5 Best Home Warranties for Contractors (2022)

Home warranties cover the cost of repairing or replacing home appliances and systems when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Since you have a home warranty policy, you don’t have to hire a contractor for repairs yourself. Instead, you file a claim with your home warranty company, and they send a contractor.

If you’re like most homeowners, you want the peace of mind that the contractor has plenty of experience and does a good job. The quality of contractors that home warranty companies approve for repairs or replacements in your home is critical. Getting your breakdown or issue fixed right the first time is vital to maintaining your home. 

So, we researched the top home warranty companies in the U.S., thoroughly examined how they vet and pre-approved contractors, and put together this top five list. We thoroughly evaluated each company to ensure they work with the best contractors in your area. 

The Best Home Warranty Companies for Contractors in 2022

Home warranty policies are beneficial because they protect you from repair and replacement costs for your appliances and home systems. But ensuring you have a home warranty service provider with thoroughly vetted contractors is critical if you ever need a repair.

Since not all home warranty companies use the same home contractors, finding a policy that is best for your home is critical. Each of the top home warranty companies has well-trained and experienced contractors in the network. The best of the best also have great rates, responsive customer service, comprehensive coverage, and stellar reviews.

To help you determine which home warranty companies use the best contractors, we researched the top ones and put together our top five recommendations.

1. Choice Home Warranty – Best overall contractors
2. American Home Shield – Most customizable plans
3. Select Home Warranty – Most comprehensive policies
4. The Home Service Club – Quickest service
5. Liberty Home Guard – Best for customer support

1. Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is our number one pick for the best home warranty for contractors because they have a robust network of experienced, reliable contractors throughout the country. Along with only using the best contractors in the business, it has great coverage, reasonable pricing, and excellent customer service. It offers various home warranty plans and add-on coverage, making customizing one that fits your budget and requirements easy.

Choice Home Warranty has been in operation for nearly 15 years and is a top pick among homebuyers, real estate investors, and landlords. One of the most appealing features of Choice Home Warranty is that they charge a flat service call fee of $85, which is better than most of the competition.

CHW offers home warranties for every state besides WA. 

Key Highlights

• Claim services are available 24/7 every day of the year, allowing you to access the benefits of your policy no matter the time of day
• They send an in-network contractor to your home within 48 hours of filing a claim
• Includes a 90-day guarantee on parts and 60 days on labor

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

CHW has two home warranty plans along with optional add-ons:

• The Basic Plan ($45 per month / $560 per year): This plan is more cost-effective and protects your 14 most essential home systems and major appliances, such as clothes dryers, clothes washers, ovens, toilets, air conditioning systems, refrigerators, kitchen appliances, and more.
• The Total Plan ($53.33 per month / $660 per year): This is a comprehensive house warranty coverage that covers the repair or replacement of 18 major systems and appliances, including HVAC systems, plumbing systems, hot water heaters, cooktops, dishwashers, as well as everything the Basic Plan includes.
• Optional Add-Ons ($40-$180 per year): Provides nine extra add-on items and systems such as standalone freezers, well pumps, sump pumps, septic systems, septic tank pumping, pools/spas, and limited roof leaks.
• Services Fees: $85

For a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call them at 929-400-6164 or fill out its online form.

Continue reading about this home warranty company and its plans in our full Choice Home Warranty review.

2. Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty (SHW) is one of the most comprehensive house warranties around. They only use contractors that pass their stringent review process and provide three budget-friendly home warranty plans. Furthermore, they offer lots of extra coverage options to allow you to tailor your coverage to meet your home’s needs.

SHW has a B grade on the Better Business Bureau and a positive reputation on Trust Pilot (3.8/5 stars). They also have one of the lowest service fees of any home warranty company.

In business since 2009, Select Home Warranty serves 46 states (except for NM, NV, WA, and WY) and only with quality contractors. SHW has a great value when you consider how much they cover. A few of their plans even have free leak coverage for living spaces (excluding patios).

Key Highlights

• Lower than industry-average service fees
• Repair guarantee of 90 days
• No transfer fees for transferring your home warranty to the next owner when you sell

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

Select Home Warranty has three warranty plans with increasing coverage:  

• The Bronze Care Plan ($58 per month / $630 per year): Covers eight household appliances and systems, including clothes dryers, clothes washers, ovens, cooktops, built-in microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and garbage disposals.
• The Silver Care Plan ($57.67 per month / $630 per year): Covers everything in the Bronze plan, plus six more home systems and appliances – AC units, heating systems, ductwork, plumbing, electrical systems, and water heaters.
• The Gold Care Plan ($62.08 per month / $699.99 per year): Covers everything in the Bronze and Silver Plans plus garage door openers, ceiling fans, and plumbing stoppages.
• Optional Add-Ons ($39.99-$99.95 per year): Extra appliance and system coverage for additional light fixtures, electrical outlets, electrical switches, refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, ice makers, central vacuum systems, lawn sprinkler systems, wells, sump systems, septic systems,  spas/pools, and roof leaks.
• Service Fee: $75 to $125, depending on location

Get a free Select Home Warranty quote by filling in this form or calling 888-370-3953.

For more details, read our full Select Home Warranty review. 

3. American Home Shield 

For the top contractors, American Home Shield (AHS) is another one of our top recommendations. It’s one of the most experienced and successful home warranty providers, with over 45 years in business and nearly 1.3 million customers. With so much history in the industry, the company has cultivated a fantastic network of local contractors for repairs.

It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), good ratings on Trust Pilot, and coverage for all major home systems and appliances. American Home Shield offers a variety of optional extras to its home warranty plans, which is excellent for homeowners who want to customize their coverage.

If you want full protection for your home and everything in it, the ShieldPlatinum plan is the right option for you. It covers all of the essentials – 27 home systems and appliances in total.

American Home Shield provides home warranties in every U.S. state except AK. 

Key Highlights

• Three plans with varying deductible levels, which accommodate all types of budgets and homes
• Industry-leading coverage caps of $3,000 or $6,000 per appliance (depending on the plan)
• No preliminary inspections are required for enrollment

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

​​American Home Sheild has three plans:

• SheildSilver ($29.27- $44.27 per month / $347.88 – $527.88 per year): starts at $29.27/month and covers 19 home systems and appliances, including water heaters, sump pumps, smoke alarms, ductwork, interior plumbing, attic fans, and more.
• ShieldGold ($39.27 – $54.27 per month / $467.88 – $647.88 per year): starts at $39.42/month and covers 21 home appliances and systems, including most items covered in the Silver plan plus additions like clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
• ShieldPlatinum ($59.27 – $74.27 per month / $711.88 – $891.88 per year): starts at $49.57/month and covers 27 items, including everything covered in the two other plans, as well as automatic roof leak coverage. 
• Service Fee: $75, $100, or $125

Plus, you can add optional coverage for: 

• Pool and spa equipment 
• Septic system 
• Water backup and sump pump overflow
• Guest house (less than 750 square feet)
• Well pumps

To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this form or call them at  888-365-2839.

To learn more about American Home Sheild’s plans and coverage, read our entire review. 

4. The Home Service Club

The Home Service Club (HSC) is one of the best home warranty companies for contractors because it provides expert contractors for repairs and replacement of your home systems and appliances. HSC provides its home warranty plans to all 50, unlike most home warranty providers.

Furthermore, HSC’s home warranty has the shortest waiting period in the industry, at just ten days. This short period allows homeowners to utilize their home warranty much sooner than other top providers (which average 30 days or more).

HSC offers homeowners 11 optional add-ons to their home warranty package. One notable add-on is HSC’s roof leak coverage which includes attached garages – unlike most home warranty providers.

Key Highlights

• Free home warranty coverage for homeowners selling their home
• A 90-day guarantee on parts and 30 days on labor for all approved repairs and replacements
• Entry-level plan covers 18 home appliances and systems, which is more than most leading providers

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

The Home Service Club has two coverage plans with optional add-ons: 

• Standard Coverage Plan ($50 per month / $650 per year): Covers 18 home systems and appliances, including clothes washers, clothes dryers, electrical, water heaters, ductwork, HVAC, and more. 
• Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($62.90 per month / $800 per year): Covers all items in the Standard Coverage Plan with the additions of sewer/water/gas line leaks, plumbing stoppages, telephone wiring, and more – 33 home systems and appliances in total. 
• Optional Add-Ons ($3.33 to $16.66 per month): Extra coverage for sprinkler irrigation, well pumps, water/sewer/gas/power lines, water softeners, jetted bathtubs, freezers, sewage ejector pumps, and more.
• Service Fee: $60, $75, or $95 

For a free quote from HSC, complete this online form or call 800-842-9334.

And to learn more about this provider, check out our review of The Home Service Club.

5. Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) has many years in business and offers comprehensive home warranties to its clients. It’s one of the best warranty companies for contractors because it maintains a great network of pre-approved contractors. Its contractors repair your appliances and systems in your home fast but without sacrificing quality.

LHG has an A rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with nearly 300 reviews and a good 3.9/5 star rating on Trust Pilot. 

Liberty Home Guard plans all have low service fees, so you won’t be surprised by the expense when you need something repaired or replaced in your home.

LHG’s home warranty plans are available in the 48 states and Washington D.C.; the exclusions are WA and WI. 

Key Highlights

• Entry-level plans start at $64.99/month and cover basic appliances
• Readily available customer support – 24/7/365, making filing a claim simple
• 60-day workmanship guarantee – longer than almost every leading home warranty company

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

Liberty Home Guard offers three home warranty plans:

• Appliance Guard Plan ($64.99 per month / $649.99 per year): Covers 11 home appliances, including dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, garage door openers, built-in microwaves, cooktops, and more.
• System Guard Plan ($69.99 per month / $699.99 per year): Covers eight essential home systems, including air conditioning units, heating systems, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, water heater, toilet, and plumbing stoppages.
• Total Home Guard Plan ($74.99 per month/ $749.99 per year): Combination plan that includes everything in the Appliance Guard Plan and System Guard Plans.
• Service Fee: $75

For a free, no-obligation quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.

To learn more about the home warranty plans Liberty Home Guard offers, read our full review. 

Why are Contractors Important in a Home Warranty 

For a home warranty to work, you will eventually need a contractor if (or when) something breaks down. Contractors, which the home warranty company approves, are the ones who provide the service and repairs when something in your home breaks down. Without an approved and vetted contractor, you would have to pay for all of the repairs and replacements yourself.

Of course, when your home needs a repair, the quality of the contractor your home warranty company hires is critical. For example, if they only “half fix” the problem or provide a bandage solution instead of a complete repair, you can be faced with the same problem later. 

Therefore, home warranty companies with a robust network of experienced contractors and comprehensive plans are the best choice. 

Do Homeowners Need to Find a Contractor for Their Home Warranty?

No, homeowners never need to find a contractor themselves when they have a home warranty. That’s one of the benefits of a home warranty policy. Instead of wasting your time getting multiple quotes for a repair while avoiding fly-by-night repair services, all you have to do is call your home warranty company. They will send out a pre-vetted/approved contractor right away. 

What Do Contractors Cover in a Home Warranty

Contractors cover all repairs and replacements specified in your home warranty policy. If you have a problem with your roof, for example, and your home warranty policy covers it, the home warranty company will send out a contractor to make the necessary repairs. 

Or, if your clothes washer starts leaking and your home warranty covers it, a contractor will repair that too. 

How Much Do Contractors for a Home Warranty Cost?

The price of contractors for a home warranty varies depending on the home warranty company, your plan, and sometimes what state you live in. But, if you receive approved service and repair through your home warranty, you never pay the contractor directly. 

Instead, you pay your home warranty company your service fee (which ranges from $50 to $200) along with your monthly cost of the plan, and that’s usually it. In some cases, you might have to pay more if you exceed your coverage cap for certain items. 

For example, let’s say your air conditioner breaks down in your new home and needs an entire replacement, costing $2,750. Assuming your home warranty covers your AC unit and your coverage cap is $2,500, you will have to pay $250 out of pocket (plus your service fee). 

And again, even though the contractor does repair or replacement work in your home, you don’t pay them. You pay your warranty company, and they take care of the service request and paying the contractor.

How Does a Home Warranty for Contractors Work?

For a contractor to work with a home warranty company, the company must vet and approve the contractor first. This process usually includes a background check, proof of insurance and licensing (where required), and more. 

Once a contractor is approved, they can start taking service calls from home warranty companies in their area. When a home warranty customer calls their home warranty company with a problem, the home warranty company will send out the contractor to take a look and make the necessary repairs or tune-ups. 

Here is the general process for how your home warranty company sends a contractor to your home for a repair or replacement. 

Get a Home Warranty 

Before filing a claim to get a repair or replacement from an approved contractor, you need to have a home warranty policy first. Plans usually don’t cover pre-existing conditions. 

Something Breaks in the Home

A home system or appliances covered by your home warranty breaks down from normal wear and tear. It can be anything like your cooktop, pool, clothes dryer, or a roof leak, assuming these are covered items in your policy.

You Contact the Warranty Provider & File a Claim

You call your home warranty company when something breaks down or needs replacement. Then, they arrange a pre-vetted contractor to visit your house and assess the issue. 

The Contractor Fixes or Replaces It, and You Pay a Service Fee

If your home warranty policy covers the issue, the contractor fixes or replaces the problem. Then, you pay your home warranty company your service fee, and they pay the contractor. 

Be Aware of Your Policy Limits and Coverage Caps

Each home warranty company and policy is different, so make sure you know what’s covered in your policy. Also, pay attention to any coverage caps for each item, as that will determine if you have to pay anything out of pocket for a repair or replacement. Also, note that some items are plan options.

Final Thoughts

If you want protection on your major appliances and systems in your home, a home warranty is a good choice. A home warranty offers a way to prevent you from paying sudden, large expenses when something in your home breaks down and needs a major repair or replacement. 

Best of all, when you have a home warranty, you don’t have to go through all of the hassles of finding a good contractor yourself. All you have to do is file a claim with your home warranty company, and they will send an approved and vetted contractor to you. 

All of the major home warranty companies (including the five we recommend above) maintain good oversight with an in-depth contractor approval process. So, if you’re in the market for a home warranty policy, choose the company, price, and coverage that works best for your home.

House Method Home Warranty Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. 

To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.

We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five. 

Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories: 

• Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
• Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annual, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
• Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
• Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive.
• Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.