I hate to leave a negative review because Critter Catchers DID remove the squirrel from my attic, but overall I had a negative experience with them:
1. They caused me to miss work:
Critter Catchers was the only company to answer their phone on a Sunday morning, and when they said someone would come out the next morning to trap the squirrel in my attic I decided to use them. I called my office and told them I'd be in as soon as Critter Catchers set the trap. They finally showed up at 3:30PM. If I had known they would be there in the afternoon instead of the morning, I could have worked most of that day, but instead I missed an entire day of work waiting for them.
2. Squirrel removal took 5 weeks!
Greg, the trapper was very nice. He placed a trap to catch the squirrel, but unfortunately did not thoroughly inspect my home and placed the trap where he THOUGHT the squirrel was gaining access to my attic, not where it was ACTUALLY gaining access. When he moved the traps to the correct spot, the squirrel was caught the next day. I had to deal with a squirrel living in my attic for 5 additional weeks because of their mistake. I understand people make mistakes, but there was never any attempt to compensate me for their mistake; in fact as soon as the squirrel was caught they quoted me a ridiculously high price to repair the hole in my attic (more about that later), as if the previous 5 weeks hadn't happened and they had performed their job flawlessly. Disappointing.
3. Questionable Pricing
The cost Mike (the owner of the company) quoted for a squirrel removed was $425. Greg wrote an invoice for $485. When I told him I was quoted $425 he changed the invoice. AFTER he set the traps and had my check he said, "It's going to be about $150-$200 to repair the hole." I was shocked, as that was the first I was hearing about a cost to repair the hole. When I called and told Mike I needed a squirrel removed from my attic, he said it would cost $425. He never mentioned additional costs. Their website says it's critical to have access points to your home sealed after the squirrel is removed...wouldn't you think their price included that critical part of the process?? After the squirrel was caught Greg said, "How much did I tell you the hole repair was?" When someone asks me this question I've learned to say "You didn't." -- if they think you don't remember their first quote, their second price is ALWAYS higher . Try it, you'll be surprised how often it happens. Greg now said the hole repair would be $425. Now I was REALLY questioning their prices.
4. Outrageous Prices
Critter Catchers' prices are VERY high. To remove a squirrel and seal one hole their price was $850. When they quoted $425 to repair the hole, I did what I should have done before and called several companies for quotes. ALL had lower rates. I paid another company $150 to repair the hole. When I asked this company, they said they could have done a removal AND hole repair for $350. That's 60% less than Critter Catchers' price. The hole in my home was 40 feet off the ground, required a 40 foot ladder and two men to complete the job, so it was more expensive than a one story home repair, but the second company repaired the hole under those conditions for $150, not Critter Catchers' $425.
5. Customer Service doesn't seem to be a high priority
I tried to give them a chance to make things right. I called and spoke with Mike today and told him about my experience, from the extended amount of time that the squirrel continued to live in my attic to their high prices. I asked if maybe there was a miscommunication and that their $425 was to include the hole repair (their prices would have still been more than the other company charged by $75, which would be a reasonable price difference) and he assured me that there was not. He repeatedly asked for the name of the company I used for the repair, saying they must not be licensed and insured if they were able to do the work at prices lower than his. I didn't tell him the name of the other company because I thought he would just say they were a horrible company with a bad reputation and that's why they're able to charge reasonable prices. I don't mind sharing that information with him now or with you in this review. I used 'Atlanta Squirrel and Rat Removal'. They are insured and licensed. Very professional, effective and reasonably priced. If their name is removed from this review, check out my other reviews to see who they are. I plan to write them a 5 star review as soon as I submit this one.
If you're considering using Critter Catchers, do yourself a favor and call several other companies to compare prices first, and if you do use them, make sure their prices don't change on you like they did for me. read more