Termite warranties protect from termite problems. While that is true, not many people fully understand what warranties are all about.
In this article, we provide answers by looking at the difference between termite warranties and other types of agreements, such as termite letters.
Termite Guarantee
If you’re wondering if you need one, answers to that and more are provided below. By the end, you should be able to grasp better its whole meaning and how to get a warranty for your termite issues.
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What is a Termite Warranty?
A termite warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a termite company. This contract guarantees that the pest company will effectively handle and resolve any pest issues.
Termite warranties vary by the extent of service provided.
For some, the agreement or contract covers the cost of termite inspection and treatment alone, while others go beyond that to include termite treatment and damage repair.
For termite warranties to be comprehensive enough, you’ll need to choose a pest control company first.
The warranty coverage usually spans an annual timeframe, after which the contract has to be renewed. Of course, the renewal will be determined by the perceived value of the service.
Satisfied clients are more likely to renew their contracts than clients who aren’t happy.
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Are Termite Warranties the Same as Termite Letters?
When fully understanding termite protection, clear distinctions must be made between different agreement types.
First off, we’ve explained a termite warranty as an insurance policy or plan that a termite company issues to provide prevention and treatment for termite issues.
This usually covers an agreed-upon timeframe, after which it will require renewal. Now, certain termite warranties are transferrable between homeowners.
They serve as a form of insurance against termite activity. On the other hand, termite letters are only meant to confirm a home is free of termites.
Termite letters are usually requested during home sales or refinances. These letters offer no future guarantee or protection from termite activities as termite warranties do.
You never know when you have an active termite infestation due to termite damage.
Home is usually a considerable investment you wouldn’t want to jeopardize. With their voracious appetite for cellulose-containing items, it won’t be long before termites target your home.
Preventing this from happening is something you can deliberately set out to do by entering into a contract with a termite company.
The termite prevention and treatment contract is known as the termite warranty or bond. A reputable company will need to be hired for treatment to be worthwhile.
If you plan to sell your home anytime soon, you’ll need a termite warranty to improve the value of such property. When weighing the cost of treatment and repair, it’s easy to see the actual value of termite warranties.
The average cost of repairs falls around $3,000 and could go significantly higher.
With a warranty, termite infestation is quickly tackled, thus saving significant treatment and repair costs. It’s a contract that’s worth the price.
Getting a Termite Home Warranty
Termite warranties are usually entered into after termite treatment has been conducted. A reputable and licensed termite company must complete such treatment. After the treatment, different treatment options or plans are presented for you to choose from.
Based on your needs, technicians are likely to recommend a specific type of contract. Most contracts sold by these termite companies offer comprehensive solutions. As stated earlier, some only cover treatments, while others include termite treatments and damage repair.
Buying a Home with Termite Warranty
When shopping for a home, not everyone having a termite warranty means a good investment. You’ll need to find out the nature of the Warranty, amongst other things, to avoid short-selling.
In other words, real questions must be asked to find out the true nature of what you’re buying.
Was pretreatment performed? Were investments made in termite-resistant materials?
Additional questions to be asked include reasons for such a warranty. Is the home within a termite-prone area? How long does the Warranty last?
Let’s briefly take a look at these questions.
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Was Pretreatment Performed?
This mainly applies to buyers of newly built property. Here, finding out whether pretreatment was performed helps guide your buying decisions.
Part of the construction procedures for new properties should include preventive treatment to guard against future infestations.
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Were there Investments in Termite-Resistant Materials?
What types of construction materials were used? This is important as it allows you to determine if a home is worth spending that money on.
Homes built with termite-resistant materials tend to have fewer cases of termite infestations. This makes your termite warranty more effective.
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Reasons for the Termite Warranty
Termite warranties are entered when the property is newly built, while others are only issued after identifying and treating a termite infestation.
Knowing this detail helps you make the right purchase decisions.
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Is the Property Within a Termite-Prone Area?
Properties within termite-prone locations or regions will likely have higher incidences of termite infestations.
That’s more reason why termite warranties are needed. To put these pests in check, scheduled inspections, preventive treatments, and damage repairs are necessary.
Not having the proper knowledge might lead to inaction, which worsens your termite situation. Acting on the information obtained is essential to get the needed outcomes.
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How long does the Warranty Last?
As stated earlier, termite warranties usually last about a year. As an interested home buyer, you need to know how long until the next renewal of your termite warranty.
This way, you can maintain the contract and keep it going.
Is Termite Warranty Part of Homeowner’s Insurance?
More often than not, people have misconceptions about what homeowner’s insurance contracts include.
It’s important to state that termite damage is inevitable and isn’t primarily included in homeowner insurance contracts.
These are the basics of termite warranties. It’s an essential and comprehensive pest maintenance strategy that keeps your home free of termites.