Termite Protection for house - Rip Off or is it Just Me!!

Lprabh on 10/09/2013 - 15:39

Hi OZB Community,

This is my first post in the blogs, so please be kind :) and pardon my ignorance!

I built my home with a major builder last year and they provided me with Termite Protection (from Termguard).

Out of the blue, I got a call from Termguard pretty much telling me that the yearly inspection was due and that they had to come out to inspect the termite protection's health. Cost of inspection (yes just inspection) is $180!

On the top of that, they specifically asked me: Have you done any landscaping to the house's front of back since you moved in. I have done landscaping, to which they said "Since you have disturbed the soil, it upsets the chemical balance - hence I need to get the Termite Protection Chemical redone. Cost of re-protection is $250!

I expressed that I was unaware of such costs being involved, to which they highlighted:

  1. I get 50 years termite protection from Termguard, only on the condition that I get yearly inspections done ($180) and I get chemical re-done every three years (another $250). They said since Home and Contents does not cover termite, you can consider the yearly inspection fees as a yearly premium.
  2. I frankly told them I need to shop around the market for other companies, to which they argued that getting anyone else involved would Void the 50 year warranty (this is outlined in their information pack as well that the builder gave to me, ofcourse I only read it now).
  3. She even said that no other company can provide warranty on Termguard installed termite protection either.
  4. Worth a mention, she put extreme stress on the importance of Termite Protection being upto date only with Termguard or the house may crumble and all (well that was the idea really!)

OZB community, I am highly confused about this now. Please share your thoughts… suggest some options… and may be advise if it is really worth it for me to say no to these guys, and get Termite Protection done elsewhere. Any good ones in Melbourne?

Thanks in advance :)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • c64 on 10/09/2013 - 15:51
    +1

    seems like you are only getting 3 year protection if they need to redo the place every 3 years.

    doesn't hurt to ring around and see if the prices are comparable to other competitors.

    • prabh on 10/09/2013 - 16:07

      Thanks for your advise mattgal. Might shop around

    • SirFlibbled on 11/09/2013 - 14:18

      This is what I thought. You can't offer a 50 year warranty on something that clearly only lasts 3.

      • rmamila on 09/12/2013 - 11:40

        Isn't that what all the auto dealerships do on vehicles. You get extended warranty for 5 years but you have to service from them every 6 months for that period.

  • siraitken on 10/09/2013 - 15:58

    When we bought a property there was termite damage but not active termites.

    We negotiated a discount and then got termite treatment for the property.

    It cost approx $2k and lasts 10 years.

    It depends where you live and how you maintain your property. If you leave wood around and don't have good ventilation below your house then you may need termite protection.

    Is your house built on a concrete slab?

    • prabh on 10/09/2013 - 16:10

      Hi siraitken,

      I live in Doreen, VIC. Not sure what you meant by how I maintain the property, but I would do standard cleaning now and then (not a clean freak though!)

      Mine is a concrete slab. I remember having those huge thermocol pads underneath the slab. Not sure if that counts as ventillation.

      With regards to having wood around the house, I have some mulch here and there touching the walls. Is that bad for the house?

  • one man clan on 10/09/2013 - 16:16

    This sounds like extortion. It's a termite protection racket.

    I'd pay up, otherwise they'll cut of your thumbs and break your legs.

  • prabh on 10/09/2013 - 17:23

    Any other ideas/comments people?

  • mskeggs on 10/09/2013 - 17:46

    If you have built on a slab, what will the termites eat? Are termites a big problem where you are?

    • prabh on 10/09/2013 - 22:26

      Dont think termites are a problem in my area.. may be CSIRO website could have clues

  • batrarobin on 10/09/2013 - 18:58

    Going though the exact same thing here in WA from the last 3 years. Paying $190 to keep the termite insurance going. This year I think it would be expensive one.

  • MITM on 10/09/2013 - 19:10
    +1

    1 tip: Don't plant gardens up against the house. (It's also a fire hazzard to your house)

    The yearly inspection is to keep the 50 year warranty valid.
    Bit like a car, you have to have it regularly serviced by the book for the 5 year new car warranty to be valid.

    New suburb ? All the old trees bulldozed? They'll be looking for something else to eat.
    What's the history of termite attack in your area ?

    Timber fences ? Get colourbond

    How long do you plan to live there - average household moves every 7 years. Are you termite proofing for the future homeowner ?

    Argh, home ownership.

    • prabh on 10/09/2013 - 22:25

      Yeah mate! home ownership… a totally new life.

  • sraymond on 10/09/2013 - 20:02
    +1

    You really need to compare the cost of an inspection to the worth of your property. Say it's valued at $400k, then $180 is about one twentieth of one percent. Biflex is a good chemical and we use it for termites on most jobs. If you are unhappy with the person you spoke to, who was probably a salesperson for the pest control company, not Homeguard, then just pick another certified installer to inspect your house and check the barrier. http://www.fmcaustralasia.com.au/HomeGuard/FindAHomeGuardIns…
    The chemical is sturdy and offers a great warranty, but you have to stick to the T&C'S unfortunately.

  • TQS on 11/09/2013 - 13:47
    +1

    Pretty BS I'd tell ya! I hated how they're forcing you to cough out the money! The only way to keep their business I guess? Its not really a guarantee is it if you have o pay to get it going on a regular basis? I think you should check around first see what other termites people say?

  • Helenn on 15/09/2013 - 22:54

    I absolutely agree, sounds like a rip off!

    When looking into termidoor etc, we worked out that it would be around 1/4 of the price to have six monthly termite inspection and spot treatment done. Which is what we decided to do. It has actually dropped to about once a year with no problems so far.
    On top of the expense, we were told that if you had heavy rain (so a bit of ground underwater) or did any digging/gardening this would make the guarantee invalid.
    The other thing I considered was a termite baiting system, which seemed quite interesting. I made my own one with a toilet roll but didn't get any bites :)
    Chooks are my other secret weapon, they absolutely love them!

    Seriously though it does sound like easy money for termaguard.

  • robs12 on 16/09/2013 - 21:30

    If you sell the house, get an inspection done beforehand.
    If you are worried about termites and confident to DIY (in addition to what was already put down) then buy some Spectrum 200SC:

    http://pct.au.com/surefire/product_show.aspx?i=79

    This is 200g/L Imidacloprid - as per Premise.

    Available on eBay and a whole lot cheaper…

    But this is not pest control advice…DYOR etc.
    {It's not just you}.

  • Ahan on 17/09/2013 - 08:08

    I bought my house two years ago and I knew I have Termguard protection and it is valid until 2014. Out of blue, I got a call from one of the company saying I have to do an annual inspection, which I was never aware of. Ironically, they are not the company who did the recent chemical injunction… The price of inspection is $180.

    I rang up the people who did the treatment and they also claimed I need to do annual insepction with a fee of $270. I reckon I will just keep the chemical up-to-date but not pay the annual inspection costs.

  • rickxs on 06/12/2013 - 19:18

    this is a scam & scare mongering by such companies —— my last house had Termimesh ,did not need yearly inspections-there for life —now my Metricon build uses Statewide pest control, who charge $200 to have a tap walk through every year !!!
    So get proactive dig a small trench to 150mm deep around the house & use TERMIDOR or similar & DIY [see google on how to apply & amounts]
    if you have decking {merbou]? the bearers etc. will be treated pine just be vigilent for mud trails
    why would a builder use this method opposed to a lifetime barrier as in Termimesh?
    in cahoots together = MONEY

  • Rons20 on 29/09/2014 - 10:36

    Yes once you read between the lines the warranty is only valid for 12 months ,and the salesperson is like a Pitbull if you do not do this your house will be consumed by termites instantly .There is several types of chemical some last longer than others do your research and if building a house use termimesh and keep the house walls clear of gardens

  • garyarora on 13/10/2014 - 21:36

    Hi Prabh,

    I am exactly in the same situation. A major builder, termite insurance from Termguard and recently we received a call for annual inspection ($180). However I don't know how much will they charge for chemicals as I'd get the quote when someone will come for inspection.

    Just wanted to ask you how did you go with Termguard? Did you find any alternative or ended up paying $$$$ to Termguard.

    Thanks, Gary

  • Happy501 on 15/10/2014 - 21:21

    for $180 why wouldn't you get in and have a look yourself?

    • anna10 on 12/11/2014 - 15:14

      It is hard to see as it takes an expert to recognise the signs sometimes. In my case it was just some 'frass' I think they call it and it took them ages to trace it back to the corner and the source. I wouldn't rely on it myself. It's a very expensive mistake. It seems that the previous owner had killed them, but not fixed it.

      We couldn't see it until the skirtings and floor boards were removed. Thee builder just kept ripping things up till he got the solid timber. The little buggers has eaten away the inside.

  • highon2str on 10/11/2014 - 14:18

    If a house is built on a concrete slab, are termites still an issue? I've seen houses in new estates with termguard and wondered if it was just a waste of money?

    • kbear2002 on 12/11/2014 - 13:11

      i guess it is an issue if there are ways for the termites to get into your house, if you clear tree's and any other paths then the termguard should work …. i try to avoid having anything near the house (tree's, plants, dead wood, dead bodies ….)

  • anna10 on 12/11/2014 - 07:05

    I had an unofficial building inspection at my place in case I thought of selling and wanted to know what an official one would find in my 50 years old house. Two inspectors spent ages right under the house in one corner and came back and said that there was termite damage but that they were dead and gone now. The termites had come from a huge old Eucalypt up in the reserve, munched down the now replaced timber fence into my underfloor timbers.

    Then, I got a builder mate to fix up the damage. It was in the back bedroom and ended up with a hole in the floor, joists, boards and skirting into the hallway all needing replacing . Luckily, not up into the roof, bloody nuisance matching up the exact size of timbers to patch up to matching. All at my cost due to house insurance not covering.

    Having said that, it seems like a rip off to do an inspection and top up so often. Plus, be aware that the chemicals are strong, and unncessary treatment is possibly not good for the humans.

  • okeefe26 on 02/02/2015 - 09:54
    +1

    Went through the inspection and chemical refill with Termguard last year as it was the anniversary of the house being completed and there was a lot of earthworks undertaken. Just had the phone call from Termguard again for its annual inspection. I advised them that Solicitors don't even charge $180 for 20 minutes work. I suggested that a $50-$80 fee would be more appropriate but they would not negotiate. I finished the call stating I would find a cheaper alternative

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