OK, so this ain’t exactly fine homebuilding, but there’s a lot of knowledge here, so I thought it’d be worth a shot. 10 years ago, shortly after I moved in to the house I’m in I found termites. I did the usual thing and had the house treated and got the policy that provides subsequent treatment if needed. The company I originally contracted with has now been consumed by another, less responsive company. I’d like to switch, but if I recall correctly, I’d have to start from scratch, get re-treated, the whole nine yards ($$$$). Am I correct that they have me by the do-dads, or is there a way to switch companies without starting from scratch.
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You used to do this stuff, didn't you?
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I bought a pre-existing Co. and just took over accounts and equip. ( after being educated and certified in PA.)
Not knowing the contract details you have, I'd be guessing. Our contracts had no provisons or clauses , it was free choice, but we had to honor any warranty for X amt. of yrs. on TERMITES only.
Your state may have rules, and if the new Co.'s operators are not certified or other wise legit, you can't be held captive in a service plan.
The new, NEW PC company will not usually need to do a "Clean Out" unless you have a reinfestation, which should still be under the warranty or agreement with PC co.#1.
I'd hope they can pick up where the prior treatment was ended, do you have bait traps? Or other monthly monitored service?
In my day, we wonked em good the first visit and never, never, had a comeback or retreatment..but chlordane was still legal, and we used it.
Can't help ya much, but try to call a small time PCO, Vs. a Humphrys or Terminex, I got a lot of new biz. from those two, they go thru help pretty often, and when you have a guy with keys to your house, in it every month, you want to know who it is..Owner Operator is generally a better cost deal as well.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
Well, NOW is the time to act. The last service agreement I saw required you to cancel THIS year for next years' service - or you got billed anyway.
Go ahead, cancel with them. Be sure to follow all the steps called for in the contract.
As for hiring a new company, that's up to them. Call around, etc., see what they want. If they can see that you've kept current witn maintenance, they may be happy to first do an inspection, then simply pick up the service agreement.
If they find damage in their inspection, be happy to pay for the inspection - and get the report in writing. Gibe the previous service a chance to fulfil their obligations - the talk to a lawyer. If you think there might be damage, you might want to inspect before you cancel the old agreement.