By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
When Wayne Hemmerly, co-founder of Crown Service Termite And Pest Control mentions February 5, 2018, he becomes just shy of a chuckle that rings with triumph. February 5 was the day that Wayne and his business partner, Stephen Corbett, launched their company debt free but with virtually nothing. Five years later, they have now taken care of more than 10,000 situations which demand their pest control expertise, particularly as it relates to termites.
Between them, Stephen and Wayne have had several fascinating careers, including construction, real estate, executive protection of executives and celebrities, the entertainment business, farming, and big-box pest control. In addition, Stephen is a champion sporting clays shooter. They specialize in inspections and providing termite letters, the document that must be submitted that attests to whether or not a property that is for sale is free of termites, and what must have cleared before a commercial or residential business closes for sale.
I recently had Wayne on my radio show, and he told a story I never get tired of hearing because it underscores the kinds of opportunities that are still available in America if you are willing to work hard. Wayne talked about the fact that on that first day of business in 2018, they emerged with the promise of more business in the form of providing termite letters. On day two, Stephen found a termite rig and borrowed a truck from his father-in-law, and by Friday they applied a termite treatment. At first, Wayne did the inspections, Stephen did the applications, and Susan Hemmerly, Wayne’s wife, would come and do invoices and the books after she got off from her other job. Harrison, Wayne’s son, was their first part-time employee. Since then, their team has grown. It includes Bella LaFontaine, who is the office manager, several pest inspectors and techs, and the newest addition to the Crown crew, Kim Holladay.
Kim is the receptionist and handles customer service. “We have known her for years, and she knows the industry. We are so glad to have her,” Wayne said with conviction.
They outgrew their second location, and last August were able to purchase their own facility. Wayne said, “There’s more parking, more room, office space and storage. Most of all, it’s ours!”
There are a number of reasons that you should choose Crown Service for your pest control needs. First of all, Wayne makes sure that the inspections are careful and the quotes are custom. You don’t just call up and get a computer-realized estimate which is completed sight unseen at their office; they come to you and discuss your options first, and the inspection is free as well as without obligation. Bella keeps the customers in her cell phone and is available to make sure that they get what they need. Stephen sees to it that the work is performed as promised. Because they don’t have as much overhead as a national chain, they are able to give better prices. They use the exact same chemicals as the chain services, and as Wayne says, “Our big difference is pricing and service.”
They may concentrate on termite letters and termite treatment, but Wayne has a list of favorites he likes to go after. First up is fungus. “There is a lot of confusion these days between mold and wood-decaying fungus,” he said, and people are at times getting treatments that are not necessary. Second up — termites. Wayne gets a great deal of satisfaction getting rid of those critters so houses can pass inspections, and keeping them gone with ongoing protection plans that are thorough and affordable. Next in line is the category of pests. Ants, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, rats, mice, wasps, fleas, crickets, brown recluses, bed bugs, and earwigs don’t stand a chance. Most recently they added mosquito control, although as Bella said recently at our BNI meeting, “We won’t get your cat that is stuck in your duct work. Someone else will have to do that!”
Crown Service will also do crawl space moisture management, deal with rot and damage, install appropriate vapor barriers, and provide you as a homeowner with that most important thing: peace of mind. Wayne says, “We have a goal, and that is to treat each home as though it belongs to our grandparents.” Let someone who has a heart to protect take care of your most precious possession, your home, and get a no-obligation inspection today.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
April 19, 2024
