12 OYS: Exterminator moonlighting as handyman, fired

News 12 at 6 o'clock / December 30, 2014

MCDUFFIE COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW) -- Virginia Hurd planned to fix her home in time for winter. "I was looking for somebody to do some repair work," said Hurd.

So when she found a business card for Mr. Handyman inside a Terminix bag on her front door she called the number. Hurd said, owner James Hand told her he was up for the job and had actually done work for her in the past. "And that he does repair work for Terminix when there's termite damage," said Hurd.

She said she agreed to have Hand, write a contract to install wood and plastic around her screened in porch, install gates on her deck, and underpinning underneath her home. The completed job would cost $1,250. "When I'd come home in the evening, he'd be out there. He'd have his Terminix truck backed into my front yard and he'd be working out of it," said Hurd.

She said in the end, the work was shoddy. Hurd said she tried for weeks to get Hand to handle the problem, with no luck. "I told him that if he didn't get in touch with me I was going to call 12 On Your Side," said Hurd.

But first, Hurd said she contacted his full time employer, Terminix. We did too.

In a statement, Terminix says: All employees of Terminix Service, Inc. sign an agreement stating that he will not 1) during recognized business hours, or at any other time, perform services for any person, firm, or corporation not authorized by the Company during the term of his employment; and 2) not either directly or indirectly solicit work for or accept business from any customer of the Company either for himself or for others during employment with the Company. While we cannot discuss specific personnel issues, the employee in question is no longer employed by our franchise. We apologize for the inconvenience this presented to Ms. Hurd. She is a long-standing customer of Terminix, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to her and our other valued customers.

Hand called Hurd while we were there. "He (Hand) called and he said he just got fired, and he'd be over here this afternoon because he wants to make it all right," said Hurd.

This afternoon we did reach Hand by phone. He admitted he worked for Terminix, but did contracting jobs on the side. He also said, This had nothing to do with Terminix. I blame News 12 for getting me fired."

Meanwhile, Hurd admits she made some mistakes, like not getting a contract with company letterhead or even a signature from Hand. In the end, she said she did what she had to do. "I didn't want him to get fired, so I do feel bad about that, but he brought it on himself," said Hurd.

Go here to read the rest:
12 OYS: Exterminator moonlighting as handyman, fired