Termite and Wood Boring Insects - Need termite treatment info please
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Lend27
03-31-09, 04:14 PM
My house is 3 yrs old. The soil was treated for termites prior to the foundation being constructed.
Being somewhat ignorant about termites I called the company who originally treated the soil to ask them if i should have another termite treatment. They said I should. They said that the soil is disturbed so much during the construction process that the termite treatment becomes much less effective.
I agreed to let them do it. They dug a trench all around my foundation and treated the soil down deep. Actually they made quite a mess. But of course over time the grass grew back.
This treatment was done last spring.
They called me recently and told me it was time for my annual termite inspection. I told them they did it last year. They said, "No, we treated the soil last year. Now we need to check every year to make sure you dont have termites."
I asked if it was a free inspection to make sure what they did last year was effective. They said," No, the cost is $125.00"
I said that sounded crazy to me. I have to pay you to make sure you did your job right last year?
They said thats the only way they would honor my warranty.
I said no way. I am not paying you $125 every year in order to make sure you did your job properly when you treated my property.
I asked them what they do during the inspection. They said they just walk around the house, and they inspect inside my garage looking for signs of termites.
I asked them how long the treatment should last if done properly. They said 10-15 years. They have never detected a termite problem after doing the treatment that I paid for.
My question is........ should I be paying $125 for the inspection every year?
Thanks for the info
Len in NC
Being somewhat ignorant about termites I called the company who originally treated the soil to ask them if i should have another termite treatment. They said I should. They said that the soil is disturbed so much during the construction process that the termite treatment becomes much less effective.
I agreed to let them do it. They dug a trench all around my foundation and treated the soil down deep. Actually they made quite a mess. But of course over time the grass grew back.
This treatment was done last spring.
They called me recently and told me it was time for my annual termite inspection. I told them they did it last year. They said, "No, we treated the soil last year. Now we need to check every year to make sure you dont have termites."
I asked if it was a free inspection to make sure what they did last year was effective. They said," No, the cost is $125.00"
I said that sounded crazy to me. I have to pay you to make sure you did your job right last year?
They said thats the only way they would honor my warranty.
I said no way. I am not paying you $125 every year in order to make sure you did your job properly when you treated my property.
I asked them what they do during the inspection. They said they just walk around the house, and they inspect inside my garage looking for signs of termites.
I asked them how long the treatment should last if done properly. They said 10-15 years. They have never detected a termite problem after doing the treatment that I paid for.
My question is........ should I be paying $125 for the inspection every year?
Thanks for the info
Len in NC
Gunguy45
03-31-09, 04:50 PM
You are paying them for an inspection visit, and the premium on the insurance that they carry in case any damage is detected due to re-infestation. You are not paying to ensure they did the treatment correctly, but this is not like a car repair or an oil change. Changes to the exterior (even planting a shrub or putting in a flowerbed) can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
I'm surprised you didn't get a letter or call from them one year after the initial treatment to continue the coverage.
If you are on a crawlspace, they should also go in there, and most times they should come in the house, though I don't know what they expect to find except maybe dead termites or wings on the windowsills.
You may want to call your homeowners insurance, but I don't THINK that would cover any termite damage. Also, most places, if you allow the coverage to lapse, they will require re-treatment before guaranteeing the work against damage.
Welcome to homeownership.
btw..no termite Pro..but I was in a similar situation when my Ex let the policy/contract lapse. I spent hours and hours on research and spoke with 2 Etymologists and several companies about it.
I'm surprised you didn't get a letter or call from them one year after the initial treatment to continue the coverage.
If you are on a crawlspace, they should also go in there, and most times they should come in the house, though I don't know what they expect to find except maybe dead termites or wings on the windowsills.
You may want to call your homeowners insurance, but I don't THINK that would cover any termite damage. Also, most places, if you allow the coverage to lapse, they will require re-treatment before guaranteeing the work against damage.
Welcome to homeownership.
btw..no termite Pro..but I was in a similar situation when my Ex let the policy/contract lapse. I spent hours and hours on research and spoke with 2 Etymologists and several companies about it.