A reminder would be nice before you learn termite inspector doesn’t do repairs
Q: Our listing agent referred us to a termite inspector who comes across as professional and honest. Regrettably, he found a tremendous amount of needed work, and to make matters worse, his firm does not do corrected repairs. Had we known of this, we would not have hired this termite inspector. Now we are tasked with finding other repair persons. Come to find out: Our agent mentioned this particular termite inspector has to return to reinspect and certify. Which is, of course, another fee to inspect the work by others. In the past, the termite companies always did the corrective repairs. Why didn’t someone disclose to us that this firm only conducts the inspections, which triggers reinspections?
A: In all fairness, there might have been a disclaimer form you signed with fine print stating just that. Even so, the inspector as well as your real estate agent should have mentioned the process. That would be employing full disclosure before your family makes a decision. Many agents and vendors do not habitually engage in that thought pattern. It’s stunning when even good people make important decisions for others and later state, “it’s not a big deal,” and “it’s the best way to do it.” In California, the agent has to repeatedly put himself or herself in the shoes of the client and ask themselves the bevy of necessary questions on each topic. This pre-eminent procedure sparks different brainstorming for all the moving parts of residential sales of which to pose to the buyer or seller clients. Agents make recommendations. Clients make decisions. Full stop.
Another must-have methodology for residential sales is to always turn a negative event upside and make it work for you. Save money by finding a reasonably priced licensed contractor for the repairs due to water or termites. Then, locate a low-cost firm that is licensed to handle chemicals in treating areas of infestation. The original termite inspector has to reinspect at a critical stage of repairs. Do not let workers remove and replace damaged lumber without a reinspection. Otherwise, you won’t receive the value-added and all-powerful Section 1 termite clearance certification.