Thinking about hiring an exterminator to get rid of termites? Do you know whether the company you are considering is properly licensed? What about complaints pending against the firm? Are you aware if there are? You are about to take a very costly trip and you need to know if there are pot holes ahead.
Here are two things you should definitely do before hiring termite companies.
First, contact your state pest control agency to make sure the business you are interested in is properly trained and licensed.
It is not unusual for a company to show you a license which might have expired or been suspended or revoked.
That is why you should not take the company's representative's word for whether or not the company is properly trained and licensed.
You should contact your state agency.
In California, you would contact the Structural Pest Control Board.
Not only should you ask about the company, you should ask about the particular individuals who come out to do the work.
You should ask the company for this information and insist that you receive it.
This is because the company can be properly licensed but the worker may not be or s/he may not be properly trained to perform the intended service.
You should also contact your State Consumer Affairs Office, the local Better Business Bureau, and the State Pest Control Board to see if there have been any complaints filed against the company and whether those complaints were resolved.
Some commentators say you ought to get references.
The problem with references is that you never know if the people you are referred to are employees, owners, relatives, and friends of the company and or its employees.
Finally, do a Google search of the company and see if anyone on the Internet has written anything about it.
Keep in mind though, that there are always at least three sides to every story: he said, she said, and the truth.