Van Hooser Enterprises

Over the past 4 years, I have used Van Hooser four times: two times to perform a home inspection and to times to perform work warranted based on the home inspection results. While I was pleased with the friendliness of the person performing the work, in both instances I was surprised about the cost, and the inability / unwillingness of this company to satisfactorily explain the basis of those costs.
Details: The work performed last time upon home inspection comprised spraying at 3 different sites, and this work took 7 man hours, counting generously. The invoice agreed upon was $ 1530, and it was my mistake that i did not ask upfront how much time this work would require. The items on the estimate were just listed with a $ amount, no indication on how many hours would be allocated. Once I realized that this job was done in one afternoon by 2 people, I asked Van Hooser to explain in a detailed invoice how this cost was composed. At an hourly rate of $ 100 and a generous allocation of $ 150 for chemicals, I ended up with about $ 850...    ...about half what I was charged. The frustrating thing here was not the total amount to be paid, but the fact that they REALLY did not expalin to me how this sum was composed, and hence I feel severely overcharged. Upon complaining about this situation, they offered to waive the cost of $ 175 for the initial inspection - I had asked for reimbursement of 50% of the amount paid which was not justified based on the hourly rate and the assumed costs for supplies used.
The staff performing the work was friendly, and they explained to me exactly what they did, which just reinforced my impression that this company was over charging in this case, much more than justified by the work being performed. If I assume a generous $ 150 for supplies being used, the hourly rate would amount to almost $ 200, instead of $ 100 quoted.
In summary: They lost me as a customer as they were unable to justify the high cost they had charged for a very minor job.

My interaction with them was fine, and the work was satisfactory. They did what was needed to be done. I did not actually meet them at all or have much contact with them; they came out, did the work and left. I would possibly use them again in the future, but I would look around first.

Things turned out very well. They were prompt and efficient. They were just a little late on the clearing in the end, but someone was sent right over when we called them. Nothing was damaged during the process.

I HAVE NOT FOUND THEIR PROMPTNESS, OR ATTENTION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BE ONE OF THEIR STRONG POINTS. THEIR APPLICATION AND CLEAN UP IS TO MY SATISFACTION.