Few things are more disruptive and frustrating than unexpected home repairs. And when they occur, they can be budget-busters.

From water heaters to air conditioners to dishwashers, homeowners spend hundreds of dollars annually to maintain and repair their home's systems and appliances. When major systems fail, expenses are even greater, averaging more than $1,000 in repairs, according to experts.

The good news is, there's a practical and affordable solution to the surprise costs and hassles when home systems and appliances break: a home warranty. Home warranties cover these major breakdowns, and often for less than $500 per year.

More and more homeowners are discovering home warranties. According to recent findings, nearly 72 percent of real estate professionals nationally recommend home warranties to their clients and 90 percent of California real estate transactions close with one.

But cost isn't the only factor driving their popularity; questionable contractors are playing a role, too. When heating systems go haywire or the refrigerator loses its cool, most homeowners prefer to have someone else do the work. Trouble is, finding qualified technicians quickly is no easy task, compounding many homeowners' frustrations.

Poor quality of work, disreputable contractors and work not complying with local codes are growing concerns among homeowners searching for contractors.

Fortunately, home warranties can ensure help from a qualified technician in a timely manner. In fact, American Home Shield works with a network of 11,000 authorized contractors who promise to visit homeowners within two business days.

To ensure that homeowners receive the best possible service, American Home Shield continually evaluates its contractors on quality, cost and professionalism by surveying homeowners. Contractors with the highest survey rankings receive more work, while those with poor performances are removed from its network.

In the past year, American Home Shield covered more than 1.2 million homes' systems and appliances with its warranties and performed more than 2.3 million service calls nationwide.