A home warranty costs $350 to $1,560 per year in 2026
A home warranty costs $350 to $1,560 per year in 2026. Forbes Advisor puts the average at about $60 a month, or about $720 a year. Plans differ by company and coverage level. HomeGuide lists standard coverage at $420 to $720 a year and premier coverage at $750 to $1,300. You also pay a service fee each time a technician visits, and This Old House lists $75 to $125 for that fee.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| This Old House | This Old House lists an average of $56 per month, service fees of $75 to $125, American Home Shield at $426 to $1,205 a year and First American Home Warranty at $930 to $1,560 a year. |
| Liberty Home Guard | Liberty Home Guard says the average home warranty costs $350 to $700 per year with service fees of $65 to $200, and about $876 a year in 2026 data. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists standard coverage at $420 to $720 per year, premier coverage at $750 to $1,300 and service visit fees of $75 to $125. |
| Forbes Advisor | Forbes Advisor puts the average at about $60 per month ($39.58 to $105.58 across companies), with service fees of $65 to $150 and add-ons at $5 to $30 or more per month. |
Home warranty prices by company and plan
| Company or plan | Price per year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | $426 to $1,205 | This Old House |
| Choice Home Warranty | $695 to $792 | This Old House |
| Elite Home Warranty | $564 to $720 | This Old House |
| First American Home Warranty | $930 to $1,560 | This Old House |
| AFC Home Warranty | $481 to $904 | This Old House |
| Standard coverage | $420 to $720 | HomeGuide |
| Premier coverage | $750 to $1,300 | HomeGuide |
| Average plan | $350 to $700 | Liberty Home Guard |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Coverage level | Appliance only plans cost less than plans that add systems. HomeGuide lists standard coverage at $420 to $720 a year and premier coverage at $750 to $1,300. |
| Company | Each company sets its own rates. This Old House lists American Home Shield at $426 to $1,205 a year and First American Home Warranty at $930 to $1,560. |
| Service fee | You pay a fee each time a technician visits, on top of the yearly price. Forbes Advisor lists service fees of $65 to $150. |
| Add-ons | Extra items cost more. Forbes Advisor says optional coverage generally runs $5 to $30 or more per month, so a few add-ons can raise the yearly total fast. |
| Quote details | Rates shift with the home and the plan. Liberty Home Guard lists an average of $350 to $700 a year, and about $876 in 2026 data. |
What the price includes
A home warranty pays to repair or replace covered systems and appliances when they break from normal wear. You pay the yearly price plus a service fee for each visit. Plans differ on what they cover, so read the contract. Add-ons like a pool or a second fridge may cost more, and problems from poor upkeep or old damage are often left out. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Home warranties are sold by private companies, not by your lender or the government. Each company sets its own prices, so two firms can quote the same house very differently. Most plans bill a yearly price, which you can pay in one payment or in monthly parts. Then you pay a service fee each time a technician comes out. Forbes Advisor lists those fees at $65 to $150. This Old House shows American Home Shield, Choice, Elite, First American and AFC all with different yearly ranges. Compare the yearly price, the service fee and the coverage together.
When you need this
A home warranty makes the most sense when your appliances or systems are old and one big repair would hurt your budget. It can also help a first time buyer who has little cash left after closing. It is less useful for a new home with items still under the maker's warranty. Compare the yearly price and service fees to what you might pay for repairs.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote list which systems and appliances are covered and which are left out?
- What is the service fee per visit, and is it charged for each repair?
- Are there limits on how much the company pays for each item or each year?
- Can you pick your own repair pro, and how long do repairs usually take?
- Compare the total with the range above: $350 to $1,560 per year for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get quotes from at least three companies for the same coverage level. Rates for one home differ a lot between firms, as the company table at This Old House shows.
- Match the plan level to what is old in your home. Skip add-ons you will not use, which can add $5 to $30 or more a month, says Forbes Advisor.
- Compare the service fee as well as the yearly price. Forbes Advisor lists fees of $65 to $150, and you pay one each time a technician comes out.
- Ask if the seller will pay for a warranty when you buy a home. Many sales include one, and it costs you nothing at closing.
- Read what is left out before you sign. Many contracts exclude old problems and damage from poor upkeep, so a cheap plan may not pay when you need it.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from This Old House, Liberty Home Guard, HomeGuide and Forbes Advisor. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a home warranty cost per month?
Forbes Advisor puts the average at about $60 a month, with a range of $39.58 to $105.58 across companies. This Old House lists an average of $56 a month.
How much is the service fee?
Forbes Advisor lists $65 to $150 per call. HomeGuide lists $75 to $125 per visit. Liberty Home Guard lists $65 to $200.
Is American Home Shield cheaper than other companies?
This Old House lists American Home Shield at $426 to $1,205 a year. It lists Choice Home Warranty at $695 to $792 and First American Home Warranty at $930 to $1,560. The plan level matters most.
What do add-ons cost?
Forbes Advisor says optional coverage generally runs $5 to $30 or more per month. Check the price of each add-on before you buy it.
Is a home warranty the same as home insurance?
No. Liberty Home Guard notes that a warranty charges a flat service fee per visit. It lists home insurance at an average of $2,490 per year in 2026, which is much higher.