The Most Underrated Services Costco Offers for First-Time Home Buyers

We're in the heart of the home-buying season, and just like every year, there are lots of first-timers who are getting their first taste of buying and owning their own homes. It sounds so simple, but it can be really overwhelming to walk through the doors of your first home and discover that the things you thought you knew didn't even begin to scratch the surface of what you need to stay ahead of your home's many needs.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, only 11.9% of currently existing homes have been built since 2010, and a whopping 74.2% were built prior to 2000, so the odds are extremely good that you'll be moving into a home that has some miles on it, even if it's your first. Don't worry, though -- Costco has you covered.

Costco's home improvement services don't cover everything, but they sure move the ball down the field when it comes to finding contractors that can sometimes be very elusive (or really overbooked). Here are some that are seriously underrated:

1. Cabinet refacing

You probably have a lot of ideas about how you'd like to update or change your home, but for so many people, the kitchen is one of the first targets of change – and one of the most expensive. Dated cabinets can really drag a space down, but a lot of home buyers don't realize that instead of ripping out whole cabinets, they can simply reface them. This saves you time, effort, mess, and most importantly -- money.

Well, lucky for you, Costco has a partnership with Reborn Cabinets for its members. Members can call for a free consultation, and once the work is complete, will get a 10% Costco Shop Card on qualifying purchases. That's a lot of grocery money for paying for a service you would've paid for anyway.

Reborn offers a ton of options, including a variety of wood and non-wood finishes, lots of different door styles, crown molding upgrades, and additional exclusive hardware and design options for Costco members only.

2. Solar panel installation

Solar power is becoming a really popular add-on in many areas, but there are so many solar companies, and it's often hard to know which ones are legitimate and which ones are going to disappear after your panels are installed. Having a reliable, reputable partner is vital when installing solar panels, because sometimes you really do have to use your warranties and you need a company that will be around to honor them.

Costco has teamed up with Sunrun to ensure members always have a solid go-to for solar power systems, from panels to batteries, and all the labor required to install them properly. Members receive a 10% Costco Shop Card on equipment purchases (sorry, you won't get anything back on labor and installation), as well as a 15-year roof penetration warranty with every system, even if you don't choose to upgrade.

It's difficult to over-stress how important having a solar installer you can count on really is, so the fact that Costco has a corporate partner to help you cut through the chatter is priceless. Save money while saving the Earth is a pretty good deal.

3. Home standby generator installation

There's absolutely nothing sexy about buying a home standby generator, but there's even less sexy about being in the dark with no way to power your home for days or even weeks after a powerful storm comes through. This is another one of those systems where it matters who installs it as much as what is installed.

Generac generators are the gold standard for home standby generators, and luckily, Costco has a partnership with licensed installers who know the systems inside and out and how to best ensure that yours runs smoothly when you really need it to. Members receive a 10% Costco Shop Card for purchases made through the Custom Installed program, as well as the peace of mind that the next time the power goes out, they won't be in the dark.

Costco's home improvement services are underrated offerings

Frankly, all of Costco's home improvement services are underrated -- after all, being able to get what you need installed at prices that are consistent with Costco's philosophy of saving money makes life so much easier for a first-time home buyer. There's no getting multiple quotes (though it's never a bad idea to do so) and there's no checking in on contractors to be sure they're really going to show up this time.

When you use Costco for home services, there's only budgeting for your next home upgrade, calling Costco, and setting up a service appointment for a time that works for you. Like everything else at Costco, it's simple, effective, and stress free.