Ours is a brand new townhome built 2 years ago. The builder engaged a
pest control agency for termite control. We are now renewing the
warranty every year (they do not administer anything, but do an
inspection each year and we pay for the warranty alone). I heard that
its probably not needed for new homes.

Does anyone have insight into if this is required for new homes?

Thanks in advance.

SR.

newbee wrote:

Ours is a brand new townhome built 2 years ago. The builder engaged a
pest control agency for termite control. We are now renewing the
warranty every year (they do not administer anything, but do an
inspection each year and we pay for the warranty alone). I heard that
its probably not needed for new homes.

Does anyone have insight into if this is required for new homes?

Thanks in advance.

SR.


Depends on the warranty coverage, potential for termites, building
quality, etc. In Florida, there have been many, many large residential
projects with horrible building defects not discovered for 3, 4, or 5
years. One in particular that comes to mind was a large homeowner's
assn. where each owner had to come up with eighty-something thousand
bucks to repair severe damage from leaky walls and windows. Some owners
could not come up with that and pay their mortgages. A condo not far
from we had the same sort of problem discovered when it was about 2
years old and the damage not as extensive. It was covered with blue
tarps for about a year. Fortunately, the board pres. was an attorney.

Our condo (40 yrs. old) has been tented twice. After the first time,
one board treas. forgot to pay the annual fee, which would have covered
the second tenting. Our neighbors on both sides have been tented within
the past 2-3 years, and the buildings are no more than 10 years.

You need to know the prevalence of termites, the prevalent type in your
area and the treatment method, what the contract covers - additional
treatment, repair damage, cost of other lodging during treatment, then
decide whether it is worth the cost.

"newbee" wrote
Ours is a brand new townhome built 2 years ago. The builder engaged a
pest control agency for termite control. We are now renewing the
warranty every year (they do not administer anything, but do an
inspection each year and we pay for the warranty alone). I heard that
its probably not needed for new homes.

Does anyone have insight into if this is required for new homes?

'Required' can have several meanings this time. Your place was probably
treated. Several different types of termites apply here. Ground ones sound
like wht your area might have as thats the type where they just come out and
monitor as needed. Orkin has a spray that lasts up to 15 years as a
preventive but if you get an infestation, they pay to fix it once you have
the place treated. We just did that on our 50YO house.

Maintianing the warentee is cheap in comparison to an infestation and
cleaning one out.
Also, check your insurance and household policies. You may find you are
required to keep the warentee until you have paid off the house.

On Nov 27, 6:01 pm, "Cshenk" wrote:
"newbee" wrote

Ours is a brand new townhome built 2 years ago. The builder engaged a
pest control agency for termite control. We are now renewing the
warranty every year (they do not administer anything, but do an
inspection each year and we pay for the warranty alone). I heard that
its probably not needed for new homes.

Does anyone have insight into if this is required for new homes?

'Required' can have several meanings this time. Your place was probably
treated. Several different types of termites apply here. Ground ones sound
like wht your area might have as thats the type where they just come out and
monitor as needed. Orkin has a spray that lasts up to 15 years as a
preventive but if you get an infestation, they pay to fix it once you have
the place treated. We just did that on our 50YO house.

Maintianing the warentee is cheap in comparison to an infestation and
cleaning one out.

That's the bottom line. I have a program where I pay about $60 a year
for a policy that covers annual inspection, application of some
indicator wood stakes outside to find termites before they get in the
house, and free treatment if termites are found. Seems a reasonable
deal compared to the cost of treatment. Of course it all depends on
how prevelant termites are in your area, type of construction, etc.







Also, check your insurance and household policies. You may find you are
required to keep the warentee until you have paid off the house.

wrote C
shenk" wrote:

like wht your area might have as thats the type where they just come out
and
monitor as needed. Orkin has a spray that lasts up to 15 years as a
preventive but if you get an infestation, they pay to fix it once you
have
the place treated. We just did that on our 50YO house.

Maintianing the warentee is cheap in comparison to an infestation and
cleaning one out.

That's the bottom line. I have a program where I pay about $60 a year
for a policy that covers annual inspection, application of some
indicator wood stakes outside to find termites before they get in the
house, and free treatment if termites are found. Seems a reasonable
deal compared to the cost of treatment. Of course it all depends on
how prevelant termites are in your area, type of construction, etc.

Yup. I'm paying that a month, but thats a pro-rated cost over 3 years for
both the warentee and cleaning an active infestation out (fortunately caught
early with minimal damage, none structural). Most of that is cost of
treatment. Policy alone after that is 120$ a year in my area but I get a
deduction on my homeowners insurance due to using Orkin so my net cost is
about the same as yours annually.

Policy cost is also related to how 'active' an area is on termites. Mine is
a very active area. If i keep the policy active, I get retreatments as
needed at no extra cost (automatically at about the 10 year point) and can
transfer the policy 'live' to a new owner if I sell later. I learned quite
a bit in that termite line recently as you can see. If I ever get another
house, I will simply not buy it if it hasnt got a transferrable warrentee
with a very high preference for Orkin.

Our house has had 2 previous infestations and both caught early and killed
off, but we didnt know about the product lines so fell for the hype and
ended up with a 3rd infestation. Now, we have the solid stuff that lasts
for a decade or more and a complete guarentee. The earlier 2 cleanings were
'cheaper' but the products used, turns out last 6 months or so in my area.
Live and learn eh?

On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:00:03 -0800 (PST), newbee
wrote:

Ours is a brand new townhome built 2 years ago. The builder engaged a
pest control agency for termite control. We are now renewing the
warranty every year (they do not administer anything, but do an
inspection each year and we pay for the warranty alone). I heard that
its probably not needed for new homes.

Does anyone have insight into if this is required for new homes?

Thanks in advance.

SR.


I doubt there would be a requirement of any sort. I bought a
new-construction house in 1992. The lot is heavily wooded on one side
and I have seen termites in old logs. But I keep gutters cleaned,
keep debris away from the foundation, and do regular inspections
around the house and in the basement. The neighbor across the street
has a termite contract. They drilled a series of holes all around his
foundation to inject termicides. Neither of us had any infestations.
I'm sure if you read up on termite inspections, you can do it yourself
and save a little money. Termite companies like to use scare tactics
to sell their services. In any event, a yearly inspection is a good
idea.