Is That Going To Last?
The seller doesn't include a home warranty with the purchase. Should you buy your own home warranty plan?
Although a home warranty plan protects a seller from unforeseen breakdowns of home appliances and major mechanicals during the listing period (and has the added benefit of not costing a dime unless the property sells), sometimes a seller doesn't include a home warranty in the sale of a home. If you're trying to decide whether to purchase your own one-year home warranty plan, the following information from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) may help you decide. These numbers represent the maximum number of years you can reasonably expect various components of your home to last, as determined by a comprehensive survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers. Please note that life expectancy may vary greatly depending on quality of material, installation, maintenance, environmental factors and use.
| Aluminum Siding | 20 to 50 |
| Asphalt Shingle Roof | 15 to 30 |
| Boilers | 30 |
| Brick Wall | 100+ |
| Carpet | 11 |
| Cast-Iron Bathtub | 50 |
| Central Air Conditioner | 15 |
| Ceramic Tile Countertop | 10 to 15 |
| Concrete Block Foundation | 100 |
| Concrete Walk | 24 |
| Dishwasher | 10 |
| Dryer | 14 |
| Drywall | 30 to 70 |
| Electric Range | 17 |
| Electric Water Heater | 14 |
| Exterior Door with Protected Overhang | 80 to 100 |
| Exterior Paint | 7 to 10 |
| Fiberglass Bathtub | 10 to 15 |
| Galvanized Ducts | 30 |
| Garage Door Opener | 10 |
| Gas or Oil-Fired Furnace | 18 |
| Gas Range | 19 |
| Gas Water Heater | 11 to 13 |
| Gravel Walk | 4 |
| Gutters | 30 |
| Heat Pump | 15 |
| Laminated Countertop | 10 to 15 |
| Microwave | 11 |
| Plastic Ducts | 15 |
| Poured Concrete Foundation | 200 |
| Pumps, Sump and Well | 10 |
| Refrigerator | 17 |
| Slate Roof | 50-100 |
| Stone Wall | 100+ |
| Swimming Pool | 18 |
| Tile Roofing | 50 |
| Vinyl Siding | 50 |
| Wall & Trim Paint | 5 to 10 |
| Washer | 13 |
| Waterproofing Sealer | 1 to 5 |
| Waterproofing Silicone | 1 to 5 |
| Waterproofing Waxes | 1 to 5 |
| Wood Deck | 15 |
| Wood Shingle and Shake Roof | 15 to 30 |
| Wood Siding | 10 to 100 (depending on moisture) |
If you would like more information about the home warranty plans sold in your area, please call (563) BUY-SOLD (563-289-7653) or contact Lake & City Homes and we'll be happy to assist you.