Should I trust an agents referral to a termite company for inspection?

[luv_it_here]

If you call almost any real estate office near where you're buying, and just ask them for a recommendation of a termite company, they are usually more than happy to provide the names & numbers of companies they use most frequently. That usually means the companies are reliable and reasonably priced - otherwise, buyers would start to complain, and if there were issues, companies would be going out of business. If the termite inspection comes with a warranty, that's a good thing.

If you're worried, ask questions ahead of time. Ask if they're licensed. Ask what the steps would be if you had a problem with the results of their inspection. (where they are licensed through, who you complain to, small claims court vs. aribitration, etc.) Ask what areas of the home are normally inspected, and how. (do they just check outside, inside, do they inspect crawlspaces, attic eaves, etc.)

A good inspection company will have no problem giving you the rundown of the service they provide, what you should expect, and what recourse you would have if a problem occurred later. If they don't want to talk about problems, disputes, or blow you off with a "we've never had anyone complain before" then I'd be suspicious.

And, don't forget to check them out with the better business bureau - that's always a good idea, no matter what you're hiring a contractor for!