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Home Warranty Woes Part 1 of 2

By
Property Manager with HomePointe Property Management, CRMC 00691121

I have blogged before about home warranty companies and how property managers don't like them.

Well, I purchased the house I live in this past March and it came with a home warranty.  On Saturday, our plumbing backed up in the downstairs shower from the laundry drain.  I almost forgot I had the warranty, but did remember before I called one of my plumbers.  I thought it would be a good test for the warranty companies that I had criticised.

So Saturday at 3 pm I called and a half hour later I had a work order and a promise I would hear from the plumber.  I even got the plumbers number, which was nice.  After an hour I called the plumber and the recording stated that they would return calls, but not on Sundays.  Since Saturday was fast ending, I figured it would be Monday before hearing again.

Well, I did get a call Sunday!  It was to tell me that they would be out on Monday at 10 am.  Oh well.

On Monday they called at 10 am and said they would come to the house at 1 pm.  At 1 pm they said they would come at 3 pm.  They arrived at 3 pm. 

The house I bought does not have a clean out that I am aware of.  The plumber stated that without a cleanout, the warranty was voided and they could only provide a cleanout for $600.00.  They would not clear the line. 

So I guess the warranty I have, that cost around $300.00, is not worth much.  I know my tenants would be screaming by now.  I will update this blog with the what my plumber finds out tomorrow morning.  I have a 8 am appointment.

Here is Part 2 of 2:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/615401/Home-Warranty-Woes-Part

Posted by

Robert A. Machado, CPM, MPM

HomePointe Property Management

Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer Counties

We manage residential and commercial property.

916-429-1205 x 105

rmachado@HomePointe.com

Comments (6)

Mark Organek
And the United States of America - Mesa, AZ
It's not a game, it's your life.

Robert, I'm sorry that you're experiencing this.  I'm going to check with home warranty company materials so I can be even more up to date.  Too many times, the client is banking on my recommendation and maybe the trust level is so high that the client doesn't ask questions.

Jul 28, 2008 06:07 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

There are a lot of exclusions in those warranties.  The warranty company has to make money!

Jul 28, 2008 06:08 PM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Your experience doesn't sound good.  I hope it gets better... Please keep us posted!  :)

Jul 29, 2008 01:24 AM
Lorraine or Loretta Kratz
Crescent Moon Realty, Inc. & Land N Sea Auctions. - San Marcos, CA
Certified Negotiation Consultants

Robert:

I have a laundry tub in my garage, and the u joint underneath is leaking, I called the home warranty company that I have and much to my chagrin, I had to pay for the visit which was $65.00 to be told that they would not repair a pre-existing condition. By, the time the plumber left, I was told that I would need a whole new sink and the connecting line would have to be repair or replace, to the tune of $650.00, well I am now calling in my old pluming company that does not charge for an estimate to see what the devil is going on. I feel your pain.

Jul 29, 2008 12:08 PM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

They do have strange ways of looking at things but a clogged drain is kind like a burned out light bulb.

Jul 29, 2008 01:59 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

Gene,  Yes it is except that you need a plumbers tool to get down there if it is a shower. 

Jul 29, 2008 05:26 PM