Avoiding Potentially Expensive Home Repairs
Wallet Protection
Short of a crystal ball, there's no way to predict when one of your home's
mechanical systems or major appliances will break down due to normal wear
and tear. Murphy's Law suggests that, if anything can go wrong, it will
– and usually at the worst possible time. What are you going to do when
it's 105 degrees and your central air conditioning system goes kaput?
Sweat the weather or sweat the repair bill.
That's the beauty of a home warranty plan. Instead of getting blindsided
by a hefty bill for covered repairs or replacements, you can budget peace
of mind. To help you weigh the costs of a surprise meltdown versus a manageable
solution, the home warranty experts at American Home Shield
offer some typical diagnosis and repair costs for common
household problems.
Feeling Lucky?
Without a home warranty, here is an idea of what you can expect to pay
for a service technician to diagnose and repair assorted protected heating,
air conditioning, electrical, plumbing and major appliance problems in
your home. American Home Shield surveyed contractors from all over to
get fair price ranges for the most common systems and appliances repaired
in homes across America. The price ranges given are for reference use
and are not indicative of all situations and all areas of the country.
Pricing is subject to extenuating circumstances, such as model type, age,
etc. If prices quoted are more than 50% higher than the top range listed,
you may want to ask the service provider for an explanation of extenuating
circumstances, or you may wish to get a second opinion. Price ranges listed
are before tax.
Air Conditioners
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Outdoor unit does not come on |
$43 - $271 |
| Circuit breaker trips when unit turned on |
$95 - $1100 (if new compressor required) |
| Unit hums but fan does not run |
$68 - $337 |
| Unit fan runs but compressor does not |
$48 - $1100 (if new compressor required) |
| Outdoor unit runs, no fan inside |
$43 - $385 |
| Water leaking inside house |
$77 - $1200 |
| Ice on lines |
$43 - $385 |
| Thermostat not holding set temperature |
$43 - $162 |
| Some rooms in home warmer than others |
$90 - $120 |
| Unit runs constantly |
$48 + $24/lb. for refrigerant |
Cook Tops
5 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| C/T does not come on at all |
$43 - $58 |
| Burner gets too hot on lower setting |
$122 - $162 |
| Burner does not come on |
$68 - $162 |
| Burner works intermittently |
$86 - $114 |
| Burner does not get hot enough |
$122 - $162 |
Dishwashers
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Water does not remain in tank |
$43 - $58 |
| Dishwasher does not operate |
$43 - $132 |
| Motor does not operate |
$68 - $255 |
| Motor runs, but does not fill with water |
$43 - $225 |
| Detergent dispenser does not operate |
$68 - $225 |
| Water in tank at end of drying cycle |
$43 - $225 |
| Door drops to floor when opened |
$86 - $175 |
| Water leaks at lower corners of door |
$43 - $150 |
| Unit continues to run in the off position |
$150 - $225 |
| Dishwasher does not clean dishes |
$43 - $225 |
Dryers
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Dryer will not operate |
$43 - $225 |
| Dryer will not shut off |
$125 - $175 |
| Machine temperature too hot |
$104 - $138 |
| Drum will not turn - motor runs |
$95 - $126 |
| Drive motor runs with door open |
$99 - $132 |
| Drive motor will not run |
$95 - $225 |
| Dryer will not heat |
$95 - $198 |
| Drum light does not light |
$95 - $126 |
| Machine noisy |
$95 - $162 |
| Clothes not drying - heater OK |
$43 - $126 |
Freezers
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Frost builds up on coil |
$104 - $234 |
| Unit not running, light works |
$95 - $700 |
| Excessively noisy |
$43 - $700 |
| Compressor runs, temperature higher than normal |
$43 - $700 |
| Compressor does not run - no light |
$43 - $58 |
| Sweating with normal operation |
$43 - $234 |
| Compressor runs, but short cycles |
$43 - $162 |
| Compressor runs - not freezing |
$500 - $700 + Time & Material |
| Freezer too cold, running continuously |
$43 - $162 |
| Ice builds up inside freezer |
$68 - $174 |
Garbage Disposals
6 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Machine does not come on |
$43 - $210 |
| Machine hums but does not spin |
$43 - $210 |
| Machine does not cut |
$43 - $210 |
| Machine grinds too slowly |
$43 - $210 |
| Machine drains too slowly |
$43 - $58 |
| Machine leaks water |
$43 - $210 |
Heat Pumps
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Outdoor unit does not come on |
$43 - $271 |
| Circuit breaker trips when unit comes on |
$95 - $1100 (if new compressor required) |
| Outside unit hums but fan does not run |
$68 - $337 |
| Outside fan runs but compressor does not |
$48 - $1100 (if new compressor required) |
| Heat pump freezes up with ice |
$43 - $385 |
| Cool air blows from vents during winter |
$48 - $656 |
| Emergency heat does not work |
$43 - $270 |
| Outdoor unit runs constantly |
$48 - $203 |
| Indoor fan does not come on, outdoor unit running |
$50 - $385 |
| Air temperature fluctuates from room to room |
Time & Material |
Humidifiers
3 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Mold & mildew at plenum |
$68 - $90 |
| Unit does not come on |
$43 - $144 |
| Unit leaking water |
$43 - $114 |
Ice Makers
3 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Does not make ice |
$43 - $186 |
| No water entering maker |
$43 - $162 |
| Water leaks inside |
$43 - $162 |
| Water leaks outside freezer |
$68 - $162 |
| Ice maker noisy |
$43 - $162 |
| Makes a few cubes & quits |
$43 - $186 |
Microwaves
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Neither oven nor light work |
$43 - $66 |
| Display does not illuminate, light works |
$125 - $350 |
| Light & fan run continuously |
$68 - $350 |
| Oven runs, but does not cook |
$68 - $275 |
| Oven makes loud noise when cooking |
$95 - $275 |
| Oven cooks unevenly |
$86 - $132 |
| Control board does not stop counting down with door open |
$95 - $350 |
| Turntable does not turn during operation |
$113 - $350 |
| Oven light glows during cooking, but does not when door opened |
$95 - $126 |
| Oven cooks slowly |
$131 - $275 |
Ovens
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Oven does not come on |
$43 - $200 |
| Oven bake light comes on but does not heat |
$68 - $200 |
| Oven cooks at higher temperature than set |
$68 - $222 |
| Time bake does not work |
$68 - $325 |
| Self-clean does not work |
$43 - $325 |
| Door does not shut |
$43 - $186 |
| Oven door gets extremely hot |
$43 - $144 |
| Door will not open |
$43 - $265 |
| Light will not come on or stays on |
$43 - $132 |
| Oven cooks unevenly |
$43 - $90 |
Refrigerators
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Does not run, no light in refrigerator |
$43 - $114 |
| Does not run, light in refrigerator works |
$95 - $700 (to replace compressor) |
| Does not run for period of time after defrost |
$95 - $138 |
| Runs continuously with no cooling |
$500 - $700 + Time & Material (replace compressor) |
| Runs continuously, unit too cold |
$43 - $162 |
| Runs excessively, freezer & refrigerator not cold enough |
$500 - $700 + Time & Material (replace compressor) |
| Runs & cycles, refrigerator normal, freezer not cold enough |
$43 - $110 |
| Refrigerator normal, but sweating |
$43 - $234 |
| Excessively noisy |
$43 - $700 (to replace compressor) |
| Water leaking inside refrigerator |
$77 - $102 |
Vent Hoods
4 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Unit does not come on |
$43 - $180 |
| Unit comes on, but moves no air |
$43 - $114 |
| Unit noisy |
$86 - $180 |
| Light does not come on |
$45 - $126 |
Washing Machines
10 most common problems
| Problem |
Cost |
| Motor does not run |
$43 - $250 |
| Does not agitate or spin - motor runs |
$95 - $144 |
| Water does not enter machine |
$43 - $222 |
| Machine does not agitate |
$158 - $325 |
| Water does not drain from machine |
$43 - $162 |
| Machine spins slowly or does not spin |
$43 - $222 |
| Machine does not spray rinse |
$122 - $222 |
| Excessive vibration or machine walks |
$43 - $175 |
| Machine leaking oil |
$175 - $325 |
| Water splashing on floor |
$43 - $198 |
Learn more about home warranties from American Home Shield.
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