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Consumer Alert: Local Pest Control Company DOES NOT Warranty Their Work

By
Real Estate Agent with 101 Main St. Realty 518539

Consumer Alert: Local Pest Control Company DOES NOT Warranty Their Work.



During the inspection process, it was determined that the home being purchased in Huntsville, Texas had termites. Of course, we asked for termite treatment.



I received a report back showing that the termite treatment had been completed by a licensed Huntsville, Texas Pest Control Company AND and it also stated:



“No warranty guaranteed or implied on the above treatment.”



REALLY? I was certain there was an error. I called the listing agent who said that they had not seen the report, and did not know that the work was not guaranteed. I believe that, because WHAT agent would recommend that their client pay BIG BUCKS for termite treatment that did not come with some kind of warranty?



The Huntsville Texas Pest Control Company contacted me and sure enough, they do not guarantee their work. His explained to me that he stands behind his work but he will not put it in writing. He just couldn't do that.



The Huntsville Texas Pest Control Company then went on to tell me that all of those other Huntsville Texas Pest Control Companies that DO offer warranties make you renew the warranty after a year.



IF you want the warranty for another year, yes, they do. But MOST ( and I now realize -- NOT ALL) warranty their work FOR A YEAR from the date that the work is done.



It kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?



I mean.... the reason you get a warranty is because they do not expect to hear from you. They have used the right amount of product and applied it properly.



Hmm-mm.... what are they afraid of?



Consumer BEWARE! Not all Huntsville Texas Pest Control Companies are alike.



ASK BEFORE you hire some one to do the job, and GET IT IN WRITING.



Warranties vary from company to company and specific conditions can void a warranty. Please ASK what your warranty covers BEFORE agreeing to services. Make sure your contract has the warranty in writing. 



Consumer Alert: Local Pest Control Company DOES NOT Warranty Their Work

Comments(23)

Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Anita: ME TOO! Thank you! 

Mar 09, 2012 07:59 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Joni, I do not know much about termites, as we don't have them up here, but it would seem their work SHOULD be warrantied, or why would anyone use them!

Mar 09, 2012 08:29 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Joni,

That is a first! At the very least at least it is for 90 days! I would not recommend this Pest control company! Suggested..we need to be checking who we refer!!!

Mar 09, 2012 08:45 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Joni, now I have something else on my list of things to do on Monday.  I'm going to check with a couple of termite companies here.  I thought they were actually guaranteed for like three years in our area.  Interesting, indeed. 

Mar 09, 2012 08:55 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Joni, it annoys me to no extent, there are so many crooked Pest Control Outfits, that they really give a bad name to the industry. I only recommend two trusted ones....

Mar 09, 2012 09:38 AM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Joni~ Hard to believe that a company like that wont stand behind their work in writing! I certainly wouldn't be using their services!! 

Mar 09, 2012 10:25 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Joan: I was totally shocked. WHY would anyone spend that much money and not get a warranty. My only guess is they have no idea that this company doesn't offer one. They ASSUME that they do. They probably do not find out until it is too late. Like when they get the paperwork. CRAZY!

Dorie: I even asked him that very question. Not even for 3 months? NOPE! Not at all!

Juli: I know! I am now going to put it on the amendment "Termite work to be done by a licensed certified applicator with 1 year written and transferable warranty. This way they can choose who they want as long as they are licensed and they provide a written/transferable warranty.

Endre: In 8 years, this isi the FIRST time that I have ever had this happen, I did not put their name in the hopes that they will change their policy and do the right thing. I am warning the public so that they know to ask. Hopefully they will see this before its too late.

Melissa: I can not imagine why anyone would when others do the work for the same price or LESS and WITH a WRITTEN, transferable warranty!

Mar 09, 2012 11:05 AM
Lindsey Hasford
Edina Realty - Elk River, MN
Bringing you home...

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad that we don't have to deal with termites. This is a good warning for anyone that lives in an area where pest control is needed on a regular basis. Maybe that's why I live in the frozen beyond.

Mar 09, 2012 12:39 PM
Michael S. Bolton
Michael S. Bolton,Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
MN Appraiser

I agree with Lindsey, termites are one thing I would really hate to have to deal with. Great point about warranties, READ THE FINE PRINT! I've learned this lesson that hard way, more than once.

Have an AWESOME weekend!

Mar 09, 2012 01:08 PM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Joni - OMGosh! I've never heard of such a thing. Not only do ours warranty their work, but for a fee they reinspect every year and extend it another year.

Mar 09, 2012 07:16 PM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

This sort of thing makes you wonder if there isn't some sort of arrangement between the company and the L/A who recommends their services.  Obviously a company that offers a warranty is a better choice.

Mar 09, 2012 11:09 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

An excellent post, Joni. I wouldn't think anyone would accept a company like that these days but I guess it's still happening.

Mar 10, 2012 12:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good consumer report.  Every real estate professional needs to exercise care when recommending service providers.

Have a wonderful weekend, with your camera in hand.

Mar 10, 2012 01:03 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Lindsey: I can handle the pests better than the cold. That's why God put me here! :)))

Michael: Yes, sir. Never assume!

Connie: I had never heard of such a thing either. I thought that all of ours did to. But they do NOT! And the public needs to know it!

Al: I can not imagine that the listing agent knew. SURELY not!

Toni: My guess is that they do not know!

Roy: Yes we do. Here's to a wonderful weekend for you too! :)

 

Mar 10, 2012 01:21 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Hi Joni,

Excellent advice as most of us assume, as someone else said above, about a warranty and what it should at least cover. I have to wonder why Huntsville Texas Pest Control does not give some type of warranty for at least a year. This is a good blog and I will suggest it as it should be featured.

Mar 10, 2012 01:33 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Robert: It is a local company in Huntsville. I did not give the name, because I would hope that they will step up to the plate and do what is right. My point is to warn the public TO ASK AND GET IT IN WRITING so that they are not taken advantage of.

Mar 10, 2012 01:50 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Excellent post Joni.   I DEFINITELY WOULD BE reluctant to use or recommend any company that refuses to put their warranty in writing.... WHO WOULD?

Mar 10, 2012 05:25 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Rebecca: EXACTLY!

Mar 10, 2012 06:36 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Boy Joni, that doesn't seem right to me either. Why would you bother? Thanks for the head up!

Mar 10, 2012 09:19 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

DeeDee: I can't imagine. 

Mar 10, 2012 09:38 AM