Pest control company overcharging

Sazzy23

Hi all, I’m just after some advice please. I had heard some scratching in my house so assumed we had rats/mice in the loft, I contacted a pest control company who charged me £250, came out, went into our loft, said he saw droppings/bite marks so he stayed 5 minutes, chucked some poison down and said check it in a few days. My husband and I went up, fully emptied the loft and saw absolutely no trace of any droppings/biting, in fact the loft was totally clear (he didn’t clear it up
While he was up there). I’ve since discovered it was a rat that has found its way into the side of my house and I have now sorted it myself. Can anyone please advise where I’d stand legally as the guy has not only lied but has also charged £250 for a service that I didn’t need nor has he done the requested job, I’ve ended up doing it myself! Any advice gratefully received, thank you!

DullGreyGuy

So what was causing the scratching sound then?

Did you just call one company or did you shop around for prices?

We had scratching sounds in the ceiling of a former house we rented. Landlord paid £150 for someone to come out. They heard the scratching sounds but said there was no evidence of mice/rats in the loft. They put poison in the loft, behind the kickboards in the kitchen and around the gas meter where there were large holes into the wall. He recommended blocking the holes with iron wool and expanding foam. 

Came back a week later, no signs of the kitchen poison eaten, gas meter was unclear as not 100% water tight but he claimed the loft poison was substantially gone. Most important we hadn't heard any more scratching. Put more poison in the loft and he nor the scratching ever came back. 

Add 10 years inflation and the price doesn't sound terrible... the one thing you haven't said is if the scratching has continued or been solved?

ThisIsWeird

Was any of the poison consumed, can you tell?

ButterCheese

£250 is expensive.  We had the council rat people come out and do the same thing, they charged £80.  I don't think you have much standing given that you accepted the quote (did you get a quote?) or just didn't ask for one.  People like that will take you for a ride if you essentially write an open check before a price is agreed

TELLIT01

Did you get a quote from the company to come out?  If you did, you must have accepted it.  The amount of work they appear to have done makes no difference.  If you didn't get a quote it's still your responsibility.  For a quoted price they have to hedge their bets a bit.  One place may be overrun and another need very little work.  That's just the way it goes.

silvercar

Usually these firms make at least 2 visits, often 3. First to lay traps and advise on access points, then to check traps for signs of visitors. If there have been unwanted guests they would remove the pests and relay traps then return for a third visit to give you the all clear.