Home services comparison
Compare home services before you sign a contract
Solar, home warranties and pest plans are all multi-month or multi-year commitments. Here is how each one is priced and what to read before you agree to anything.
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Home services at a glance
| Service | What you get | How it is priced | Read closely | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | Panels that produce electricity for your home, owned by you or a third party. | Paid in cash, financed with a loan, or leased or paid per kWh under a power purchase agreement. | Contract length, transfer rules if you sell, escalator clauses, your utility's net metering rules. | Read the guide |
| Home warranty | A service contract that pays to repair or replace covered home systems and appliances that break from normal wear. | A monthly or yearly fee, plus a service fee each time a technician visits. | Coverage caps per item, excluded causes, pre-existing conditions, waiting period, who chooses the technician. | Read the guide |
| Pest control | Inspection and treatment for pests, as a one-time visit or a recurring plan. | Per visit, or a recurring plan billed monthly, quarterly or yearly. Termite work is often quoted separately. | Which pests are included, free re-treatment between visits, cancellation terms, licensing of the applicator. | Read more |
Solar: four ways to pay
| Option | Who owns the panels | Upfront cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash purchase | You | Highest | You keep all the bill savings and any incentives you qualify for, but tie up the most money. |
| Solar loan | You | Low or none | You own the system, but interest and dealer fees add to the total cost. Compare the APR, not just the payment. |
| Lease | The solar company | Low or none | A fixed monthly payment for the equipment. You do not get ownership incentives, and the lease must be handled if you sell. |
| Power purchase agreement (PPA) | The solar company | Low or none | You pay for the electricity the panels produce, often with a yearly price increase. Check the escalator rate. |
Pest control: what to ask before you sign
What is covered?
General plans often cover common insects. Termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes and wildlife are frequently separate services.
Are re-treatments free?
Many recurring plans include return visits if pests come back between scheduled treatments. Get it in writing.
How do I cancel?
Check the minimum term, any early cancellation fee, and whether the plan renews automatically.
Is the company licensed?
Pesticide applicators are licensed at the state level. Your state agriculture or pesticide agency can confirm a license.
Common questions
Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?
No. Homeowners insurance covers sudden damage from events like fire or storms. A home warranty is a service contract for systems and appliances that wear out. Read our full comparison.
How many solar quotes should I get?
Getting quotes from more than one installer lets you compare equipment, price per watt, warranties and financing terms on the same system size.
Can I cancel a home warranty?
Most contracts allow cancellation, sometimes with a fee or a prorated refund. Cancellation rules are set by the contract and by state law, so read that section before you buy.