Cook's Termite and Pest Control, Inc.

We Inspect AND Protect!

Call: 263-1085

Buying a new home?
Experience the Cook's Gas-Line Total Home-Buyer Protection Plan!
Protection before and after the closing.

Before the closing...We Inspect

After the closing...We Protect!

Gas leaks should be detected before your family moves in, not after.

During our inspection we provide a written report of our findings. If leaks are present the report will indicate where. Once you receive our report you can then require the seller to make the necessary repairs before you close.

A gas line inspection can save your life
...a warranty alone can't.

If the gas lines pass our inspection and the buyer wishes to receive a one year extended service warranty we can provide this to the buyer at no extra charge. A few key benefits of our warranty plan are:

Warranty coverage is for one full year starting on the date of closing.
No deductibles or service call fees.
No repair cost "caps".
Repairs by state licensed plumbers

Compare the difference between a Gas Line Inspection and a
Gas Line Warranty without an inspection.

Gas Line Inspection

Gas Line Warranty (without inspection)

Gas Line Inspection =
Buyer Protection

Buyer Advantages
- Gas leaks are discovered before the buyer purchases the home.
- Although gas leaks are the primary focus of an inspection, a competent inspector can detect signs of illegal/improper piping and other problems which may not be covered under a warranty and would require repair or replacement by the buyer some time in the future.
- Repairs/replacements are made prior to closing with little or no inconvenience to the buyer.
- Secondary repair expenses associated with gas line repair (new sod, landscaping, blacktop, sidewalks, etc) and not covered in a warranty are repaired by the seller and approved by the buyer prior to closing.
- Enables the buyer to move into a safe, gas leak free home.
- Realtors have peace of mind knowing they sold a "safe" home to their buyers.
- Buyer has the option to receive an extended one year warranty after the inspection is performed.

Buyer Disadvantages
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Seller Advantages
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Seller Disadvantages
- May be expensive for the seller if gas line leaks are found requiring immediate repair.
- Seller inconvenience.
- Repairing gas line leaks could be an unexpected expense that the seller may not be financially capable to have repairs performed.
- May cause negotiation problems between buyer and seller.
- Seller may have to lower the purchase price if he's short on funds.
- Seller may refuse to repair
- Delays the closing by having to wait for repairs.
- Could possibly jeopardize the sale.

Gas Line Warranty =
Seller Protection

Buyer Advantages
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Buyer Disadvantages
- Does not cover secondary expenses (sod, landscaping, blacktop, sidewalk replacement, etc.)
- Dangerous gas line leaks may be present that could be detrimental to the health of the buyer, his family and pets because actual gas leak testing is not performed.
- If buyer does not "discover" leaks until after the coverage term expires he must pay for repairs himself.
- Buyer may have to pay for deductibles and service charges in connection with warranty services.
- To determine if gas leaks are present buyer will have to hire his own plumber to test the lines at his own expense.
- Warranty may come with a "CAP" on the maximum amount the warranty will pay on all claims combined.
- Buyer may not understand what the warranty implies and does not imply.
- Absence of an inspection may not be fully disclosed to the buyer.
- Gas leaks discovered in the dead of winter could mean no heat until repairs are made. A warranty does not provide for hotel reimbursement.
- Buyer assumes all responsibility for detection of gas leaks, reporting a claim, scheduling repairs and being home for the repairs.

Seller Advantages
- Enables the seller to avoid paying for gas leak repairs out of his own pocket.
- Enables a seller to sell a home full of gas leaks with zero liability to the buyer after the closing.
- Speeds up the closing by not having to wait for negotiating and completion of repairs.
- Prevents possible pre-closing hassles that could jeopardize the sale.

Seller Disadvantages
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Frequently asked questions:

Does a gas line warranty mean there are no gas leaks in the home I am buying?....
NO. Not unless the company issuing the warranty performs an inspection first.
Doesn't the gas line warranty cover having someone come out to do a gas line check after I move into the property?...
NO. This is a service you will have to hire and pay for yourself.
So if I get just a warranty and not an inspection then I may be moving into a home with an actively leaking gas line?...
YES. Unfortunately this is not fully explained to new homebuyers.
I will be having the entire home inspected by a home inspector. Don't home inspectors automatically check the gas lines for leaks as part of their home inspection?...
NO. Not all home inspectors will perform gas leak checks. Many home inspectors provide this service as an "additional" service with an additional charge. Some do not offer the service at all. When you contact the home inspector you may want to ask if the home inspector does gas line inspections and if so ask if this is an included item or an additional service and what the cost will be. Not all home inspectors operate the exact same way so it's wise of the home buyer to always ask these questions and not take the word of anyone who may unknowingly give you inaccurate information.
What can I do to make sure the house I buy doesn't have gas leaks?...
Most agents will order and arrange all the inspections for their buyers. If you do not specifically request that a gas line inspection be done chances are one will not be performed. Make sure that your real estate agent knows you want the gas lines tested and you do not want just a warranty or paper policy without the testing. If your agent uses Cook's we can do both your termite inspection and your gas line inspection in one visit. The gas line report will be delivered for you to review along with the termite inspection report.

If you will be ordering your own inspections ask specific questions and communicate the fact you want a gas line inspection and not just a warranty without an inspection. Ask if they provide any type of written report or completed checklist for you to review after the inspection is performed. Although a written report is not required it's a good idea to have this in hand in the event repairs will be needed following the inspection.
How do most homeowners discover they have a leak?
Unfortunately most homeowners discover a leak in the dead of winter because this is when gas usage is at it's highest. If Columbia Gas finds a serious leak they will shut off all gas service until the repairs are made by a certified plumber. If the leak is serious enough to pose a health risk or possible property damage the gas will be immediately shut off even if temperatures outside are below zero. Wouldn't it have been better for this problem to have been taken care of last summer when you bought the house and BEFORE you moved in?
But if the leaks will eventually be repaired under a policy without an inspection why should I worry about it as long as it gets fixed?
Gas leaks are not something that should be put off. If a gas leak is present then the health of your family is at stake. Why leave such a critical situation up to chance that someday you may find it...or worse, don't find it.

Even if you only go a month before finding a gas leak...isn't a month a long time to have exposed yourself and your family to such a health threatening situation?
An "insurance policy" is okay for some things....but a gas line leak?
Does Cook's also offer a warranty for one year to the buyer after they perform their inspection?
Yes. If the gas lines pass our inspection and the buyer wishes to receive a one year extended service warranty we can provide this to the buyer. The real estate purchase contract may state the gas line inspection is a buyers expense and the gas line warranty is a seller expense so you may want to make sure who pays for what if you want a gas line warranty following the inspection. If the seller does not wish to provide the warranty for you, you may still purchase the extended coverage yourself.
Can I buy a gas line warranty from Cook's if another company does the inspection?
No. Cook's will not issue a warranty on any property we do not inspect.
If the seller already has a warranty in place on the gas lines should I still have the gas lines inpected when I have my other inspections performed?
Absolutely. If a gas line inspection was not performed prior to the warranty being issued you should have an inspection performed. A gas line warranty should never substitute for an actual physical inspection of the gas lines.
If I have an inspection performed and everything checks out fine do I still need to have a gas line warranty?
This is entirely up to you. An inspection alone is not a guarantee that the property will never have a gas line leak as a gas line leak can occur at any time. A warranty following an inspection will protect you from expensive natural gas line leak repairs should they occur within the one year coverage period from the closing date. The warranty is offered as a means to give the buyer the extra coverage if the buyer chooses to do so. As with any warranty product they are optional and the consumer should weigh the situation based on their own needs and concerns. Not all warranty coverage is the same. The buyer should know of any limitations contained in the warranty offered by the inspection company prior to selection.

FYI: Check your home warranty if you have one or the seller is providing one for you. Many home warranty companies include with their coverage repairs to inside gas leaks and in some cases exterior gas lines as well.

Have a question about our gas line services?
Email us or call 614-263-1085

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