What should a bat exclusion contract include?
A list of specific locations to be sealed, the materials for each, where one-way devices go, the minimum device period and how weather is counted, who removes the devices, line-item pricing, warranty length and exclusions, and what is not included such as cleanup or repair.
How long is a typical bat exclusion warranty?
Published agreements commonly run one to five years. Length matters less than what triggers a return visit and what is excluded. A two-year warranty with a no-charge callback for any observed re-entry is more useful than a ten-year warranty that excludes any opening the provider did not personally seal.
Should attic cleanup be in the same contract as exclusion?
It can be, but as its own section with its own price, square footage, method, and timing. Cleanup happens after the exclusion is verified, so the agreement should say that. Some homeowners prefer separate contracts so they can compare cleanup quotes from specialized companies.
Can a provider seal bats in during maternity season?
No, and the agreement should not propose it. Many states restrict exclusion while flightless young are in the roost, roughly late spring through mid or late summer depending on the state. Sealing then traps pups inside, which is illegal in most places.
What if the provider finds more entry points during the work?
The agreement should say how that is handled, usually a stated per-location or per-foot rate with your approval required before the work is done. Avoid an open-ended clause that lets the provider add charges without notice. Ask for photos of any new location before approving it.
Is a verbal promise from the salesperson enforceable?
Treat it as if it is not. If the salesperson said the callback is free, that removal is included, or that the warranty covers the whole roofline, ask for those statements in the written agreement. A provider who meant what they said will add it. Keep the email thread with the revised document.
How much does it cost to remove a large bat colony?
Fixr's August 2022 U.S. bat-removal cost guide estimated large-colony exclusion at $1,000 to $8,000, and that figure excludes inspection ($75–$250 in the same guide) and guano cleanup, which the guide put at $500–$8,400. These are a publisher's estimates from 2022, not observed customer bills, and local quotes vary widely with the building and the sealing needed. Because large colonies are usually maternity roosts, timing matters: ask any provider how they handle the season when pups cannot fly, since exclusion is restricted then in many states.
How much does bat removal cost?
For a small colony, a typical project ran about $500 in Fixr's August 2022 U.S. bat-removal cost guide, which includes an inspection. Fixr's tiered exclusion estimates, which exclude inspection and cleanup, ran from $90–$275 for a single bat up to $1,000–$8,000 for a large colony, with guano cleanup potentially adding $500–$8,400. These are a publisher's estimates from 2022, not observed customer bills, and local quotes vary. Ask providers whether their price covers inspection, exclusion devices, sealing and cleanup, since those are often quoted separately.