Pathetic Termite Inspectors

[Tab M. Wilcox]

More and more I'm running across Termite inspectors that are at the property 10 minutes. If our client is present they do not discuss their findings and/or point out potential conditions that either will attract Termites or keep their presence hidden. It happened tonight and my clients were upset that he did not acknowledge them and tell them about the several logs in the ground all around the property and the high grade next to the slab. What gives?

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

I've seen situations where the exterminator comes right up the propery and starts pitching service plans before they even look at the property.

Made me find it differcult to continue to outsource it.

tom

[Gary L. Porter]

I have never seen them not talk to the client.

[William Warner]

I have 2 companies that I recommend. Both are very thorough and good with my clients. When Clients choose their own pest company or it gets chosen by the agents... the service is far less. Just like everyone else experience - 10 to 15 minutes on site and their gone!
There is even one advertising use of dog except there hasn't been a dog in use for over a year!!! I saw him pull into the drive when I got on the roof. By the time I got down, he was gone! I was wanting to see the dog in action. I asked the agent what the scoop was and she said "Ohhh... the dog got hit and he never replaced him... but he's pretty good..." My only comment was "He was only here for 10 minutes!"

Unbelievable...

[Tab M. Wilcox]

Ran into the same guy today. He left without talking to my clients or their agent. The agent was pissed about that. It's amazing they can get away with that!!

[Mathew Hawley]

And as far as I know they are state licensed in most states. Just goes to show you licensing is not a "cure all".

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Tab M. Wilcox

More and more I'm running across Termite inspectors that are at the property 10 minutes. If our client is present they do not discuss their findings and/or point out potential conditions that either will attract Termites or keep their presence hidden. It happened tonight and my clients were upset that he did not acknowledge them and tell them about the several logs in the ground all around the property and the high grade next to the slab. What gives?

That's exactly why I perform WBI inspections myself.

I've had exterminators call me to tell me that I reported Termites on a specific property and they can not locate them. I have them meet me on location at a specified time and I'll point them out to them.

What are they... blind?

And these guys are supposed to be trained for this sort of stuff....GO FIGURE.

[William E. Siegel]

Most termite inspectors are sales people first and inspectors second. Their main job is to sell treatments. It would be my guess that the inspector who is there for ten minutes and not speaking to the customer is inspecting a newer home where he has no chance of getting the job, or has been told the home is under warranty with another compnay. If it is an older home and he finds termites, I bet he will talk to client, seller, and agent because now he stands a chance of making a commission. Is this right? Absolutely not. But it is the nature of the business. You need to train your inspector on how to conduct his inspection and let him know what you expect. You are the boss on that inspection and he is working for you. I have had to do this many times. In the long run it pays off.

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by dvalley

That's exactly why I perform WBI inspections myself.

I've had exterminators call me to tell me that I reported Termites on a specific property and they can not locate them. I have them meet me on location at a specified time and I'll point them out to them.

What are they... blind?

And these guys are supposed to be trained for this sort of stuff....GO FIGURE.

The specific location of termites has little to do with the treatment of termites. It's more important in states that require all past damage to be repaired asap, so it's not confused for future damage. So the only one that could get in trouble for not located the actual damage is you, as a HI. So ignorance is bliss, and an exterminator can live in a utopia.

imho,

tom

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Tab M. Wilcox

More and more I'm running across Termite inspectors that are at the property 10 minutes. If our client is present they do not discuss their findings and/or point out potential conditions that either will attract Termites or keep their presence hidden. It happened tonight and my clients were upset that he did not acknowledge them and tell them about the several logs in the ground all around the property and the high grade next to the slab. What gives?

Tab, pass the test and find someone that you can inspect under their license and viola, you are the termite guy, talk to whoever you want and take as long as necessary. Also increase your income.

[David E. Helm]

That's why I love Washington's WDO laws. Puts the WDO inspection where it belongs in my opinion: the Home Inspector! Those of us who really care about doing a good job for our clients are happy to be licensed WDO inspectors.

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by dhelm

That's why I love Washington's WDO laws.

There is no wdi law in Pa. No definition of a wdi inspector. Just the PAR and blanket consumer fraud laws. The Par limits who can do wdi stuff, if used. Consumer protection laws protect the consumers from people who wake up and think they are wdi experts. PAR is preventative, while the fraud laws are punitive(pretty severe in case of fraud).

tom

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dhelm

That's why I love Washington's WDO laws. Puts the WDO inspection where it belongs in my opinion: the Home Inspector! Those of us who really care about doing a good job for our clients are happy to be licensed WDO inspectors.

The Washington Law's intent was to protect Pest companies and is not a good law for Home Inspectors. Two entirely different things alltogether. DUMB LAW

[Ted Allen]

I would suggest that you pass the required test for your State and do your own WDI inspection you will need a Qualifing party.

The normal WDI inspection around here incudes, quik walk through the home .... that is no attic or crawl. Then they want to sell you some preventitive ****, to include a Termiteicide that they put around the perimeter of your home......... Not a bad idea if your home is over 7 years old, or some companies offer Dow Cornings version of Termite control. This is good stuff, but you will incure an initial cost of 1200-5000 dollars and a yearly fee of 3-7 hundred dollars to monitor the system.

[Ted Allen]

I would suggest that you pass the required test for your State and do your own WDI inspection you will need a Qualifing party.

The normal WDI inspection around here incudes, quik walk through the home .... that is no attic or crawl. Then they want to sell you some preventitive ****, to include a Termiteicide that they put around the perimeter of your home......... Not a bad idea if your home is over 7 years old, or some companies offer Dow Cornings version of Termite control. This is good stuff, but you will incure an initial cost of 1200-5000 dollars and a yearly fee of 3-7 hundred dollars to monitor the system.


AZ 060319