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Best Home Warranty Companies in Houston (2024)

Did You Know?

There are over 2,000 people who bought a home warranty plan from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing home warranty companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

40

Companies Reviewed

350

Quotes Collected

2000

Homeowners Surveyed


Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Houston


American Home Shield

Most Experienced
4.6
Our Rating
BBB Rating B Monthly Cost $42.31 Service Fee $100–$125

Why we picked American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) is our top pick for a home warranty in Houston. AHS is the most established provider on our list, serving homeowners since 1971. It remains a popular choice, due to its willingness to cover older items and damage caused by undetectable pre-existing conditions.

It offers three plans with excellent coverage. AHS’s coverage caps are also more generous than the industry average, so your items will be better protected from damage due to wear and tear.

3 Things to Know About American Home Shield

  • Choose your own contractor: American Home Shield allows customers to choose their own contractor, but it also has a nationwide network of licensed independent technicians to make repairs.
  • Maintenance services: AHS offers rekey services and air filter discounts with all three plans.
  • Customizable service fees: AHS allows homeowners to choose between $75, $100 and $125 for their service fee, which will adjust their monthly premium.

Coverage and Cost

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldPlatinum™, ShieldGold™ and ShieldSilver™. The ShieldPlatinum plan is the most comprehensive plan, covering 23 major systems and appliances.

If you want more coverage, American Home Shield offers these add-ons, which can be included in any plan at the time of purchase:

• Pool and spa
• Septic pump
• Electronic extended warranty
• Well pump
• Guest units up to 750 square feet

In general, American Home Shield plans cost between $40 and $58 a month. The company also allows you to choose a service fee between $75, $100 and $125. The higher service fee you select, the lower your monthly premium will be.

Plan Monthly Cost
Basic Plan $29.99
Medium Plan $59.99
Highest Plan $89.99

Select Home Warranty

Most Budget-Friendly
4.5
Our Rating
BBB Rating B- Monthly Cost $44.45 Service Fee $75

Why we picked Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty is our top choice for homeowners shopping on a budget, due in part to some of the lowest prices in the industry and a $75 service fee. In addition, Select offers free roof-leak coverage with the purchase of any plan — the only company to offer this perk. This may be especially attractive to Houston homeowners who can experience heavy rainfalls.

Select’s prices are low, but so are its coverage limits. Still, we recommend Select for an inexpensive home warranty that covers the essentials.

3 Things to Know About Select Home Warranty

  • Free roof-leak coverage: Customers can enjoy free roof-leak coverage with the purchase of any plan.
  • Inexpensive: Select Home Warranty’s $75 service fee and plan prices are among the cheapest in the industry.
  • Annual payment option: If you choose the annual payment plan, you’ll receive two months of free coverage.

Coverage and Cost

Select Home Warranty offers three plans with a similar structure to many of its competitors. The Bronze Care plan covers systems, the Gold Care plan covers appliances, and the Platinum Care covers the entire home for just $6 more per month.

In addition to free roof-leak coverage, Select Home Warranty offers these add-ons:

• Stand-alone freezer
• Sump pump
• Well pump
• Septic system
• Central vacuum
• Lawn sprinkler system
• Pool
• Spa

Select’s prices are inexpensive, and all three plans cost less than $50. Here’s how the price breaks down for monthly payments:

Plan Monthly Cost
Bronze Care $44.42
Gold Care $44.42
Platinum Care $47.75

Cinch Home Services

Our Pick for Bonus Benefits
4.5
Our Rating
BBB Rating B Monthly Cost $44.93 Service Fee $100–$150

Why we picked Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services, formerly known as Cross Country Home Services, is another reputable provider of home warranties, serving Texas homeowners since 1978. While Cinch’s prices can be slightly higher than the industry average, it offers deeper coverage and some unique perks not often included in typical home warranties.

3 Things to Know About Cinch Home Services

  • Strongest guarantee: Cinch offers the strongest service guarantee of any provider on our list. All repairs are guaranteed for 180 days.
  • Unique benefits: Cinch offers discounts on appliances, free water sensors and homeowners insurance deductible reimbursements.
  • Customizable service fees: Homeowners can choose from among three service fees, allowing more flexibility with monthly premiums.

Coverage and Cost

Cinch’s plan structure is similar to Select’s, with a plan to cover appliances, a plan to cover systems and a plan to cover the entire home. Cinch’s Complete Home plan includes coverage for 31 items and a homeowner’s deductible reimbursement.

If Cinch’s complete home plan does not have all the coverage you need, you can add any of these items during checkout:

• Pool
• Spa
• Pool with spa
• Septic tank/pumping
• Well pump
• Premier Upgrade Package

The Premier Upgrade Package is a popular choice among Cinch Home Services customers. For $10 per month, this upgrade will cover the cost (up to $1,000 per claim) of fees not usually covered by home warranties, such as permit upgrades.

Cinch’s prices are slightly higher than the industry average, but its coverage is also deeper. Homeowners looking for maximum protection should consider a Cinch Home Services plan. Here’s how much each plan costs with each service fee option:

Plan Monthly Cost
Built-in Systems $38.99
Appliances $43.99
Complete Home $54.99

First American Home Warranty

Our Pick for Add-on Coverage
4.5
Our Rating
BBB Rating B Monthly Cost $47.88 Service Fee $75–$125

Why we picked First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty is our top choice for Houston homeowners looking for comprehensive coverage. Many items covered by First American are fully covered with no dollar limit. Items that do have dollar limits are still well protected.

3 Things to Know First American Home Warranty

  • Comprehensive coverage: First American Home Warranty’s coverage caps are among the most generous in the home warranty industry.
  • Air conditioning add-on: Coverage for air conditioning is available only as an add-on. This is unique, but it can allow you to cover appliances and air conditioning without purchasing the more expensive Premier Plan.
  • Unlimited service calls: As long as an item is covered, you can place as many service calls as needed with First American.

Coverage and Cost

First American offers two plans: the Basic Plan and the Premier Plan. The Basic Plan covers appliances only, and the Premier Plan adds home systems to the Basic Plan’s coverage. If you need additional coverage, including air conditioning, First American offers several add-ons. Another popular add-on is the First Class Upgrade. This is similar to Cinch Home Services’ Premier Upgrade Package, which covers the cost of fees not normally covered by a home warranty.

Here’s a full list of First American’s add-ons:

• Air conditioning
• Well pump
• Pool and spa equipment
• Second refrigerator
• Septic tank pumping
• HVAC tune-up
• First Class Upgrade

First American’s prices compete well within the home warranty industry, and all plans come with an $85 service fee. Here’s the price breakdown:

Plan Monthly Cost
Basic $47.00
Medium Plan $57.00
Premier $72.00

AFC Home Warranty

Most Coverage Options
4.5
Our Rating
BBB Rating B Monthly Cost $35.18 Service Fee $75–$125

Why we picked America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty

 America’s First Choice Home Warranty (AFC Home Warranty) is our pick for Houston homeowners looking for the most coverage options. It also offers a workmanship guarantee that extends the life of your plan and provides service call fee flexibility, making it easy to customize premiums for your monthly budget.

3 Things to Know America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty

  • Unlimited workmanship guarantee: AFC Home Warranty guarantees repairs on your home systems and appliances for the life of your plan.
  • Excludes coverage for preexisting conditions: If you own a home with known or unknown preexisting conditions, AFC Home Warranty will not provide coverage for those items.
  • Offers service provider flexibility: If you have a service provider you’d prefer to contact for repair work, AFC Home Warranty gives you the option to do so.

Coverage and Cost

AFC Home Warranty has four plan options to choose from. The Systems Plan covers home systems, and the Silver Plan covers appliances. The Gold and Platinum plans cover a mix of both, with the Platinum Plan covering additional items, such as ice makers and plumbing stoppages.

Here is a full list of AFC Home Warranty’s add-ons:

  • Central vacuum
  • Double oven
  • Electronic coverage
  • Hot water dispenser
  • In-ground pool
  • In-ground pool and spa
  • Roof-leak
  • Septic system
  • Stand-alone freezer
  • Sump pump
  • Well pump

AFC Home Warranty’s monthly fees are comparable to the other providers listed above. Like American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services, AFC Home Warranty offers service call fee options, which helps lower your monthly premium. Compare AFC Home Warranty’s premiums in the table below:

Plan Monthly Cost
Silver $35.25
Gold $49.75
Platinum $54.58

Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Houston, Texas

Company Service Fee Best For Monthly Cost BBB Rating Visit Site
$65–$125 Most Customer-Friendly $50-$60 NR The BBB does not provide a company rating (indicated by "NR" or no rating) if it lacks insufficient information about a business or is conducting an ongoing review of its practices. EXPLORE PLANS
$100–$125 Most Experienced $30-$90 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75 Most Budget-Friendly $45-$48 B- EXPLORE PLANS
$100–$150 Our Pick for Bonus Benefits $39-$55 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75–$125 Our Pick for Add-on Coverage $47-$72 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75–$125 Most Coverage Options $35-$55 B EXPLORE PLANS
Company BBB Rating Service Fee Best For Monthly Cost Visit Site
NR The BBB does not provide a company rating (indicated by "NR" or no rating) if it lacks insufficient information about a business or is conducting an ongoing review of its practices. $65–$125 Most Customer-Friendly $50-$60 EXPLORE PLANS
B $100–$125 Most Experienced $30-$90 EXPLORE PLANS
B- $75 Most Budget-Friendly $45-$48 EXPLORE PLANS
B $100–$150 Our Pick for Bonus Benefits $39-$55 EXPLORE PLANS
B $75–$125 Our Pick for Add-on Coverage $47-$72 EXPLORE PLANS
B $75–$125 Most Coverage Options $35-$55 EXPLORE PLANS
No results were found.

How Much Is a Home Warranty in Houston?

The average home warranty cost in Houston ranges between $29 and $87 per month. However, your actual price will vary depending on your provider, plan and add-ons. Besides the base warranty cost, you will have to pay a service fee between $75 to $125 each time a technician visits your home for a repair.


How To Choose a Houston Home Warranty Company

We recommend researching available coverage options, understanding a company’s service agreement and considering state-specific needs when looking for a home warranty company in Houston.

Research and Compare Coverage Options

Before you choose a provider, research and compare different plans to determine the best option for the appliances and systems present in your home. For example, a comprehensive plan may not be worth the price if you only want to protect your home appliances. Instead, you could save money by choosing a provider that offers an appliance-only plan. It’s also important to read customer reviews to better understand a company’s customer service, claim process, and costs and service fees.

Understanding Your Service Agreement

The service agreement will include important information about your home warranty coverage. You can review a sample contract before purchasing to understand coverage exclusions, repair and replacement policies, and renewal terms. Also, consider the specific limits of a plan to ensure you have enough coverage for your home.

Consider Houston-Specific Needs

It is worth considering state-specific needs when choosing a warranty provider in Houston. For instance, due to the city’s hot climate, you may want a plan that covers cooling systems. You may also want to cover plumbing issues due to soil movement and weather events in Houston, which can wear down your pipes over time. Most companies also offer optional roof leak protection to cover roof repairs due to normal wear and tear, also a side effect of the city’s weather.


Our Conclusion About Houston Home Warranties

Each of the home warranty providers on our list offers unique perks, and different homeowners will gravitate toward different providers based on their needs. While we consider American Home Shield the top provider, Select Home Services offers free roof-leak coverage included in every plan and Cinch Home Services may be the best option for someone who prefers a company that backs its contractors’ work with a long service guarantee.

We recommend reaching out to several companies and gathering price information by getting free, personalized quotes. This will allow you to weigh your options and make the best and most informed decision possible.


Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties in Houston

Service can be requested 30 days after you purchase a home warranty. This prevents homeowners from signing up for home warranties to fix an item that is already broken.

Every company will feature slightly different coverage, but here are some appliances that are commonly covered:

  • Refrigerator
  • Dishwasher
  • Oven
  • Stove
  • Built-in microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer

Purchasing a home warranty is worth it in Texas as it covers the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances. As a result, a home warranty can provide more predictable costs if you experience unexpected home repairs. Most home warranty providers also help connect you to professional service technicians for repairs, saving you time and helping to streamline the process.

However, home warranties may not be the best option for everyone. We recommend requesting and comparing quotes to determine if coverage works for your budget. Also, you may not need a home warranty if your systems and appliances are brand new and already have manufacturer coverage.


How We Ranked the Best Home Warranty Companies in Houston

To rank the best home warranty companies in Houston, we analyzed factors most relevant to homeowners like you. These factors include home warranty costs, coverage and add-ons based on the Houston climate, and customer service availability and response times. To determine trustworthiness and reliability, we assessed company service contracts and read dozens of first-hand customer reviews.

Since Houston’s warm climate can lead to a reliance on cooling systems and refrigerators, companies that offer extensive coverage got boosted in our rankings. We also analyzed available plan types and cost-effectiveness based on coverage benefits. For detailed information about our methodology and evaluation process, refer to our in-depth home warranty methodology and editorial guidelines.


Additional Home Warranty Resources

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Home Warranty Companies

Our team created a comprehensive rating system to rank providers based on objective factors. We researched each company by speaking with company representatives, reading sample contracts, and analyzing and comparing consumer reviews. We deepened our research by gaining homeowner insights through surveys and focus groups. After collecting data, we scored each provider based on what matters most to homeowners: plan options, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, state availability, additional benefits and coverage specifics. Here’s the breakdown of how we scored each home warranty company on our list:

  • Plan options (20%): Companies that offered at least three plan options and various add-on coverage scored the highest in this category.
  • Coverage details (20%): We rated companies both on their total number of home appliances and systems covered in their plans, putting more emphasis on the most essential systems like plumbing and air conditioning units.
  • Plan pricing (18%): Home warranty providers that had a service fee of $75 or less and offered combination plans for less than $50 a month earned the most points in this category.
  • Trustworthiness (14%): We evaluated the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, sample contract availability, workmanship guarantee and years in the industry to determine the trustworthiness of each company.
  • Customer service (16%): Home warranty companies that are available 24/7, 365 days a year, provide emergency services and offer customers at least two claim filing options earned the highest points in the customer service category.
  • Additional benefits (8%): Companies that offer a 30-day free cancellation period earned points in this category, and any additional coverage perks and exclusive benefits a provider offered earned it extra points.
  • State availability (4%): Providers that are available in all 50 states earned full credit for this category.
Our review methodology for home warranty companies is intended to provide a thorough overview of the best providers nationwide. To learn more, you can read our full home warranty methodology.  


If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.

Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a writer specializing in home warranties and related insurance products. He holds a particular interest in research and understanding his readers, and he has facilitated focus groups to gain deeper insight into homeowners’ needs. Jesus has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. In his spare time, Jesus can be found cheering on Arsenal or spending time with his cat, Nevi.

Rebekah Young
Rebekah Young Senior Editor

Rebekah Young is an editor with a decade of experience in educational content and editing. Before joining the Guides Home Team to focus on home services content, she guided content strategy and edited in the insurance, venture capital, financial and health care fields. Rebekah has a bachelor’s degree in communication and English.

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