In recent years, homebuyers have become familiar with home warranties. These cover repairs and maintenance to existing utilities in their newly purchased homes. The warranty is a protective measure to sellers, who are safeguarded from being sued for inadequate utilities and a presumable benefit for homeowners.
However, home utility warranties rarely cover replacement of units. Instead, they will cover a portion of parts replacement, repairs and maintenance. If the repairs are costly, homeowners may be required to pay their deductible, which can eventually average out to the price of a new utility.
If you are a New Jersey homeowner with a home utility warranty, be wary. Here are the reasons why your current coverage isn’t enough and how you can facilitate efficient home improvement on your own terms.
Older Homes Require More Repairs
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Homeowners with older homes may find comfort in “worry-free” coverage comforting. These homeowners expect there to be more required work, due to the aging condition of the utilities in the home.
This is a misconception. Yes, older homes may require more maintenance, but they can easily be outfitted with highly efficient utilities without disrupting the integrity of the architecture. Spending money on quick fixes only prolong the inevitable and can be costly in the long term.
Limited Contractor Quality
The companies responsible for your “worry free” coverage are looking to repair your utility in the cheapest, most time-efficient way possible. These companies seek out contractors who will work for less than average pay, which often results in lower quality work. When work is not done correctly, utility problems are more likely to return or become worse.
Not All Utilities May Be Covered
Worry free coverage is designed to give peace of mind for the purchaser, but warranty details can be tricky. Utilities with a long and troubled history of failure and repair are often not covered in the fine print. And unfortunately, realization of this fact can happen after a technician has arrived at your home and needs to be paid for the service call.
If you have a home warranty, review the coverage in detail before making a request for service.
You Do Not Get to Select the Contractor
Warranty companies typically select the technicians that arrive at your home. This means you may not receive the service you are accustomed to. While you may request a more thorough repair job, they may not be able to complete it to your standards.
When you select your own contractor for your home utility work, you can evaluate their qualifications, browse reviews and get a solid quote before hand. You will get the quality you pay for. That kind of quality can last for years, removing the hassle of calling another technician when something else breaks down again.
Certified Utility Services from Princeton Fuel Oil
“Worry-free” warranties are not what they seem to be. While they offer discounted rates for maintenance, there is no guarantee you will receive quality, long lasting work.
With regular maintenance from Princeton Fuel Oil, you receive certified service from highly trained professionals. We are available 24 hours a day for repairs and maintenance. Contact us today to learn about our protected service contracts for your home utilities.