Termite Bonds

Termites are a silent stealthy havoc wreaker. Often found nestling underground, the tiny insects eat away at the wood inside homes and buildings. So small and hidden it is usually the case that they are overseen until it is too late. Hiring a company that deals with such pests can work once an infestation has occurred but there is always the chance that they may come back. While there are preventative methods that may be taken by one to keep termites away one will undoubtedly find that they need to call pest control once again. If such is the case then one should seriously look into getting a termite bond.

What is a Termite Bond?

A termite bond is basically a form of insurance against termite infestations. One is essentially signing a contract with a pest control company which will protect one's home or building from termite attacks. Termite bonds come with an upfront cost that is paid by the customer to the pest control company after an initial treatment is done. A treatment is when an exterminator comes to the house or building in need of a bond to estimate the liability for a termite infestation. Depending on the results of the treatment will determine the cost of the bond. According to leading pest control companies, this primary payment can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,000 depending on the location and size of the property. If a treatment reveals there is a high liability for termite infestation, then the price of the bond will be affected as well.

Afterward, an annual fee is paid by the customer to the pest control company which in turn makes sure that any reoccurrence of termites is handled whether via termite baits and traps or some other method. The annual fee also covers the customer from damages to the property caused by termites in accordance with the contract. This is where things get tricky, as one must check the details of their bond to guarantee they are not any holes or areas that are not covered.

What to Look for in a Termite Bond

There are many different companies that offer termite control, and each one varies in their area of coverage when it comes to bonds. An important aspect to look at is whether or not there is a deductible. Most pest control companies offer a deductible. A deductible is the amount of money that needs to be reached for a company to pay to repair damages. A fully fledged termite infestation can cause a fortune in damages to a house or building, but if the pest control company is doing their job then that much damage shouldn't be an issue. One may want to rethink signing a contract with a very high deductible because they may be paying out of pocket for whatever damage is done

All pest control companies that offer termite bonds have exemptions in their coverage. Many of these exemptions are completely understandable and are meant to protect the company from unwanted frivolous lawsuits. Other exemptions should be noted carefully. A common example is when the contract says the company will cover wood structural damage. On the surface this seems correct, but one needs to examine the meaning of covering wood structural damage. If termites do munch away at the wood inside one's house then that is covered by the company, but if that also affects the tiling on the floor or the dry wall on the ceiling then that won't be covered. It is things like this that must be checked so that one doesn't get oneself into a bad deal.