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We recently purchased a home and learned that the previous owners treated the crawl space and deck for termites in 2004. They kept an annual warranty with the termite company, which we have been offered to continue. Since the treatment took place, there has been no evidence of termite problems. How long is it advisable to keep these annual warranties? Thanks.
2) What part of the country are you located in/state?
3) WHY did they treat for termites in 2004? Was there an infestation?
Even without knowing the answers to the above, my inclination would be to keep up the bond. For one thing, starting a new bond is expensive. If the previous homeowner went to that expense, that's an advantage for you. Secondly, it is a selling point later for you if you can sell the house with a termite bond. In my part of the country (Florida), most houses come with a bond (unless it's a very old house).
In a lot of ways I think these contracts/warranties are a rip off, but for $200 or so a year, it's good peace of mind if you have a new house (new homes are more susceptible to termites).
In a lot of ways I think these contracts/warranties are a rip off, but for $200 or so a year, it's good peace of mind if you have a new house (new homes are more susceptible to termites).[quote]
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Good post. I saw no sign of termites but my husband of course listened to some idiot - All State Pest-- a horrible rip off- for the year warranty we were charged 960.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You really need that yearly inspection. If you don't have it, by the time termite damage is seen, you could be looking at serious damage and expense. Those little boogers can eat fast!!
Our bond states that if any infestation is seen, retreatment is done without any cost. That would save a bundle.
2) What part of the country are you located in/state?
3) WHY did they treat for termites in 2004? Was there an infestation?
Thank you all...To answer Riveree's questions, the home is 20 years old. We live in VA. The company treated the deck and crawlspace for evidence of termites. The previous owners kept the warranty after the first year even though the quarterly tests have shown no further evidence of termites.
Since you live in Virginia, a very humid state ( termites love moisture! ), especially if you live near the coast, I would definitely keep the warranty. We had ours with Gregory Termite in Virginia Beach for 15 years and they did a good job for us. The owner of the company ( Ken ) is also a building inspector and he knows his stuff.
If you decide to keep the warranty be sure you read it throughly.
In FL there are 2 kinds of termites, not sure if that is the case in VA but if it is will the warranty cover both kinds? One requires tenting, the others one in ground treatment.
If you have warranty dry wood and then get subterrain termites it might not cover them. I had this problem in FL when the house we bought was treated for one and then before the year was out we had the other kind. Of course that was not covered.
Not sure if this is still true but the warranty was only good for 7 years back then, the reason is it takes 7 years before the termites return after being treated.
Make sure you aren't paying more for the yearly bond than what it would cost you to have the house treated if they return.
Check with the county agriculture to verify what kind of termites are in your area.
Thank you all...To answer Riveree's questions, the home is 20 years old. We live in VA. The company treated the deck and crawlspace for evidence of termites. The previous owners kept the warranty after the first year even though the quarterly tests have shown no further evidence of termites.
I'd say definitely keep the bond then. You don't have to keep it with THAT company, you can shop around (many will pick up the bond and not charge you the big fee SunnyHelena pointed out above).
If you had termites once, you could easily get them again. Decks are obviously exposed wood right there in the ground, so it's not a shocker that termites showed up at the deck, but I'd still want the bond.
When you have the bond, it's basically insurance. If the termites do damage, the bond covers you for for the repair work (the bond might be for $100k or some such amount). Of course it's a contract, so it's only as good as it's written (you want a reputable company).
If you let the bond expire, then you're starting all over. You'll choose a company and they'll do your inspection and charge you a big fee (again, like the $960 SunnyH pointed out above). After the initial fee, you'll pay the yearly fee for the yearly inspections/treatments ($200 or so per year).
Like many insects, termites leave a trail/a scent behind for other termites to follow ("here's food!"). So one infestation is no guarantee of future infestations, but why not do the best you can to prevent it, right?
I am a certified pest control operator in FL and have my own pest control company. I started my business 6 years ago with consumer protection in mind. Bonds are normally worthless. You need to read all the fine print and you will normally see some very specific requirements and limitations. I have spoken with the 5 top U.S.university entomology departments trying to determine how "old" and "new" termite damage can be distinguished. In every case, IT CANNOT. Read your bond and you will see a clause for damage after a treatment (new damage). Thus through the limitations and requirements, most bonds are ineffective. A treatment for Subterranean termites on an average home will cost in the $800-$1200 range. This is for a full treatment. Your bond is probably for a spot treatment (again in the fine print), which when performed will normally cost the pest control company less than $100 and most times less that $50 including labor. Now, if you are paying $200 per year is it worth it?
Last edited by Certified Pest Control Op; 11-24-2007 at 11:06 PM..
Reason: Improper sentence
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Termite Bonds
