I worked on another home damaged by termites recently. Unfortunately, termites are one of the realities of living in Mid-Michigan. They can get into your house and do damage for months or even years before you notice. Thankfully, the area effected in this home was relatively small. Even though the damage was bad, I was able to save a lot of the wood.

Once again, this customer had been told major demolition would have to be done, then called me for a second opinion. I work with craftsmen and experts and as a finish carpenter myself, I can confidently give an estimate that saves much of that trouble for the homeowner; something that saves them money too.

With that said, since we’ve been talking a lot about termites here lately, I thought I’d talk about my approach to dealing with them.

The first thing is you do is let the pros come in and kill the termites. Exterminators are another trade that I work frequently and I always recommend the people who do it right and get rid of the bugs the first time.

Next, I inspect the damage. I get into every affected area and determine how each and every board was effected. Some wood has superficial damage and can be saved. Some has to be removed. Be wary of a contractor who blindly says you need to do a full demolition. They may be seeking easy money. For me, I’d rather put in the effort of earning your future business.

“I get into every effected area and determine how each and every board was effected. Some wood has superficial damage and can be saved. Some has to be removed.”

The photos tell that story and the story of how we did the re-framing, then the put new drywall in place, then painted and even did the carpet on the stairs.

Please, if you suspect you have termites or want a second opinion, call me at (517) 819-0429 or email me at zischkebuilders@gmail.com and get a free estimate. I can help you find an exterminator and give you an honest estimate and a path out of trouble!