Termites? Worse? Carpenter Ants?

Question

Termite Inspection came back positive. Yikes. Around $700, cha-ching. Worse, carpenter ants have done their job on a tree in the back yard that needs to come down. $1500 or much more depending on steps necessary to bring it down without collateral damage. Yeah...

Suggestions? Like experiences?

Thanks folks...

Suggestions?  Like experiences?

Thanks folks...

Chris Buesing · Answer

Thanks Adam Bartomeo.  I guess the tree is the big money issue.

My wife is a realtor.  She had a client who had to deal with a tree once.  They got an estimate from the tree service for $ 1500 to drop the tree and the closing went forward as planned.  Once the owners got around to dropping the tree, she got a call.  "Just wanted to let you know, the bid has missed such and such details, and actually the cost to get the tree down will be 9 K."  So that's some of my trepidation with this scenario.  I see a 'big black  money hole' with the getting the tree down where it is, right next to the house.

Thanks guys...

Chris Buesing · Answer

@Brit FosheeAgreed, that was not my deal.  That was a home buyer.  I just new of that story from my wife.  She says it was actually 19 K, and no, the tree hasn't come down.  I guess shutting down a city block to get equipment in to drop the tree safely without damaging the other houses and power lines was the issue.

Adam Bartomeo · Answer

My understanding is that termites eat the wood but carpenter ants live in the wood.

I have dealt with carpenter ants several times and it has never been a big deal. But, we might have caught it before the colony grew too large. It took a couple of weeks of treatment.

Brit Foshee · Answer

@Chris Buesing

You need a new tree guy. =)

9K is absolutely insane.  I hope you didn't pay that guy that. Did you have a contract ?

Chris Buesing · Answer

In the purchase agreement, supposed to close in about a month.  Yes the tree is infested and compromised.  Also very close to the house and power lines, so that complicates getting it down.

Brit Foshee · Answer

I'm in Florida -We get the ugly, subterranean ones.

Is this a house you already bought ?

That really affects how you go about this.

Taking down a tree because of carpenter ants seems off.  Is the tree compromised ?

Termites? Worse? Carpenter Ants?

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