![Headshot of Carter Gaddis](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/07200108/Carter-Gaddis.jpeg)
Carter Gaddis
Senior WriterCarter Gaddis is a senior writer at USA TODAY Homefront. He is an experienced journalist who has written about roofing, sunrooms, title insurance and other home service topics. Carter has contributed to the TODAY SHOW parenting section, CBS SPORTS and ESPN, among other publications. He lives with his family in Central Florida, where he spends most weekends at theme parks or watching English soccer on TV.
Recent Stories
![Close-up hand in gloves cleaning dried leaves from gutter in America](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/09163016/AdobeStock_280812761-600x401.jpeg)
Based on our hands-on testing of the LeafFilter micro-mesh system and extensive research of LeafGuard — including customer review analysis, discussion with representatives and reading its warranty — we chose LeafFilter ahead of LeafGuard as the best gutter guard for most homeowners. Meet the expert Mike Miller is an editor and gutter guard tester for…
![Katy Texas aerial view](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24200051/AdobeStock_460377456-600x337.jpeg)
Katy, Texas, features a deregulated energy market. This means citizens of Katy can choose their electric companies. If you live in Katy, it’s up to you to learn as much as possible about the city’s deregulated energy market — and the electric companies that sell power to consumers. Here is an overview of the electricity…
![Houston Texas Skyline](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/16152622/AdobeStock_114228766-600x401.jpeg)
Gexa Energy is a retail electricity provider (REP) that serves every deregulated energy market in Texas. Since its inception in 2002, Gexa has focused on providing renewable energy options for its customers. Its commitment to renewable energy sources, variety of plan choices and competitive pricing give Gexa Energy a place among the leading REPs in…
![Fort Worth Texas skyline aerial](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/12031133/AdobeStock_301608382-600x337.jpeg)
Thanks to the deregulated electricity market in Texas, Fort Worth residents can choose their electric company. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to shop for the best electricity rates and plans. Even longtime Fort Worth residents familiar with deregulated energy owe it to themselves to find a plan that keeps their monthly energy bill…
![Arlington, Texas aerial view with football and baseball stadium in view](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/07222059/AdobeStock_290622143-600x337.jpeg)
Arlington residents have choices regarding electric companies, thanks to the 2002 switch to deregulated energy in many Texas markets. While the decision-making process might seem complex initially, you have plenty of tools to help you choose the right Arlington electricity plan. Cost is the biggest differentiator among retail electric providers (REPs), but other factors —…
![Aerial sunset panorama of luxury real estate development single family house neighborhood curving street with dramatic sky in Maryland USA](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24180004/AdobeStock_322688193-600x399.jpeg)
A home warranty might be worth it if your appliances are no longer covered by manufacturer’s warranties and you would rather not save money in an emergency fund. Even so, home warranties aren’t a fit for every homeowner. But they can be worth it under the right circumstances. A home warranty might be an option…
![Power line pole with a transformer on it. Typical wooden post from USA](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24163541/AdobeStock_286188229-600x338.jpeg)
In a deregulated energy market, you can choose your retail electricity provider and have more power over the price you pay and even the makeup of electricity sources — renewable or non — that power your home. In a traditional energy market, consumers must use the utility company assigned to them based on their address.…
![American house exterior with curb appeal](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24044818/AdobeStock_75067948-600x400.jpeg)
A new roof costs an average of $21,440, with a range of $5,435 to $37,266, according to the RSMeans construction pricing database. Many factors influence roofing costs, including the size of the roof surface and the materials used. As you research the cost of a new roof, you should know that jumping at the lowest…
![Photo of Colorful Row Homes in Baltimore, Maryland USA](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20014929/AdobeStock_449417893-600x398.jpeg)
We recommend Liberty Home Guard (LHG) as the best home warranty company for Maryland residents because it offers comprehensive coverage for AC and heating systems, as well as the most optional add-ons in the industry — 42. Our second pick is 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, which offers one of the lowest-priced appliance coverage plans in…
![Residential Aerial View of neighborhood in Baton Rouge, LA](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10171140/AdobeStock_260646281-600x450.jpeg)
We recommend Liberty Home Guard in Louisiana for the depth of its HVAC coverage and its reputation for efficient, friendly service. If your air conditioner has a few years on it, a home warranty might provide the financial peace of mind you need in case of an untimely breakdown. We also reviewed other top home…
![a white home kitchen](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10153624/AdobeStock_604639935-600x400.jpeg)
Home warranty coverage protects homeowners against surprise expenses when household appliances or home systems break down unexpectedly. It also can replace an expired manufacturer’s warranty. By paying a monthly or annual premium — the national averages are $59 and $703, respectively — you can ensure protection for kitchen and laundry appliances, as well as electrical,…
![Electric Transmission lines on a green hill with a blue sky background](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/03145909/AdobeStock_2130346-600x399.jpeg)
Many municipalities in Texas switched to deregulated energy in 2002, giving residents of those areas a choice among electric companies. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages about 90% of the power load for those deregulated regions, accounting for about 26 million Texans. But each Texan can choose their own electric company — also…
![Aerial view of the electrical substation and Dallas downtown cityscape](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29221132/AdobeStock_513045822-600x450.jpeg)
The deregulated electricity market in Texas means Dallas residents have choices when it comes to electric companies. You might begin your search by comparing electricity rates, but it’s not only about that monthly bill. You should dig deeper than the cheapest electricity rates to find the best electric company in Dallas. Here are tips and…
![Parallel rows of transmission towers (power tower, electricity pylon, steel lattice tower) cloud blue sky in Houston, Texas, US.](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29214840/AdobeStock_171099975-600x401.jpeg)
The variety of Houston electricity plans reflects the spirit of competition that inspired the move to deregulated energy in Texas. But how are Houston residents to know what energy plan is right for them? Most consumers’ main goal is to find the best electricity rates. After all, a lower electric bill was the advantage Texans…
![contractor installs a sewer line in a ditch](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29203059/AdobeStock_339883774-600x400.jpeg)
A sewer line warranty offers some financial protection for cracked or broken pipes, clogged sewer lines or any other plumbing malfunction. American Home Shield is our top choice for sewer line coverage, primarily because its lowest-priced plan includes robust plumbing coverage. Plumbing issues is a problem you’ll likely run into at some point during homeownership.…
![Asphalt tile roof on new home](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28144236/AdobeStock_268597622-600x400.jpeg)
You might need a new roof once or twice during your home’s life. It’s a rare and major purchase, often complicated by unfamiliarity with roofing terminology, roofing materials, financing options and the roofing industry. We research, review and rate roofing companies to help you make informed decisions about buying a new roof or hiring a…
![Aerial view of the Farmington on the Green subdivision in Purcellville, VA](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20165547/AdobeStock_460556730-600x400.jpeg)
We recommend Liberty Home Guard (LHG) as the best home warranty company for Virginia homeowners because of its extensive HVAC coverage and long list of optional add-ons. If you are more concerned with home warranty plans focusing on appliances than on coverage for home systems, we recommend First American Home Warranty for affordability, reliability and…
![](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/25195546/AdobeStock_59313894-600x401.jpeg)
Metal roofing costs an average of $17,522 for a 2,000-square-foot roof, with a range of $10,987 to $25,711, according to the RSMeans construction cost database. While asphalt shingles cost considerably less, the cost of a metal roof compares favorably to that of other popular materials, such as cedar, clay tiles and slate, as shown in…
![upscale home kitchen interior](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/14021038/AdobeStock_104435559-600x408.jpeg)
Liberty Home Guard is our top option for comprehensive coverage in case one or more of your appliances fail unexpectedly. It offers comprehensive coverage, reasonable prices and friendly customer service. Purchasing home appliance insurance — more accurately referred to as a home appliance warranty — helps you pay for repairing or replacing kitchen and laundry…
![Miami, Florida skyline and bay at sunset](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13172357/AdobeStock_112024511-600x400.jpeg)
Liberty Home Guard’s comprehensive AC coverage makes it our choice for the best home warranty provider serving Florida. This company also offers 42 add-on options, including limited roof-leak repair — a virtual must for coastal homes in the Sunshine State. We also like American Home Shield and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty for the scope of…