Although we hope that the tradespeople we hire to work on our homes will be honest, sadly, not all of them are. In this blog, we are going to highlight one specific type of company, termite exterminators, and show you some of the ways you can avoid being ripped off.
It can be very easy for a company to exaggerate the dangers termites pose, especially as many homeowners do not have much experience in dealing with them. You will likely be told you need to spend a lot of money to treat the problem. How, then, can you ensure you are being told the truth? Firstly, get a second opinion. Compare the service and price you have been given with other companies in the area. If it is determined that you need the work doing, make sure that you have a written contract that contains a guarantee that your home will be covered for a specific length of time.
What else can you do to make sure you are being told the truth about a termite problem in your home? Instead of relying on their word, ask to be shown the evidence of termites so you can see for yourself. The presence of termites is generally evident by wood that is hollowed out along the grain and galleries lined with soil or mud. This evidence should also be found in your home, if you are shown a fence or woodpile that has termites, it does not necessarily mean your home is in immediate danger so don’t allow this to worry you.
If you are approached and offered a free termite inspection, proceed with caution as this will likely result in them finding a problem that doesn’t exist, or greatly exaggerating one that does.
Lastly, remember that while there are people out there ready to con you out of your hard-earned money, there are also many honest companies out there. These tips should help you to determine who they are.
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