The Scoop on Pest Control Companies and Outlandish Repair Estimates
Termite Inspection and Removal
Termite reports can be the source of the biggest disputes between buyers and sellers. They are the main reason for closing delays and can cost a lot. A buyer has the right to know the true condition of the properties. Termite reports have become comprehensive reports on the condition of the house. They now include prevention suggestions as well as pest damage. Sellers are required to disclose all inspection reports made on your home and failure to do so could result in a very expensive lawsuit after the sale.
Why Termite Reports Cause Problems
Termite reports are not required by law, but the lender will insist that one be done and that any problems raised be corrected. They certainly don’t want to lend on a property that is in disrepair. After all, they may own it one day. The problem starts here: Buyers and sellers will sign a contract agreeing that one party will pay for the repairs recommended in the termite report. I can’t imagine a buyer who doesn’t want all the work done according to the report. This means that the seller may be required to perform corrective work that may not be “required” by state law or the purchase contract. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the sale.
A vendor may want to have more than one report as there is a lot of money involved and a second opinion is a reasonable approach for a very high set of corrective recommendations. To avoid the problem, get a termite report before you put it up for sale. This way, you’ll know your maximum liability for structural damage and have the option of having all the work done before scaring the buyer away with the potential work required for the permit. The cost of a termite report is determined by the buyers or sellers through negotiation, unless you request one prior to listing.
Who Country
The cost of the report is traditionally negotiable in your geographical area, often setting a previous or at least a guideline. In general, the seller agrees to pay for the repair work, or at least a part of it, while the buyer pays for the termite report and any preventive work.
Abusive pest control companies
Pest control companies that perform termite inspections are licensed and regulated by a state structural pest control board, and all their inspection reports must be filed with the board. The board makes copies of any report filed on a building during the previous two years available to the public. Buyers: You can save yourself a lot of heartache if you take the time to review the pest control reports on any property you are thinking of buying.
Termite reports cause numerous escrow problems, in part because the company that inspects a building also submits the estimate to perform the work. In other words, the termite company determines the extent of the damage, the work to be done, and then offers the work. Once the job is complete, the company also deletes the report. If the inspector finds that some work needs to be done, he usually gets the job to do that work. If he doesn’t find anything wrong with the structure, he doesn’t get any work. Do you think that self-interest may influence some of the recommendations? After all, there is often more than one way to fix a problem, and at least one more expensive way.
Protect yourself from outlandish repair estimates.
You can request more than one termite inspection report.
Ask an independent contractor or carpenter to bid on the job. The offers are free of charge.
Hire a pest control company that will make the report but not do the corrective work.
Many independent pest control specialists will do the work provided by a termite report much cheaper than the Pest Control Company and will guarantee that their work will stand up.
Make the job easier yourself.
Howard Bell for yourpropertypath.com