Beware of unethical termite inspectors!

Over the years, I’ve seen this situation all too often: a homeowner trying to sell their house and trying to get the most out of the deal. But, during the sales process, he or she receives “nickel and tithes” until death for repairs or other things the buyer wants.

In many parts of the country, a home must pass a termite inspection before the bank will lend you money. That, in itself, is not a problem. All homeowners should want their home to be protected against termites. The problem starts when an unethical or downright dishonest termite inspector is hired. These guys really don’t care about selling or buying your house. They are only looking to sell a high dollar value treatment in the homes they inspect. Here are some of the tricks they use:

1. Termites on fences, trees, stumps, landscape timbers, or other wood not attached to the house: You must treat the house. In parts of the country where termites attack homes, you can find them everywhere. You see, termites are nature’s little recyclers, and their purpose is to put cellulose back into the soil. With that being the case, you need to understand that they can be found almost anywhere you find cellulose: in the garden, near the house, etc. A home should not need to be treated if termites are only found outside, away from the home.

2. Your home has not been treated for termites in the last 5 years; must treat the house. On the back of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form, it gives the inspector the right to RECOMMEND a treatment, and one of the criteria is if there has been no treatment for termites in the last 5 years. However, the inspector MUST take other circumstances into account. They should not AUTOMATICALLY recommend a treatment in each house that exceeds the 5 year mark for treatment.

Remember, the inspector only has the power and authority to RECOMMEND a treatment. He can’t say it’s a requirement. It depends on the bank if a treatment will be required or not.

One other thing to remember: An inspector could list the home as infested on the NPMA-33 report and sell a treatment based on that report. However, if you check termites in Section II of the report, and those termites are located far from the home (tree stump, fence, etc.), and you sell a treatment, you are committing fraud by misrepresenting actual conditions and findings . from inspection of him. This is because Section II of the NPMA-33 form is reserved for findings in, on, or under the structure only, and NOT for areas outside the structure.

Homeowners who are considering selling their home, and anyone considering buying a home, should educate themselves on all aspects of selling a home. When it comes to hiring inspectors, ask for references, call the Better Business Bureau, and contact your state’s pest control regulatory agency, often the state department of agriculture. Ask specific questions about the company you’re considering hiring, and then make an informed decision.