Termite Bond on New Builds
 

I just had my home inspection done on my house (it’s now been 10 months since I closed). Luckily, no major issues were found, but quite a few minor issues were noted that will need to be addressed with the warranty dept.

The inspector brought up the termite bond that comes with the new build (from Massey), as it expires in December unless I renew it. He advised that I let it lapse, and that there is really no need for termite bond for the new homes south of 44, as they are sufficiently treated to protect against termites for many, many years. He felt it was an unnecessary expense, that many homeowners get out of “fear”, rather than something that’s needed.

So, that got me thinking as to whether I will renew my termite bond or not. Would like to hear what others have done who have purchased new homes in the last year or two. Also, has anyone heard of termites being an issue south of 44? Thank you.

That doesn't sound correct. Typically, the builder treats the soil under the house, and provdes the owner with a 5-year termite contract, that must be renewed every year for about $100. Massey is one of the primary contractors for this work. I had a 5-year Massey contract, and when it expired, they retreated the entire house and provided a 10-year renewable contract. Note that the Massey contract is not a bond. They self insure for any termite damage.

For me it depends on who you used for the inspection. With 4 homes in TV since 2007, there are some inspectors that suggest some things, that others will not.

When we bought our 3rd home it was preowned. Wife died and spouse didn’t do any upkeep on the house for years.

Our mortgage company required active termite coverage. Daisy from Dean’s ($250) came to our home inspection, she didn’t detect any termites. However she did find a palm next door, not close to our property that had termites. We then proceeded with their service.

Once you see a fully tented home in TV, for termite’s make you ponder why they didn’t continue service.

We have Massey for first year, switching to Deans as soon as we are close to one year. Yes we will have termite coverage

My advice would be to ask your surrounding neighbors, in person.
There are a lot a people giving advice on this board who do nothing but worry about things that might happen while they clutch their pearls and wring their hands.
My parents got like that when they were older. They believed every horror story that a salesman gave them and spent a lot of money based on that.
There are people who always see the "what if" side, and there are others who weigh the options.
Ask yourself this, do you want to ask questions of strangers who spend most of their life on an internet message board (see post counts), or do you want to ask the people that you actually KNOW and surround yourself with?

I wouldn't let Massey touch my home. They will hound you with spam and home visits when you don't renew. Just keep saying NO. You don't have to worry about termites anyway. Waste of money.

My question would be............what is the credit worthiness of the Massey corporate shell if they are self funded.

Could be fine................but I would want to know.

We buy it mainly for the periodic termite treatments (Deans). I view Deans termite ‘insurance’ as an added benefit. Deans termite package = periodic termite treatments + termite insurance. At least with Deans, if you don’t buy their termite package, you don’t get their periodic termite treatments.

The topic of buying termite insurance has been discussed a lot on TOTV. Yes, there are termites in central Florida (see the link below from U Florida, for example). The challenge is we rarely see termites and, when present, they cause a lot of damage. Since we almost never see them, they are sort of a hidden risk. Like any decision to buy most forms of insurance, it comes down to one’s perception of _their_ risk, their tolerance of risk, and their level of discretionary income and wealth.

If you are going to talk with others about termites, talk with some who have lived in Florida at least 10 years. Like hurricane risk, termite risk in Florida is not the same as termite risk ‘up north’.

ENY-2079/IN1360: Termite Species Distribution in Florida and UF Termite Identification Services

A little to pay for piece of mind. Our development is sbout 7 1/2 years old and there have been 3 people I know of that have had termites so that will tell you how well they are “treated”.

Yes
There have been a few instances of termite infestation south of 44
Pay $100 you will sleep better

I did Massey's "bond" like plan for about a year in T V then one day actually took the time to read their invoice. They use Termidor SC for termite prevention. I used Termidor Sc at my house prior before moving to T V. I started ordering Termidor SC again (it can have other names on Amazon for about $70 a bottle which will last for a few years) and self-treat the foundation and eves twice a year (prevents more than just termites).

If its good enough for Massey in T V, having used it at prior homes, I knew it was good enough for me.

You might consider the "methodology" that Massey uses as compared to others....such as Deans. Massey uses a bait system, so it draws the termites to the bait. Deans treats around the home killing termites if they are there. For me, drawing termites doesn't sound like something I would want so we switched to Deans.

Agree, moisture (South of 44 has a lot of ponds and literally filled in swamp area). Wooden houses are optimal restaurants for termites. Three months was all it too to devour an exterior grade 2 x 4 frame I had once at at FL residence on the ground in the back yard.

Definitely a good idea to have a plan one way or another to prevent and protect from termites. They can penitrate through cement and can get through cracks of cement as well.

How much dose deans charge for termite. Do they also treat for common bugs in your house and lawn?

I agree. When you buy a new house, you are paying for a 5-year termite protection. The annual renewal cost is basically for reinspections. To me, it wouldn't make sense to just let the contract lapse after the first year.

Termite
 

I use Superior service and paid once when I first hired them
They do a termite inspection every year with no additional cost.
They are much better than Massey with their other services also

Ground Termites
 

I wouldn’t purchase it. You know you can buy Termidore SC online and it does the same thing. Most homes are block construction where we live anyway.

If you have a block and stucco house,i wouldn't renew. If you have a stick /wood framed house you might reconsider.

They can not bore through concrete, but can access wood through cracks in concrete.

Ask the type of termites covered. Our neighbor had Massey termite coverage for years only to discover that her type of termite was not covered.

You could also save a lot of money by cancelling your home and auto insurance...but that doesn't make sense either.

Every house in TV has wood trusses. In our build we are also 25% wood studs, along with metal studs

We never had a termite bond on our new house. The builder got pretty insistent that we get one during our walk thru. We thought it was odd that he was so pushy. Makes one wonder if there might be something in it for him.

Sounds very strange. As I understand it, all new houses are treated for termites. The initial treatment is required by Florida law. They poison the soil under the house before the foundation is constructed. It is very inexpensive at that time. Most of these treatments are done by Massey or Deans. The new owner automatically gets a 5-year termite contract, starting on the date of closing, but it needs to be renewed and the house inspected every year. After 5 years, the house needs to be retreated if the owner wants to continue the contract.

There are dry wood termites that swarm and can get into the attic without entering the slap and climbing inside walls. We had Massey treat the attic and our termite coverage includes the attic. So we have dry wood termite and subterranean termite coverage.

Dampwood and Drywood Termites

Note that the standard and mandatory termite treatment for new houses is for subterranean termites only. The dry wood termite treatment is optional. Personally, I would opt out of the dry wood termite treatment because those termites can be detected early enough to avoid significant damage.

Is it possible that the builder wanted you to buy an optional dry wood termite treatment and contract? This would be in addition to the standard subterrenean termite treatment that is required by Florida law for new houses.

As a 55 year old Native(yes, we do exist) of Marion County and a 15+ year REALTOR I will share my opinion. If I purchased a home that already had a termite bond on it, I would definitely keep it up if the yearly cost was say $250 or less.
Yes, it is true that the property has to be treated for termites on all new construction. However, there is no definite way of knowing if it was properly treated with enough product. Being in the industry I have heard stories of termite companies that will dilute their product down or just not apply as much product as really needed in order to make more money. It is impossible for a building inspector to be able to determine Exactly how much product was used.

Yes, it also true that you Probably will not have any termite issues in the first 5 years. But do you want to possibly risk an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars to save a few hundred? I have personally seen multiple times where subterranean termites enter from underground through a crack in your slab, get into the interior walls and eat up a lot of the interior framing before you ever know they are there. Unless you go digging in the ground looking for them you usually never see subterranean termite until the swarm, which is usually like Feb. to April depending on the temperature.

With all that being said I would also prefer a company that treats the property instead of using a bating system. The baiting system I am familiar with was called Sentricon. I heard many mixed reviews from both homeowner's and termite technicians.

Florida Department Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Formoson Termites

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Mostly found in South FL, some reported in Tampa...

They do not "bore" or "digest" but "displace" concrete as if to be eating, using their little itsy bitsy teeny weeny mouths to move tiny bits of concrete. Sorry I forgot to use precise wording when claiming "eat" and words matter in an extreme literal way on totv.

Next question: can or could they they migrate or show up in the T V. ? Who wants to roll a dice to find out? Not me so I choose to treat as if they could. I treat the perimeter of my concrete slab. Just because one has a "block" or concrete slab house one might want to still consider treating the home.

Our new construction was treated for termites by Massey. Was it done properly? It's supposed to last for five years. After the first year we were asked by Massey to pay them to do nothing. We declined and paid Dean's to inspect and apply prevention.

You pay Massey annually to visit your house and inspect it for termites, not to do nothing. After 5 years, they will retreat the entire house by pumping chemicals every 16 inches in the soil under the house. On my case, the cost was about $400, and they entended the termite contract for 10 years.

By contrast, Deans does not retreat the entire house. They will visit every year and only treat a small portion of the house. Also, they will not extend your contract for more than a year at a time. So, they can raise your annual price or cancel your agreement any time they want.

Last year, I discussed these options in detail with both Massey and Deans, and I decided that Massey offered a better deal. When your initial 5 year contract expires, I would suggest that you discuss these two options and decide which company you want to use. For me, Deans' year-to-year approach was not acceptable.

I think it’s $120 a year? Better to have it & not need it than need it and not have it.