A clogged drain or leaky faucet may not seem like a big deal, but if left unchecked, these small problems can turn into costly disasters.
SupplyHouse, a national online supplier of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical supplies, surveyed 1,001 U.S. homeowners to learn more about their plumbing and HVAC repair habits. What did they find? Homeowners are more likely to delay home repairs, especially if they are concerned about cost.
But waiting for these repairs can end up costing you more than twice the cost of the repairs in the first week.
That’s why delays in home repairs, especially HVAC and plumbing repairs, can lead to even bigger headaches for homeowners.
Why homeowners wait for home repairs
According to research from Supply House, it takes homeowners an average of one month to resolve minor plumbing issues.
If you’re among the one-third of Americans who pick up the phone the moment their home system fails, you’re smart. Most people choose to put off or actively ignore the problem until it becomes a bigger problem.
In fact, 40% of those who wait only seek help if they notice a growing problem, and nearly 20% only seek repair if their system stops working completely.
What is the basis? If you don’t think it’s too serious, it’s much easier to put off the repair, especially when 71% of homeowners decide it’s worth trying DIY before calling in a professional.
The “less serious” group was often wrong. While 64% of homeowners thought their HVAC and plumbing issues were fine, more than half of the problems got significantly worse and required major repairs. The success of DIY enthusiasts was not great, as half of these attempts were either useless or made the problem worse.
Effects of income and age
Unsurprisingly, household income and age also played a role.
DIY attempts are more common among younger homeowners, with 76% of both Millennial and Gen Z groups trying DIY before anything else. If your annual household income is between $75,000 and $99,999, homeowners are more likely to fix the problem themselves. When household income rose above $150,000, nearly half of homeowners immediately sought help.
What happens if home repairs are delayed?
If you delay home repairs, your bills will be higher. The longer you wait, the higher the cost of the problem.
According to a study by SupplyHouse, the average repair cost for homeowners who responded to an HVAC or plumbing issue within a week of noticing it was $380. But if repairs were postponed for more than six months, the bill more than doubled to an average of $868. That’s nearly $500 more than you could have paid if you addressed the problem right away.
This cost does not include DIY attempts, increased water bills due to leaky pipes, or other related costs. Therefore, the amount of loss can be even higher.
How homeowners paid for repairs
Not everyone has an emergency fund for unexpected home repairs, and 44% of all homeowners surveyed used credit cards, loans, payment plans, or borrowed from family or friends to pay for home repairs. Nearly half of the repairs were delayed by more than a month.
How a home warranty can help you save money on home repairs
Home repairs don’t have to be stressful or put off due to cost concerns. With a home warranty, you may be able to have a technician come to your home for only a service fee, with little to no out-of-pocket costs. Most home warranties cost between $40 and $60 per month and will cover the cost of repairs if your HVAC or plumbing system breaks down due to normal wear and tear.
- Homeowners are covered up to $2,000 to $3,000 per system, and in some cases more (such as American Home Shield).
- If a home system or appliance covered by the warranty breaks down, you can contact your home warranty company and they will dispatch someone for you.
- If the repair is covered, all you need to pay is the service call fee, which averages $75. This is the price you pay for a technician to come to your home, regardless of whether you have a home warranty or not.
HVAC Home Warranty Coverage
Home warranties cover all major HVAC systems, including:
- Ducted central electrical split and package unit
- Geothermal power generation equipment (by provider)
- evaporative cooler
- wall mounted air conditioner
- ductless mini split
- Window air conditioner (depending on provider)
If a complete replacement is required, your home warranty will often cover all or most of the cost. However, this unit is likely to be similar to the current unit. The only upgrade you can expect is energy efficiency. You can also get new units with higher energy efficiency ratings (SEER, EER, or HSPF) to stay compliant with regional standards (14 SEER in northern climates and 15 SEER in southern states).
Common exclusions include:
- Existing issues (known or undocumented)
- Poorly maintained or neglected
- Cosmetic damage
- Improper installation or violation of terms
- Structural components (varies by provider, such as ducts in walls)
- Upgrade required to meet current building codes (some providers offer this as an add-on)
- Freon/refrigerant limits (some plans have caps or exclusions)
Warranty scope for plumbing homes
Home warranties often cover leaks or breaks in water, gas, drain, and waste lines. Valves and appliances can also be covered, but this varies by provider.
Many providers offer sump pumps, well pumps, and water softeners as add-ons.
Common exclusions include:
- Bathtubs, sinks, bidets, shower enclosures, basepans
- Caulk/grout injection
- septic tank
- Water softener/filtration/purification system
- storage tank
- sauna/steam room
- sprinkler system
- radon system
Keep in mind that even if your home insurance policy covers something, your home warranty will not.
