Strike Force Pest & Termite Control

I looked extensively online for someone to do a WDIIR in order to buy a home. I made many calls to other pest control companies both large and small. Strike Force scheduled me immediately and was very affordable with no hidden tricks. Their service was excellent and staff professional from start to finish.

Review: Strikeforce was hired to do an inspection of our home during our due diligence. For homebuying. They failed to contact our representative, us, the inspector, the seller or the seller's representative. Nobody had any knowledge of their inspection date or time And only after calling them for requested appointment do we find out they had already done the inspection. At that time they finally sent over the inspection report – this was two days after their inspection. There in inspection was extremely bag and when we called the customer service line the lady Continue to be bag and told us specifically "we don't have to tell you if termites are active or not". This representative also stated that they had contact our representative, which they had not. They then responded "well then we contacted the seller's representative", which they had not. After getting a secondary opinion on the termite inspection it was concluded that there was no termite premises on the property at all! The entire inspection was geared to locking us into paying for their services and they threatened the possibility of our loan approval.Desired Settlement: Due to their negligence and incompetent reporting I wish to have them compensate me for the second inspection that was needed. This inspection was $58. I would request a direct refund however the termite inspection was set up and paid through the Home inspector - I was not billed directly by Strikeforce for the termite inspection.

Business

Response:

[redacted],Thank you very much for forwarding this information on complaint number[redacted].I searched our customer data base. We don't have a [redacted] nor an address in our records for [redacted]It is possible this person was referring to a different address, but failed to include it in the complaint. If you get some updated information, please forward it to me.Thanks,[redacted]PresidentStrike Force Pest and Termite Control, Inc.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID[redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

To clarify: Inspection was done on the 19th - processed on the 20th. This is the information provided to us the first time we called. However, on Thursday, 6/20, our inspector [redacted] had no idea about the inspection. As I signed papers for my agreement for the inspection, he told me there was an added $25 fee for the termite inspection. He told me they "Should be calling you to set up the inspection." He then asked, "Did they already call you?" I told him no. He then commented, "Well, if they didn't call that usually means they will be doing the inspection while we are here." If the inspection was done on the 19th, why would my inspector at that time not know it happened at all? The inspector knew the inspection happened only after he received the report. But to say he knew of the inspection and when it was happening is untrue.To clarify: [redacted], the seller's agent, was asked for a code to enter the home. Is the seller your client? If the buyer is the one purchasing the inspection, the buyer or the buyer's agent should have been notified of the inspection at some point. We called on Friday, 6/21 to inquire on when the inspection would be done - at that time neither our agent or us were aware the inspection had even been completed. We were told it was done on Wednesday. We called back after talking to our agent to voice our concerns about not being contacted. We were told by a representative that "We notified your agent." Not true, she was never notified. Why was the buyer's party not notified of the inspection prior or during said inspection? I stated in the first letter I was not directly billed, however I did employ StrikeForce's services and had to pay for them - paid directly or not, I am their customer and they were compensated by me for the service they provided for me.This state report that was filled out is vague, yes. However, lenders do not just take into consideration the "evidence" of insects. In the inspection there is also photo evidence and a recommendation from the termite inspector. Concerning the photo, the pieces of wood were of a fence owned by the neighboring property. These pieces of wood were at least 6 ft (if not much more) from the home. Second, how can a 2800 sq. foot home not produce more than one single photograph? Are there any areas of the home affected by an evidence of insects? The statement made by checking the boxes "CORRECTIVE" "SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES" "TREAT ACTIVE AREAS" paints a picture of a problem. However, there is no evidence (beyond the fence pieces) of a problem needing corrective action. If there was such a dire need, more than one photo would have been taken.It was stated the "presence of" and the "evidence of" are different. True. I understand that. However, if the evidence is that of past infestation (which was determined specifically by our second inspection) why was "CORRECTIVE" treatment recommended vs. "PREVENTATIVE" treatment? The statements in this inspection are misleading and contains positioning to force the buyer into treatment services- Strikeforce knows full well a loan will not be approved if there is a presence of termites. This report leads all parties to believe there is an insect situation that must be corrected. This is misleading and completely untrue. The second inspection may state "evidence was found," however, is there corrective treatment recommended in that report? Strikeforce maintains they are not required to state if infestation is deemed active or inactive, however, if there is no active presence on a property and all evidence is from past infestation AND the company acts with integrity and with the best interests of the consumer there would be clarifying comments to such written in the sections designated? This report was purposely vague with limited and insufficient proof to support the claim of "CORRECTIVE ACTION".Regards,

Business

Response:

To clarify: Inspection was done on the 19th - processed on the 20th. This is the information provided to us the first time we called. However, on Thursday, 6/20, our inspector [redacted] had no idea about the inspection. As I signed papers for my agreement for the inspection, he told me there was an added $25 fee for the termite inspection. This transaction is between you and him. He told me they "Should be calling you to set up the inspection." He then asked, "Did they already call you?" I told him no. He then commented, "Well, if they didn't call that usually means they will be doing the inspection while we are here." All of this information is between the two of you. [redacted] ordered the inspection, we got access info from the selling agent (because they are the only person to provide the code) If the inspection was done on the 19th, why would my inspector at that time not know it happened at all? You would have to ask him. I was not present for the conversation. The inspector knew the inspection happened only after he received the report. But to say he knew of the inspection and when it was happening is untrue. Again, these questions about a conversation between you and him, should be directed to him, not me. To clarify: Georgia, the seller's agent, was asked for a code to enter the home. Is the seller your client? No, the home inspector is my client. In the World of inspections, the seller's agent provides the access code for the lock box that they own. We contacted the seller's agent to get that code in order to fulfill the request of getting a termite inspection done on this property. If the buyer is the one purchasing the inspection, the buyer or the buyer's agent should have been notified of the inspection at some point. That really isn't how it works in this market. Sometimes byers and/or buyer's will be present at the termite inspection. But, about 95% of our termite inspections on done on home with no buyer present. Usually buyers will be present for home inspections. We called on Friday, 6/21 to inquire on when the inspection would be done - at that time neither our agent or us were aware the inspection had even been completed. We were told it was done on Wednesday. We called back after talking to our agent to voice our concerns about not being contacted. We were told by a representative that "We notified your agent." Not true, she was never notified. Why was the buyer's party not notified of the inspection prior or during said inspection? Again, unless we are told, or buyer/buyer's agent call in to request it specially that they want to be there, we just inspect the house. I stated in the first letter I was not directly billed, however I did employ StrikeForce's services and had to pay for them - paid directly or not, I am their customer and they were compensated by me for the service they provided for me. Incorrect, we have not received any payment for this inspection. So, if you paid someone else, please contact them with your request for a refund. Follow the money. This state report that was filled out is vague, yes. No, the report was filled out according the State's requirement. However, lenders do not just take into consideration the "evidence" of insects. When is comes to evidence of termites, all they care about is either 8A (Evidence of termites) or 8B (no Evidence of termites). In the inspection there is also photo evidence and a recommendation from the termite inspector. There is no recommendation from termite inspector. The report show 8A, evidence of termites. There is a termite treatment proposal if some one wants a quote. We put the proposal in there as a convenience to readers of the reports. A lot of times, the home will be under warranty, so no treatment is need from us at all.Concerning the photo, the pieces of wood were of a fence owned by the neighboring property. These pieces of wood were at least 6 ft (if not much more) from the home. I am not sure what the distance has to do with. If we see evidence of termites, we report it. It is just as simple as that. There isn't a distance test involved. Second, how can a 2800 sq. foot home not produce more than one single photograph? Photographs are not even required as part of the report. We will take a single photo of a call and put in the report. Are there any areas of the home affected by an evidence of insects? If there are it would be on the graph on page 3 of report. There still would be only one picture. Please don't get a termite report and home inspection report mixed up. With home inspection report, there may be 30 to 90 pictures of each and every call. 99.9% of termite reports don't have pictures at all. The statement made by checking the boxes "CORRECTIVE" "SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES" "TREAT ACTIVE AREAS" paints a picture of a problem. Checking the box for Corrective is state mandated, if you are making proposal with evidence of termites. The choices are either preventative (with wouldn't apply to your case) or corrective. This is it, one or the other. Subterranean termites is also required. We have to identify the type of wood-destroying insect. In your case it is Subterranean termites. Again, we are just following the regulations, set before us. Treat Active Areas describes the treatment process. However, there is no evidence (beyond the fence pieces) of a problem needing corrective action. If there was such a dire need, more than one photo would have been taken.There is no direct correlation between "dire need" and "photos taken". If termite evidence is present at time of inspection, we mark 8A. Photos aren't a requirement for the report. Again, very straight forward.It was stated the "presence of" and the "evidence of" are different. True. I understand that. However, if the evidence is that of past infestation (which was determined specifically by our second inspection) why was "CORRECTIVE" treatment recommended vs. "PREVENTATIVE" treatment? Great question. First there is no way to determine it the evidence found was from a past infestation. If your second opinion said that I would be suspicious. Did you second opinion give you a termite report. If they did good for them, it should still be marked 8A. Evidence of termites. I will explain in a moment. If they didn't give you a report, then they are in violation of the law. As a licensed termite inspector, if we inspect a home that is for sale, it has to be on the W.D.I.I.R. form. Getting back to why 8A must be marked. Our State Regulators say this, "Box A (8A) will need to be marked even if theobserved evidence is deemed from past activity...". They make it very simple and right to the point, even if old evidence is suspected, mark 8A. So, We marked 8A, as the law says. When we mark 8A, if we do a termite treatment proposal, we must mark either corrective or preventive. Since there is evidence of termites, we have to mark corrective. I hope that explains this point.The statements in this inspection are misleading no, the report is done according to the law and contains positioning to force the buyer into treatment services - Strikeforce knows full well a loan will not be approved if there is a presence of termites. This is not accurate. Loans have been done on house with termites and no treatments, we see this all the time. A lot of times, houses that have termites, will be treated under the current termites warranty. This report leads all parties to believe there is an insect situation that must be corrected. Not corrected. The report, when marked with 8A, makes every one aware there is a termite concern. That is the main focus of the report, to make people aware. If the house is treated, not treated, that is only the concerns of the people involved in the real estate transaction, not us. This is misleading and completely untrue. The second inspection may state "evidence was found," however, is there corrective treatment recommended in that report? I don't know, you would have to contact them. Strikeforce maintains they are not required to state if infestation is deemed active or inactive, however, if there is no active presence on a property and all evidence is from past infestation AND the company acts with integrity and with the best interests of the consumer there would be clarifying comments to such written in the sections designated? This report was purposely vague with limited and insufficient proof to support the claim of "CORRECTIVE ACTION". Interesting statements. See our comments above. As for your request about refund of inspection fee, please contact the person you paid the fee to.Regards,Joseph Wood

Great company! Goes out of their way to make things happen!