Reading a Tennessee termite contract

What state rules require

From the department's pesticide charters page, citing Tenn. R. & Regs. 0080-09-04-.08:

• A written contract, in duplicate, signed before any pesticide application.
• The date of inspection and a graph of the property showing where visible insects or damage were found.
• A provision letting the contract transfer to later owners or renters during its term.
• A unique contract number.
• A one-year warranty providing for retreatment.

Repair of damage is a separate question

Coverage for damage during the term is optional under these rules. A contract without it has to say so on the front in letters a half inch tall. Look for that notice, because a retreatment warranty and a damage warranty are very different things.

Annual inspections

For each property under contract, the company must inspect yearly and document the date. If it finds termite activity that doesn't match the earlier graph, it must apply an appropriate pesticide and make a new graph showing that activity. You can ask for copies of inspection and treatment records, and the company must provide them within 48 hours of your request.

Partial treatments

A company may do less than a complete treatment, but it must tell you the possible outcomes, note your acceptance in bold in the contract, have you initial it, and mark on the graph where the partial treatment will be done. If you see that bold line in a contract, understand what you're agreeing to before you initial.

Things to ask before signing

• Is this a liquid treatment, baits or a mix, and why that for this house?
• What does the renewal cost, and can the price change?
• What would void the warranty?
• Who should I contact if I see termites again?

If a company won't issue a contract or won't retreat an active infestation, the Department of Agriculture says it can investigate.