Thread: Shocking rip off.

Get a migrant to do it. They usually work harder

Originally Posted by ATH

Total cost 190 bucks and that was with a 130 bucks discount for being a member of the motoring club! If I hadn't get into him about the roof he would have been off within about 30 minutes.
What an absolute bloody rip off.

I suspect he hasn't been in the business too long if he hadn't worked out that those with a residual English accent like to get their pound of flesh!

Originally Posted by ATH

Forget the phone scams, the worst rip off I've ever suffered is the pest control inspection and spider treatment promoted by our local motoring organisation. Bloke turns up on time so that was good, slipped covers on his shoes to avoid dirt on the carpets etc. so that was good as well.
Got his torch out which looked like it needed new batteries to me and nothing like the "brilliant" light some pest control companies advertise as using when inspecting for termites. Plus he had a stick thing like a blind mans (sorry..vision impaired person) walking stick which he tapped against the skirtings as he walked around. Looked into all the cupboards as well.
Then it was up into the roof space. Now I'd told him access was not easy due to the aircon ducting everywhere but he assured me it would be OK. Cook and I listened to him up there and it was obvious he never moved far from the access hatch in the hallway.
I asked him why and he said it was too difficult to get past the ducting..... I told him others such as electricians/security had been up there with no complaints so why couldn't he? Also I wasn't at all happy about most of the timber not being inspected. He said he'd give it another "Go".
Off he went after getting his ladder back out but from the noises we could here he never went over the whole roof space. Anyway, down he comes and announces he's satisfied we have no termite invasions.
He then said that inspections were 70% writing reports and just a bit, 30%, actually checking anything....
Then he goes off and does a spider treatment which consisted of a quick spray around the timber bits etc. and then he packed his gear up.
This little charade had taken nearly a whole hour of his time.
Total cost 190 bucks and that was with a 130 bucks discount for being a member of the motoring club! If I hadn't get into him about the roof he would have been off within about 30 minutes.
What an absolute bloody rip off.
AlanH.
PS. I've always done much of my own pest control previously but thought I'd get this done as we've had some fancy offers to buy from builders because of our views etc. but I sure as hell ain't paying any of these charlatans any money in the future.

Just on a side note, Alan. Did you turn the power to the house off, before he entered the ceiling?

Dangers of working in ceiling spaces

A telecommunications worker received burns when he came into contact with a rodent-damaged cable while installing CCTV in a ceiling space. The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated. This is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of working in ceiling spaces. If you need to work in a ceiling or roof space, make sure you turn off all the main power switches at the switchboard first. Even with the power off at the switchboard, avoid contact with electrical cables and equipment as some circuits, like service lines and solar PV cables, will still be live. It is a good idea to use torches and cordless tools so you don't need power when you're working in the ceiling space. Ceiling space hazards: solar PV systems have supply cables that may be live during daylight hours battery energy storage systems and uninterruptable power supply systems may have live cables damaged electrical cables or equipment insulation material covering electrical fittings or equipment (unless the electrical equipment is designed to be covered by insulation such as an IC-4 rated luminaire) heat, working at height, dangerous vermin, sharp objects and asbestos containing materials.

A good termite test involves the tapping and also moisture measuring

Its pretty easy to find them with a $30ish item for that but rising damp and water leaks also get located of course. I really do not see the cost as the issue. Turn up and leave and 30 minutes on site would cost that much before car, insurance, work cover, taxes...... Only worth it if they do the job properly of course.

Power off before climbing about in a roof space is a great idea.



"Use of the moisture Meter

When termites attack timber, they bring moisture into the wood that theyareattacking, and hence this causes discolouration. So be very alert for discoloured timbers, for example, Radiata pine goes bluish black in colour when attacked by termites, but bear in mind, that the termites would have to be close to the surface for this discolouration to take place. Use your torch and shine it at a 45-degree angle on the wood in suspect areas to see if the wood shows any irregularities. If you do find any timber that is suspect, probe very gently, as termites are easily disturbed, and they may not return if you are too invasive with your inspection. If you breach any termite leads, quickly seal them off with a piece of tape, as not to let any light in, as you may want to to apply some form of dust or bait in this area in the near future.
Remember, a moisture meter will not find termites, it will find areas of high moisture content, termites may bring moisture into the wood, so that is why it is an essential tool to employ when carrying out a termite inspection."

Termite Inspections

Yes power off twice for his safety and I agree with that. First was for the very cursory inspection of the bit of roofing timbers he could see near the hatch, then secondly for his return trip to "have another go" after I complained, which wasn't much better than the first as we could hear his movements up there. And he didn't move too far.
Price wouldn't have bothered me if it'd involved a bit more diligence and actual treatment not just a quick squirt with some stuff to kill spiders.... Don't forget this service was at a reduced price supposedly saving us 165 bucks!!!
Complete rip off and if that's their normal standard we won't be having them back at any time.
AlanH.

PS. My accent Gavin, has a touch more than "residual tones" thankyou.

Years ago termites at the rafters in our garage & had to demolish the garage, We had an inspection of total property , & treatment around house . The treatment was insured for X number of years & we had to have yearly inspections for the insurance which cost a bundle . After each inspection were we got all clear I would find a termite nest somewhere in the garden . After 3 years the insurance Co went bust so we were no longer insured . I have done the yearly inspections since treating any nests I find in the garden with termite poison I buy from Bunnings. As for the garage we built a new one out of steel & bricks

I know a building inspector , his main job is inspecting termite affected houses so insurance Co's can get out of paying out on claims .
Recons in about 90% he can find fault with owners so Insurance Co's don't have to fully pay or not pay.

Originally Posted by 1950landy

Years ago termites at the rafters in our garage & had to demolish the garage, We had an inspection of total property , & treatment around house . The treatment was insured for X number of years & we had to have yearly inspections for the insurance which cost a bundle . After each inspection were we got all clear I would find a termite nest somewhere in the garden . After 3 years the insurance Co went bust so we were no longer insured . I have done the yearly inspections since treating any nests I find in the garden with termite poison I buy from Bunnings. As for the garage we built a new one out of steel & bricks

I know a building inspector , his main job is inspecting termite affected houses so insurance Co's can get out of paying out on claims .
Recons in about 90% he can find fault with owners so Insurance Co's don't have to fully pay or not pay.

We had pre existing termites damage and tested and treated for a decade. During a recent renovation I found the testing was a shocker as a small active termite attack was in a area we demolished!

I now have a pipe all around my house which is topped up every two years. Also have termite traps I got from QLD. Very nice. I think they were forced to stop selling the bait and treatment for active attacks which is a sad over regulation I think. My bait traps are like these ones. Link
Termite-Trap-eaten-topside.jpeg
Its is just gum tree ( tassi Oak) in side the trap.

At least the man from Jim's termite inspections came and used a golf wood driver, not a stick and went around every where inside. He also used a moisture meter .