The cost to supply and install the box is R930-00. The annual maintenance subscription is R390-00 per year. These annual subs cover re-varnishing, treating of the box with bee-repellent, replacement of pea gravel, box repair where necessary, as well as the ringing and monitoring of chicks in occupied boxes. In addition to the maintenance, the annual subscription also covers the quarterly newsletter covering occupancy rates as well as other interesting owl related information and news about events and our other services.

Joining without an owl box
You can also join the Owl Box Project without having an owl box. This costs R75 per year, and you will receive all the Owl Box Project newsletters and be eligible to attend all the Owl Box events, talks, evenings, walks etc. This is a great way to keep abreast of ecological developments that we are helming and to make a contribution to the Sebokeng and Badipeng educational projects.

Servicing
The owl boxes are constructed from weatherproof plywood (13mm marine ply) and are then sealed with an industrial wood sealant. The thickness of the wood as well as the wood sealant used is designed to give the box an outdoor lifespan of five years. Although the box is of a hardy construction an annual maintenance visit is required to re-varnish, replace pea gravel, check for signs of wear and monitor occupancy. In occupied boxes, the measuring and ringing of young owls is also undertaken during the service.
 

Bees and other invaders

From time to time owl boxes can be inhabited by unwelcome and opportunist inhabitants. These can be swarms of bees, mynah birds, Egyptian geese etc. We do not remove swarms of bees, but we can refer you to our partner who does remove swarms of bees at greatly reduced costs to OBP participants. The OBP member contacts him directly and pays him when he comes to remove the bees. The cost of bee removal is to the account of the OBP participant and is not included in your annual service fee. If you wish to have other non-bee/wasp squatters removed from your box, we suggest you schedule this to coincide with your annual service.

Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions and all the fine print….
When agreeing to become a member of the Owl Box Project you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions: 

1. OWLS: With the exception of specifically designated owl release sites, EcoSolutions does not provide owls for habitation in your owl box. The OBP works on the basis of natural occupancy, by which we mean that we position your box in the best suitable location and hope for owls to take up residency of their own volition. (for more on “natal recognition” please see info document)
    
2. GUARANTEES: EcoSolutions offers no guarantee of occupancy of your owl box by an owl. (or, similarly, of your bat box by bats) We do guarantee that if we install the box, we will place it in the best possible place to maximise your chances of owl/bat occupancy. However, the nature of Nature is such that we cannot force its hand. Sometimes occupancy can be swift, sometimes it can take its time; what we do guarantee is that we will provide you (and your prospective owl residents) with the best box possible in the best place possible for natural occupancy.
3. SQUATTERS: From time to time owl boxes can be inhabited by unwelcome and opportunist inhabitants. These can be swarms of bees, mynah birds, Egyptian geese etc. We do not remove swarms of bees, but we can refer you to our partner who does remove swarms of bees at greatly reduced costs to OBP participants. The OBP member contacts him directly and pays him when he comes to remove the bees. The cost of bee removal is to the account of the OBP participant and is not included in your annual service fee. If you wish to have other non-bee/wasp squatters removed from your box, we suggest you schedule this to coincide with your annual service (R390 in 2008 / 2009)
4. SERVICING: The annual servicing is the responsibility of the participant. Annual services are charged at the annual rate for that particular year and during the service EcoSolutions will check the box, treat the box and move/replace the box as deemed appropriate by EcoSolutions during the service. We cannot service boxes that have hives in them but we can service your box once the bees have been removed, if applicable. We can accept no responsibility for boxes that have not been serviced on an annual basis.
   
   
   We do not service boxes that were not sourced from EcoSolutions
5. REPLACEMENT BOXES: The replacement of boxes can be done during annual services and is done so at the sole discretion of EcoSolutions. In this instance, the replacement box is included in the service fee. If, however, the box is replaced solely at the behest of the OBP participant, the box will be charged at the current rate for a box of its type.
6. MOVING & REMOVING: If you wish to move your box to another location, or if you wish to take down your box for any reason, we can do so at the standard Service fee/Callout rate (R390 in 2008 / 2009)
7. SELF INSTALLATION: Customers who choose to purchase an owl box (or any of our other products) and erect it themselves have not signed up to the Owl Box Project, per se, and therefore do not receive the benefits accorded members of the OBP. We will, however, offer advice on where to place the box at the time of delivery and how best to affix it.
8. REFUNDS: Sorry, we do not offer refunds.
9. PAYMENT TERMS: EcoSolutions does not offer terms for payment. Payment may be made in cash, or by cheque or internet transfer and is due by the day of installation. Our banking details are as follows:
   
   
   EcoSolutions

   Nedbank Northgate

   Savings acc no: 2698 040 661

   Branch code: 169805 
   
   Cheques may be made payable to EcoSolutions
    

   We are not VAT registered.

10. NEWSLETTERS & PRIVACY: We send newsletters on a quarterly basis to all OBP participants, affiliates and schools. From time to time we also send other correspondence that we feel may be of interest to our members. All correspondence is sent by email only. We are an ecologically-aware organisation and, as such, we are (as far as possible) a paper-free company. If you do not wish to receive newsletters and other project updates, you may tell us at the time of installation or opt out by email upon receipt of your first correspondence.