Quick answer: With America's Preferred Home Warranty, "choose your own contractor" means you can call any licensed contractor to handle a covered repair. You aren't assigned a technician from a network, and you don't wait for a dispatch. Once your claim is opened, the licensed contractor you trust arrives on your schedule, provides an independent diagnosis,helps get a claim determination and gets paid quickly, often the same day the repair is completed.

Here's what “Choose Your Own Contractor” means at APHW, why homeowners tell us it matters, and how the process works from start to finish.

What "Choose Your Own Contractor" Means at APHW

When a covered item in your home fails and you file a claim with APHW, you pick the licensed contractor you want to bring in for the job. That could be:

  • The appliance repair company you've used before and trust
  • The plumber your neighbor recommended after they saved his kitchen
  • A local HVAC specialist you've been meaning to try
  • A brand specialist for your specific equipment
  • Any other qualified, licensed professional in your area

The only requirement is that the contractor be licensed if required or an industry professional in the trade they're performing. No pre-approval of the contractor themselves is required, and no membership in an APHW network is involved.

Why This Matters

For most homeowners, the value of choosing your own contractor comes down to four things.

Scheduling on your terms. You call your contractor directly and book them at your convenience. If a specific tech is booked for two weeks, you can call a different one instead of waiting.

A contractor who works for you. Because you hired the contractor, they're accountable to you first. They give you their honest diagnosis of the problem, their honest recommendation for repair, and they answer your questions the same way they would for any other customer.

Local knowledge. A contractor who's worked in your area for years knows the common issues in your kind of housing stock, your climate, and your equipment brands. That kind of experience saves diagnostic time on the visit.

Continuity for future work. If you have found a great contractor, you have a professional to call for future repairs, whether or not those repairs are covered under the plan.

How the Process Works

The APHW claims process is built around the contractor-of-choice model. Once you file a claim and receive a claim number, the workflow looks like this:

  1. You call your contractor and schedule them to come look at the problem.
  2. The contractor arrives and diagnoses the issue. Before starting any repair work, they call APHW while still on-site.
  3. APHW's representative gets on the phone with you and the contractor together. This call typically takes a few minutes. The representative confirms the failure is covered, verifies the diagnosis, and approves the repair amount.
  4. The contractor completes the approved repair.
  5. APHW arranges payment of the approved covered amount, either directly to the contractor or through reimbursement. Along with your deductible, you're responsible for any costs exceeding the approved amount.

Before any repair work begins, have your contractor call APHW for approval. This helps ensure you understand what's covered and what APHW will pay. Qualifying emergency situations may have different requirements, as outlined in your contract.

What Counts as "Licensed"

A licensed contractor is a professional who holds the required state or local license for the trade they're performing. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians all have their own licensing requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Appliance repair techs often have manufacturer certifications or business licenses, depending on the state.

If you're not sure whether a contractor you'd like to use is licensed for the work in question, ask them directly. Most professionals are happy to share their license number, and many display it on their vehicles or invoices.

What If I Don't Have a Contractor I Regularly Use?

That's a common situation, especially for newer homeowners or people who've recently moved. A few practical ways to find a good contractor:

  • Ask neighbors. People who've lived in the area for years often have go-to professionals.
  • Search local reviews. Google Reviews and neighborhood-specific platforms like Nextdoor are useful for finding well-rated local pros.
  • Check trade association directories. Groups like PHCC (plumbing), NECA (electrical), and ACCA (HVAC) list members who meet professional standards.
  • Ask APHW customer service. While APHW doesn't assign contractors, our team can offer guidance on what to look for and questions to ask.

Getting Contractors Comfortable With APHW

This is another advantage of being able to choose your own contractor. The contractor does not need to work with APHW; they work with YOU, and you are the one who works with APHW. 

  • APHW pays quickly. Contractors can be paid the same day the repair is complete, over the phone with a credit card, or by check within 10 to 15 business days.
  • The approval call is short. Typically around five minutes.
  • The contractor sets the price. APHW doesn't negotiate labor rates or parts costs with the contractor during the approval call.

If you have a favorite contractor, sharing these details can help them understand how easy it is to work with APHW.

What This Looks Like Across the Industry

Some warranty companies use a network model, where the warranty company assigns a contractor from an approved list. APHW uses a contractor-of-choice model where the homeowner picks the professional. If choosing the professional matters to you, look for a plan that offers it.

Ready to Learn More?

If you have questions about how the contractor-of-choice model works with your APHW plan, or you want to know how a specific repair would be handled, we're happy to walk you through it.

Call 800.648.5006, visit aphw.com, or reach out to your APHW Area Sales Manager.

For more on the process, visit our Choose Your Contractor page.