Which should a housing counselor recommend that a client include in a household maintenance plan?

A recommended component of a household maintenance plan is the inclusion of coverages for a home warranty. A home warranty can provide peace of mind and financial protection for homeowners when unexpected repairs arise for major systems and appliances, such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and electrical systems. Including home warranty coverage in a maintenance plan can help homeowners budget for potential repair costs and reduce the stress associated with unexpected failures.

While annual inspections of major appliances, monthly cleaning of gutters, and quarterly checks on landscaping are all valuable maintenance activities, they pertain more to routine maintenance and care rather than a formalized maintenance plan component. These activities ensure that the home remains in good working condition, but they do not provide the financial safeguards that a warranty would offer in case of malfunction. A comprehensive household maintenance plan should provide proactive measures, like preventive maintenance as well as protective measures, which is embodied in the recommendation to include home warranty coverage.