I had a termite problem at a rental property in Stockton. I had inspections performed by clark, orkin, terminix, and areawide exterminators to compare costs. I knew I had both types of termites from these inspections and needed both fumigation and injection of pesticide into the foundation. I called A-1 exterminators to get another estimate based on a recommendation. I wish I had not done so. I asked for an estimate and told them I had already had the property inspected by several other companies. I even sent them the reports from the other companies. The person I spoke to said he would have to do his own inspection before giving me an estimate. That's fine. He came out and did the inspection. I asked that the report be emailed to me which it is was but the report only included the cost of the fumigation. I called to ask about the injection in the foundation cost. The inspector said as he could not get into the backyard (tenants were not home or did not understand him perhaps--language barrier) he could not give me an estimate on the injection. I told him I had just talked to them and if went back he could get in. He agreed and did go back but for whatever reason still could not get into the back. He called and said he could not give an estimate for the injection. I saw from his initial report that the fumigation cost would be higher than the other estimates so I figured that any injection costs would similarly be so As most of the other estimates were within a few hunded dollars of each other, I chose orkin due to their national reputation.
You can image my surprise when a week later, I get an inspection report by mail with a fee of $75. Now all the other companies I contacted did the inspection for free. I guess it was partly my fault for assuming that A-1 exterminators also would do the inspection for free. But I was never told that the inspection would have a fee either. In the report generated there was a fee for fumigation, fee for injection, and a fee for the inspection. There total fees were not cheaper than the other companies. I was told later that the inspection fee would be incorporated into the total fee if I had the work done by A-1 exterminators; however, on my report, the fee was definitely a separate line item and not included.
I immediately called A-1 exterminators. I left a voicemail because they "were on another line". Never did get a call back. Called again to indicate I was never told there would be an inspection fee. They said they would have the inspector call me back. I called them three times on 2 separate days and waited for 5 days. you guessed it, no callback. Finally called the A-1 exterminators office in Stockton, explained the situation. Receptionist said sorry but they always have an inspection fee. I explained that no one from their Lodi office had indicated this, not the receptionist I called initially nor the inspector. They said they would not reduce nor cancel the fee. So I paid them the $75 so they would not send me to collections.
I cannot give any comment on whether this company's pest service is any good or not since I went with orkin instead but if their customer service is any indication I would be very cautious if you engage this company for any wok. My recommendation is to avoid them and go with someone else. read more
