a service contract to protect you from unexpected repair or replacement costs of major home systems and appliances. It can help alleviate some of your financial burdens. With so many available options, it can be difficult to choose a home warranty as a first-time buyer.

Keep reading to find out the best home warranty companies for first time buyers, what they cover, how much they cost and more.

Top Home Warranty Companies

To make your life simpler, we have done the research and listed out the best home warranty companies. Take a look-

Discounts – Multiple Property Discount ($50 off) + Referral Discount ($25 Gift Card) + $50 Realtor Discount

American Home Shield

✓ Provide coverage without maintenance records

✓ Available in 49 states

✓ High coverage caps

Discounts – $150 off +free roof coverage + 2 months free

Select Home Warranty

✓ Low service call fee

✓ Responses within a day

✓ Wide contractor network

Discounts – Free first month + limited roof coverage

Choice Home Warranty

✓ Offers 24/7 customer service

✓ Monthly premiums start from $46

✓ System coverage of $3000

Discounts – $200 off + 2 months free

ServicePlus Home Warranty

✓ 90 days repair guarantee on parts

✓ Online customer portal

✓ Guaranteed response in 48 hours

Discounts – $50 off on Platinum Premier with Washer/Dryer and Bundle Plans

American Residential Warranty

✓ Offers various plans

✓ Covers electronic devices

✓ Customers can pick their own technician

What are the different warranties available for a new home?

There are different types of warranties available in the market for new houses, such as:

Builder’s warranty: It is a warranty plan provided by the builder or developer for newly constructed homes. Most builders warranties cover workmanship for a year or two, but for major structural elements, the term duration may be 10 years.

Home warranty: It is a service contract for inexpensive repairs and replacements. It is one of the most common warranties that people purchase to add financial protection to their home systems and appliances. It typically lasts for a year but can be renewed at the end of the term. However, the contract can sometimes be monthly as well.

Homebuyer’s warranty: A home buyer’s warranty is generally provided by the sellers or realtors. It is a service contract for critical home systems and appliances that break down due to everyday wear and tear, aging, or mechanical malfunctions. These plans have to be purchased within 30 days of closing on a home.

OEM: The original equipment manufacturer warranty is provided by the manufacturers of any device or product. Once it ends, you can buy an extended warranty for the same product, often from the same manufacturer.

When should you buy a new home warranty?

People often get confused with the thought of purchasing a home warranty. They don’t know when to buy one. We have listed a few instances where you can consider a home warranty plan for your home items.

When you want to save money

A home warranty helps you protect your budget by covering the costs of expensive repairs and replacements of your major home equipment. For instance, an HVAC replacement could cost you thousands of dollars. You can save the extra repair costs with a home warranty plan, since they generally cost an average of $30 per month in premium payments with a service call fee per visit. You don’t have to pay anything over this for covered repairs.

When you want to save time

Time is money, and you can save valuable time with a home warranty. If any of your covered items break down, you can call your service provider instead of frantically searching for help. Most companies provide 24/7 customer assistance. You just need to submit a service request and within some time the company will send a technician to your home. Some companies even offer services for emergency claims.

When you move into an older home

Repairs may be complicated, if you’re moving to a home with outdated systems and appliances. In such cases, you can purchase a home warranty to minimize repeated costs associated with often-malfunctioning household items.

When you don’t want additional liabilities

You can request the seller or real-estate agent to provide a home warranty to protect your home appliances and systems while you settle in your new home. Sellers may sometimes offer home warranty plans for free as an incentive to attract buyers.

What does a new buyer’s warranty cover?

A new buyer’s warranty plan covers the following major home systems and appliances:

Electrical system

HVAC system

Refrigerators

Stoves

Washing Machine

Dryer

Water Heater

Microwave

Plumbing system

Oven/Range

Dishwasher

However, depending upon the company and the plan you have selected, there can be more items offered as optional add-ons at an extra cost, such as:

Spa

Swimming Pools

Roof Leaks

Second Air Conditioner

Cost of first-time buyer warranties

The average cost for first-time buyer home warranties ranges from $300 to $600 annually. However, the total cost depends on the coverage desired, optional add-ons, area of residence, and the type of home you have. For instance, the cost for single-family and multi-family homes goes up to $600 and $2000 (annually), respectively. Along with the premiums, you are required to pay a service call fee whenever a technician visits your home for repairs. This fee ranges between $60 to $125.

Check out the table below to see the monthly costs of home warranty plans.

Monthly premiums

$25 – $100

Service call fees

$85

Monthly premiums

$34.99 – $114.99

Service call fees

$75 – $125

Monthly premiums

$35 – $55

Service call fees

$60 – $75

Should You Buy A Home Warranty For A New Home?

The issues in new homes are more common than you think. There may be defects in your new home that are not always readily detectable, and you may notice them after living in the house for a while. In such cases, there are some home warranty plans which you can consider buying. It covers failures due to unknown pre-existing conditions or due to improper installations, modifications, or repairs. Even if your newly constructed home passes the final inspection checks, the quality of items installed is not always guaranteed. As a countermeasure, you can purchase a home warranty that can protect you against such unforeseeable problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What warranty comes with a new house?

New homes generally come with a builder’s warranty. It covers permanent items like concrete floors, electrical work, or plumbing. If you purchase a pre-owned home, the previous owner may transfer the plan to you. A home warranty may be added if there are many aging home systems included in the sale.

How to purchase a home warranty?

To buy a home warranty, you can start by determining your coverage needs and do some research into plans that meet your requirements. After that, you can check out Home Warranty Reviews to find out companies offering services in your area and get free quotes. Lastly, read the fine print before signing the contract.

How long is a homeowner warranty?

A homeowner warranty generally lasts for a year that homeowners can renew at the end of the contract. Some companies also offer warranties for a longer period of time like 2-3 years.

Are new home warranties transferable?

New home warranties are easily transferable. The structural warranty on the new construction homes is only for the original buyers. When that home is resold, the warranty can be transferred to the new owner. As for a home warranty, if the plan is in effect at the time of sale, it can be transferred to the home buyer.

Can you negotiate a home warranty?

You cannot negotiate with the home warranty companies, though you can avail of discounts. However, while purchasing a home, you can negotiate by asking the seller to pay for the premiums of the home warranty at least for the first year. You can also negotiate similarly on the deductibles. However, first you need to make sure that you’re getting a home warranty with your purchase.

How to transfer the American Home Shield warranty to new owners?

If you are moving, you can transfer the remainder of your warranty plan to new owners by calling AHS on 866.311.1235.

Is there a 30 day wait period on home warranty for new owners?

If you purchase a home warranty through a real estate transaction, the coverage begins on the day of closing. However, there is a waiting period of 10-30 days on most homeowner’s warranties. If the previous owner transfers the warranty, the coverage will be continued on the home with no wait.

Should I choose between a new home warranty claim or a homeowners insurance claim?

A new home warranty is different from a home insurance claim. Home warranties cover the costs of repair and replacement of the covered items that break down due to normal wear and tear. On the contrary, home insurance protects against fire, floods, thefts, etc. There’s no competition between the two. If you want you can have both to add extra protection to your home.

Is a home warranty a good deal?

A home warranty can be a good deal for you. It provides peace of mind when you purchase a house with older appliances or used systems. It is relatively inexpensive, as the average monthly premium may cost you not more than $100. Lastly, if your covered item breaks down, you don’t need to spend time searching for a professional to fix it. The company will arrange for a trained service technician to diagnose and repair the problem.

I already have a manufacturer warranty on everything. Do I need a home warranty?

A manufacturer warranty generally offers service, repair, and sometimes replacement of the items it is attached to. These warranties last for a year from the date of purchase and are limited to the original buyers. If you are the original buyer of the appliance, you can opt for extended warranties for those items. However, once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, you can purchase a home warranty plan as per your requirements to avoid item-by-item spending.

How long is a home builder responsible for defects?

The length of the builder’s warranty varies according to the different components of the house it covers. However, the maximum duration for such coverage is ten years.