Does Renters Insurance Cover Appliance Repair in Florida?
Renters insurance rarely pays to fix an appliance. Here is what it does cover, who pays in a Florida rental, and how hurricane and flood rules change the answer.
How Much Do Home Repairs Cost in South Florida? (2026 Price Guide)
What common AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repairs cost in South Florida in 2026, and what each one costs with a Standard Total Home Service Warranty.
Private Equity Is Buying Up Home Service Companies. We Watched Wall Street Try This in the 1990s.
Private equity has bought roughly 800 HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies since 2022. A South Florida contractor that lived through the 1990s public-company roll-up compares the two waves, and what each one cost customers and technicians.
How to Fix a Nest Thermostat That Says No Power
Nest thermostat showing 'No Power' or a black screen? Run these four checks in order: air handler breaker, condensate float switch, low-voltage fuse, and C-wire. The first three are free fixes.
Is My Toilet Running? 5 Causes, & How to Do the DIY Food Dye Test
A running toilet is almost always one of 5 things: a bad flapper, the chain length, water level, a worn flush valve seat, or a failing fill valve. The food-coloring test tells you which one in 15 minutes.
What’s on the Florida Homeowners Insurance 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point inspection is an insurance requirement, not a Florida law and not part of buying a home. Here is what it covers, when carriers ask for one, and what commonly fails.
Most Common Sink Problems: Slow Draining, Leaking, or Smelling
A slow drain, a puddle in the cabinet, and a gurgle after the washer runs are three different problems. Here is the 60 second test that tells you which one you have, plus the fix for all 12 symptoms.
Why Condos Are Choosing PP-RCT Piping for Repiping and New Construction (Especially in Florida)
PP-RCT piping is replacing copper and CPVC in South Florida condo towers. Learn what it is, why buildings specify it, and how Total handles commercial installs.
8 of The Most Common Plumbing Problems in Older South Florida Homes
After 55 years of service calls, here are the plumbing problems Total's technicians see most in older South Florida homes, why they happen here, and what to do about each.
What’s the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer in Florida?
DOE says 78°F saves 6-18% on cooling — but in Florida, the ideal thermostat setup is a narrower window than most homeowners realize. Here's the research-backed schedule that saves money without inviting mold or hard AC recovery cycles.
How Most Home Warranty Companies Choose Contractors (and Why Total Doesn’t Have To)
Most home warranty companies assign your claim to a third-party contractor network. Total does not. Here is how the standard model works and why Total is the contractor.