OT: Termite Contract Renewals

[Fighting Irish.sixpack]

Is it worth paying $180 per year? I pay this every year, and Capitol Pest Control comes out, does a 5 minute inspection, and hands me a bill for $180.

They do not do any treatment on the yard at all.

Is it worth it or not?

 

[johnson86-1]

Is it worth paying $180 per year? I pay this every year, and Capitol Pest Control comes out, does a 5 minute inspection, and hands me a bill for $180.

They do not do any treatment on the yard at all.

Is it worth it or not?

You have traps or a barrier?

 

[kired]

If you've ever had termite damage you had to repair... the easy answer to this question is YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I discovered some damage in two areas of our house last year. I was able to repair it myself with help from my dad, who had worked in construction and remodeled homes for 30 years. It still probably cost me as much as I'd have paid to have that contract since I moved into the house. Tearing out walls, replacing studs, new sheetrock, repainting, replacing trim, cleaning all the mess you've made, etc. No telling what it would have cost if I'd have paid someone to do all that work.

 

[patdog]

You're essentially paying an insurance premium. I had a termite preventative treatment done years ago (no signs of any problems just wanted the treatment), but I dropped the contract after the 1st year. It's been 15 years and no problems.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

You can spray yourself for termites, or install bait systems. It isn't hard. And even if you do get them, they aren't THAT big of a deal. You just spray the crap out of them, and replace the wood if it's been years and gotten that bad.

Unfortunately, the public THINKS they are a big deal, and having that termite bond eases their minds, so it's nearly a necessity if you live in a house you plan to sell at some point.

 

[civildawg88]

Even if you get termite damage with your treatment. The company will take you to court most likely to not pay for damages anyway

 

[patdog]

That's kind of why I dropped the contract immediately. I looked at the exclusions and limitations and figured that if they'd done the job right, I should never have a problem; but if I ever did have a problem, I probably wasn't going to collect much.

 

[Sutterkane]

Just make sure there are plenty of ants in the area. Ants LOVE eating termites.

 

[Sutterkane]

 

[goindhoo]

Most of those contracts say their liability is limited to “treating” the house again to kill the termites and company is not responsible for damages caused by the termites.

 

[Go Budaw]

Most of those contracts say their liability is limited to “treating” the house again to kill the termites and company is not responsible for damages caused by the termites.

The bigger national companies like Terminix do cover repair damage costs, but the annual bond renewal is way higher than mentioned by the OP. Mine is $285 per year (and goes up $5-$10 every year it seems) and some like Cook’s approach the $400 range. The same economic policy as anything else applies....you get what you pay for. My house backs up to the woods and my neighbor also had termite damage even after getting his property treated, so I’m kinda cautious about the whole termite deal.

 

[Raiderdawg.sixpack]

I can’t find a place under $300 in Atlanta.

Like others said, it’s basically insurance and not having a bond can freak some people out when you try to sell.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

The bigger national companies like Terminix do cover repair damage costs, but the annual bond renewal is way higher than mentioned by the OP. Mine is $285 per year (and goes up $5-$10 every year it seems) and some like Cook’s approach the $400 range. The same economic policy as anything else applies....you get what you pay for. my house backs up to the woods and My neighbor also had termite damage even after getting his property treated, so I’m kinda cautious about the whole termite deal.

Yep, mine is $335 and damages are covered.

 

[dorndawg]

This. The last company I had wasn't even coming inside - almost positive they just mailed a bill once a year.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Even if you get termite damage with your treatment. The company will take you to court most likely to not pay for damages anyway

^^This. Pay one time for a treatment then bait or spray yourself. Take care of your place(caulk, paint, fix leaks, keep moisture out).

My experience with this has been they will pay for the actual damage to the wood structure but that's it. Horse **** investment.

 

[RocketDawg]

I have Terminix and I think my annual fee is even more than that. Seems like it's near $400. I suspect it has something to do with the history of termite damage in an area, possibly down to the neighborhood level.

 

[RocketDawg]

I think having a termite bond is necessary to sell a house here.

 

[RocketDawg]

I had damage one time, and they paid but it took about 6 months. No court necessary. I don't think my rate went up, but it was already exorbitant. Company was/is Terminix. I believe termite companies are pretty much like cable companies.

The guy who does my monthly bug treatment is pretty good and conscientious, but he's a local, one man business.

 

[The Peeper]

I had Terminix when I lived in Brandon. They had to rebuild a bay window in my house twice because their treatment didnt work the first or second time I found the termites. When I sold it I had recently found some more active damage. They came out though and gave it a clean bill of health so the sale went through. Worst company I've ever had to work with by far, it was the one in Flowood by the way

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Sold a house last year with no termite bond. Lending institutions are going to want an infestation report regardless of a bond. So if you are the seller and most likely will be paying for that at closing anyway, the bond is a waste of money IMO.

 

[Ziggy.sixpack]

Like said above, it sounds like insurance to me. I think $200 per year is not a big deal if you have lots of wood (house, barns etc). But the way you described it... sounds like a scam or something. So the answer here is either deal with termites by yourself with traps and tips from sites like pestcontrolhacks or really get in touch with guys like Terminix. Your call.