Beware of Home Warranties

Home warranties to a licensed general contractor might not make as much sense as they would to somebody who doesn't know anything about home repairs or home appliances. If I didn't know anything about these items & I had the right home warranty in front of me, I would probably sign on the dotted line.

Like any contracts, make sure that you read your home warranty from cover to cover. You ought to also understand everything that is written within it. If you don't understand the home warranty or have doubts about some being written within it, you ought to have the insurance company describe that particular item to you, until it makes sense.

You ought to understand what is covered in your home warranty & what is not covered. Some home warranties cover plumbing repairs that are easily available, but don't cover any plumbing below the floor.

If you buy a brand-new house full of new appliances, plumbing & electrical that has been inspected by a qualified building inspector, a home warranty might not make as much sense as it would to somebody living in an older home with older fixtures, that might be operating on their final days.

You ought to also understand average life spans of household appliances. Items that are used regularly like garbage disposals, dishwashers, wash machines, dryers & garage door openers might not last as long as heating & air-conditioning units that are only operated seasonally.

Home warranties like anything else, seem to make sense to some people, but don't make sense to others. If you cannot unclog drains & toilets, but know how to paint, I would suggest that you look in to a home warranty that might make sense to you.