Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Menlo Park has a great number of perks — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is updating or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Menlo Park. Read on for our recommendations.
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 Menlo Park, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been operating for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty Review.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
In Menlo Park, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been operating for over 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty Review.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care 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 Menlo Park, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been operating for over 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our American Home Shield Review.
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
In Menlo Park, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been operating for over 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty Review.
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
In Menlo Park, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been operating for over 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 Menlo Park, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been operating for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Menlo Park area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $8,250 |
Heating | $5,500 |
Electrical | $825 |
Toilets | $688 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
Plumbing | $825 |
Oven | $2,200 |
Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Menlo Park homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out 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 arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with modern appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and locksmiths. Menlo Park homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Menlo Park to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Home warranties are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Menlo Park reaching an average high of 65℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
One major drawback of a home warranty is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and select 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 Menlo Park can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Menlo Park.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Menlo Park include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Menlo Park, where the median home value is $2,549,093, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.