Compare Home Warranty Options in Ohio
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What Is 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty?
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) was founded in 1980 in Aurora, Colorado, taking its name directly from the federal HUD standard it was built around: 2 years of coverage on distribution systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and 10 years on structural elements. Over the past four-plus decades, the company has grown into the #1 provider of new home structural warranties in the U.S., covering roughly 1 in 5 new homes across 48 states. It also ranks as the #2 independent provider of home service contracts, making it one of the few companies to lead in both categories.
In December 2024, Frontdoor, Inc. (parent company of American Home Shield) officially completed its all-cash acquisition of 2-10 HBW, valued at approximately $585 million. 2025 was Frontdoor's first full year of ownership, and the company reported record full-year 2025 financial results, with 2-10 cited as the primary driver of double-digit growth across renewal, real estate, and new home builder warranty revenue. After completing the deal, Frontdoor's active U.S. home warranties surpassed 2 million, and 2-10 HBW continues to operate as its own brand covering over 6 million homes with thousands of builder, real estate, and contractor partners nationwide.
Two Core Products: Structural Warranty vs. Home Service Contract
Understanding what 2-10 HBW actually offers requires distinguishing between its two very different products:
The builder structural warranty is an insurance-backed program where builders enroll qualifying new homes. It provides 1 year on workmanship and materials (paint, drywall, trim, flooring, cabinets), 2 years on distribution systems (supply piping, waste piping, ductwork, electrical wiring), and a full 10 years on major structural defects affecting load-bearing components (foundations, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, and roof framing). According to 2-10 HBW, the average cost of a structural claim ranges from $42,000 to $113,000, which is why this portion is insurance-backed. Coverage transfers to the homeowner at closing and remains with the home if it's resold.
The home service contract is the product available to any homeowner (new or existing). It covers the cost of repairing or replacing major systems and appliances that break down from normal wear and tear, including HVAC, water heaters, refrigerators, and dishwashers. This is the product you'd shop for as a homebuyer or existing homeowner looking to budget-protect your home.
Plans, Pricing & Coverage Details in 2026
2-10 HBW currently offers three home service contract tiers plus a variety of add-ons. Pricing varies by location, service fee choice, and add-ons selected, with typical annual costs ranging from roughly $324 to $900 per year in 2026 depending on plan tier and service fee.
Plan Comparison
| Plan | Monthly Cost (2026) | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Simply Kitchen | $27–$41/mo | Kitchen appliances only (refrigerator, range/oven, dishwasher, built-in microwave, cooktop) |
| Complete Home | $47–$61/mo | Kitchen appliances + HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater (19 major systems) |
| Pinnacle Home | $61–$75/mo | 28 major systems and appliances + laundry appliances, Supreme coverage boosts |
- Service call fees are set at $75, $100, or $125 per visit. Choosing the higher $125 fee lowers your monthly premium, while the $75 fee raises it by roughly $6/month.
- An aggregate annual claim limit of $50,000 applies across all plans in a 12-month period.
- Standard system limits are strong: $5,000 each for heating, AC, and ductwork (up to $15,000 total for HVAC), with no separate cap on electrical and plumbing repairs until the $50,000 aggregate is reached. Appliance limits vary: refrigerator $2,000, range/oven/cooktop $1,000, dishwasher $500, built-in microwave $500, washer/dryer $1,000 each.
Add-On Options
| Add-On | Approx. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Washer & Dryer | $6 |
| Garage Door Opener | $3 |
| Septic System / Well Pump | $4–$6 |
| Pool (Fresh or Salt Water) | $15–$30 |
| Roof Leak (Limited to $1,000) | $8 |
| Supreme Coverage (higher caps + extras) | $5–$10 |
For context, 2-10's pricing sits below the industry average. NerdWallet's 2026 analysis pegs the typical home warranty at $73/month, with plans ranging from $28 to $191/month depending on coverage. You can dig deeper into pricing benchmarks in our home warranty cost guide.
Customer Satisfaction, Complaints & BBB Rating
What Customers Are Saying in 2026
Customer feedback for 2-10 HBW remains genuinely split depending on where you look. On the company's own platform, 2-10 earns scores of 4.3–4.5 stars in categories like heating/cooling, plumbing, and electrical, and thousands of customers highlight fast claim resolutions, professional technicians, and cost savings on expensive repairs. Long-term customers frequently renew year after year, citing confidence in HVAC and plumbing coverage.
However, third-party review platforms tell a more nuanced story. NerdWallet notes that positive customer experiences appear less common than in prior years, while ConsumerAffairs summarizes 2-10 as delivering a "standard home warranty experience" where the claims process can be slower or more restrictive than expected. Common complaints in 2025 and 2026 include:
- Repair delays, with reports of HVAC and refrigerator claims left unresolved for 30+ days (one recent ConsumerAffairs review noted an issue unresolved since January 2026)
- Contractor no-shows and cases stuck in dispatch for days without action
- Claim denials citing pre-existing conditions, lack of maintenance, or improper installation
- Long hold times and multiple transfers, with one customer reporting 13+ hours on hold across 12 days of calls
- Separate service call fees ($100 each) required for each appliance claim
- Low reimbursement caps on items like garage door springs and roof leaks ($1,000 max)
BBB Standing (2026 Update)
2-10 HBW has held a strong Better Business Bureau (BBB) letter grade for years, and the company's BBB file has been open since 1983. However, exact letter grades and complaint counts on BBB can shift week-to-week, so we recommend verifying the current rating directly on the BBB website before purchasing. Remember: a strong BBB letter grade reflects how a company responds to complaints, not the volume of complaints itself, and recent third-party reviews still surface consistent dissatisfaction.
How 2-10 Compares to Top Competitors in 2026
If you're deciding between 2-10 HBW and other providers, here's how the key metrics stack up in 2026:
| Company | Monthly Cost (2026) | Service Fee | Standout Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | $27–$75 | $75–$125 | $5K HVAC per system, no electrical/plumbing cap | New construction, HVAC-heavy homes |
| American Home Shield | $30–$93 | $100–$125 | Covers older items, pre-existing conditions | Older homes, unknown conditions |
| Choice Home Warranty | $47–$65 | $100 flat | Simple two-plan lineup | Budget, basic coverage |
| First American Home Warranty | $35–$85 | $75–$125 | No dollar limits on some plans | High appliance value |
| Liberty Home Guard | $50–$70 | $65–$150 | 42+ add-on options | Plan variety, customization |
Where 2-10 HBW wins: It's the only major provider with a dedicated new construction structural warranty program, and it consistently ranks as one of the most affordable home warranty companies for systems-heavy coverage in 2026. Its $5,000-per-system HVAC cap plus uncapped electrical and plumbing (up to the $50,000 aggregate) is highly competitive. If you're comparing to American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty, 2-10's structural product is unique in the market.
Where 2-10 HBW falls short: American Home Shield covers unknown pre-existing conditions, items without maintenance records, and breakdowns from rust, corrosion, or lack of maintenance, a significant advantage for buyers of older homes. First American Home Warranty markets no dollar limits on some higher-tier plans, and Cinch Home Services offers a longer 180-day workmanship guarantee. For a broader head-to-head look, see our full best home warranty companies of 2026 breakdown, or dig into how caps really work in our coverage limits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2-10 Home Warranty worth it for existing homeowners in 2026?
For existing homeowners, 2-10 HBW's home service contract can be a solid choice, particularly if your home systems are aging and you want predictable repair costs. The Complete Home or Pinnacle plans offer broad coverage for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances at competitive monthly rates ($47–$75/mo). That said, 2-10 excludes pre-existing conditions and has a 30-day waiting period after signup, so a thorough contract review and home inspection before enrollment are strongly recommended.
What does the 2-10 structural warranty cover for new construction?
The builder structural warranty follows a 1-2-10 structure: 1 year on workmanship and materials defects, 2 years on distribution systems (HVAC ducts, plumbing pipes, electrical wiring), and 10 years on major structural defects like foundation failures, load-bearing wall collapses, and roof framing. This warranty is insurance-backed, meaning coverage transfers from the builder to an insurer in later years, so homeowners remain protected even if the builder goes out of business. Learn more in our builder warranty vs home warranty guide.
How do I file a claim with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty?
Filing a claim is straightforward: log in to your 2-10 HBW Homeowner Portal online or call the service line at 844-784-5209 to submit a request. You'll pay a service call fee ($75, $100, or $125 depending on your plan choice), and 2-10 will dispatch a contractor from its network to diagnose the issue. If the repair is covered, the contractor completes the work at no additional cost within your plan limits. Note that some customers report needing separate service calls (and fees) for each appliance, so filing multiple issues at once may cost more than expected.
How does 2-10 Home Warranty compare to American Home Shield?
The biggest differences are in eligibility rules and structural protections. American Home Shield's "Shield Assurances" cover unknown pre-existing conditions, items without maintenance records, and breakdowns from rust, corrosion, or lack of maintenance, making it stronger for older homes. 2-10 HBW is the stronger choice for new construction buyers thanks to its structural warranty program and typically has lower monthly premiums for systems coverage. Both are now owned by Frontdoor, Inc. following the 2024 acquisition, but they continue to operate as separate brands.
Did Frontdoor's acquisition change 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty?
Frontdoor completed the $585 million acquisition in December 2024, and 2025 was its first full year under new ownership. Frontdoor reported record 2025 results, with 2-10 driving double-digit growth in renewal and real estate revenue and the addition of an entirely new "New Home Builder Warranty" revenue line. As of 2026, 2-10 continues to operate as its own brand with the same plans, pricing structure, and homeowner portal, and Frontdoor expects home warranty member count to turn positive in 2026 largely on the strength of 2-10's builder channel.
What is the BBB rating for 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty?
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has held a strong Better Business Bureau letter grade for years, though BBB accreditation status and exact complaint counts can shift over time. Prospective customers should verify the current BBB grade and complaint pattern directly on bbb.org before purchasing. Also review independent platforms like ConsumerAffairs, Trustpilot, and NerdWallet, all of which flag ongoing complaints about claim delays and denials despite the strong letter grade.