Termite inspection costs anywhere from $0 to $600, with an average price of $100.
Termite inspections costs $100 on average, but you can expect to spend between $75 to $375 for this crucial service. Keep in mind that many exterminators offer free termite inspections ahead of a treatment, provided it’s not part of a home sale. Let’s review the cost of termite inspections and when to hire a professional termite exterminator.
A termite inspection is an examination of a home performed by a local termite control expert, looking inside and outside the home for signs of an infestation. The professional termite inspector may look in your attic, crawl space, basement, closets, bathrooms, and garage, paying particular attention to any exposed wood in places such as cabinets, baseboards, and door frames. Outside the home, they will also examine cracks in your home exterior and any exposed wood in and around the home, including window frames, wooden fences, and wood piles.
Once you recognize what a termite inspection is, you may wonder if and when you should get one. Generally speaking, most homeowners should get a termite inspection yearly, especially if they live somewhere warm and moist since these areas are at higher risk for infestations.
Aside from yearly inspections, termite inspections are a good idea when you buy a new home. Many states legally require a home seller to pay for a termite inspection before the sale can be completed.
The projected cost of your termite inspection depends on the purpose of the service. Check out common examples and pricing for these termite inspection scenarios.
| Termite Inspection Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Sale | $165 |
| Follow-Up | $75–$150 |
| Commercial | $200–$600 |
| Termite Clearance Letter | $100–$200 |
| Termite Bond | $500–$2,000 |
Conducting a termite inspection before or during the home sale process is typical. Home sale inspections have an average cost of $165. It is worth noting that some states require the seller to pay for this inspection, while other states require the buyer to cover these fees. Check with local regulatory agencies to determine who pays for the termite inspection if the house is sold.
In addition to state and county regulations, certain loan types dictate who pays for termite inspections in the case of a home sale. In some cases, the loan type also impacts the overall cost.
Standard home loan: With your average regular home loan, the state or county may require a termite inspection and who pays for it. In the vast majority of these cases, the seller pays for the inspection.
Veterans Affairs (VA) loans: This loan type typically requires the seller to pay for the inspection at an average cost of $50 to $150. In rare cases, the VA recommends the buyer or the lender pay. The VA requires termite inspections in “high-risk areas” that have had issues in the past.
FHA loan: The Federal Housing Administration abides by the recommendations of the state or lender, though an inspection is required if the home appraiser finds any evidence of an infestation. The buyer is expected to pay $100 to $200 if you need an inspection.
| Loan Type | Who Pays | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard home loan | Seller | Market average |
| Veterans Affairs (VA) loan | Seller | $50–$150 |
| FHA loan | Buyer | $100–$200 |
Most termite inspections are a one-time occurrence. If you require further inspections to ensure the infestation is completely cleared up, expect to pay $75 to $150 for a new inspection —though this may be at a lower rate if performed by the same company that handled the extermination services.
While most termite inspections are not based on the property's size, size does matter when it comes to commercial property inspections, as these jobs require more time and effort. Whether a restaurant, hotel, apartment, complex, duplex, office building or retail store, commercial termite inspections usually cost more than residential inspections at $200 to $600.
A termite clearance letter is not a document stating that a house is free from pests but instead that it has been inspected and what the inspector discovered. If termites previously caused damage to the home, the letter will also describe what repairs were made. Termite clearance letters are required for certain types of loans and may be a condition for some loans for homes in high-risk areas. Some termite inspection companies may waive the fee for the letter if they are hired for pest control services. Otherwise, you can expect to pay $100 to $200 for a termite clearance letter.
When an inspector uncovers termites in a home, many lenders will require potential buyers to secure a termite bond, which can range from $500 to $2,000. This bond is a contract for termite services wherein the company will perform inspections regularly and treat them for free if they are discovered.
Home inspectors are experienced at finding obvious signs of a termite infestation, such as holes in the wood or piles of sawdust, but a termite treatment professional will find hidden holes and warning signs. Several cost factors will impact the overall price of a termite inspection, including the type of inspection and why you need it.
Home inspectors may lack the experience and qualifications to diagnose the presence of termites properly. However, they often partner with professional pest control companies to offer inspection bundles. These bundles include all necessary inspections for a home sale or purchase, including certified pest inspections. Inspection bundles cost $250 to $400 and are a good way to kill two termites with one stone.
A termite clearance letter is the standard report for most lending companies, regardless of whether your home loan is conventional, FHA, or VA. These reports tell the lender that no creepy crawlies are running about your home wreaking havoc. The typical cost of a termite clearance letter is around $150 on average.
You may need to work quickly if your offer is accepted for your future dream home. Some lenders require a report within 30 to 90 days before they can continue with the closing process.
If termites moved into your home before you did, you’ll need a termite bond agreement. This agreement is essentially a game plan to tackle the termites and check to see that they’re staying away from your home. Lenders often require this bond before you can continue with the transaction.
Because this process includes treatment, expect to pay $500 to $2,000 for a termite bond, depending on home size, warranty details, and location. This cost may also be tied into the home’s final cost. This process may save money in the long run, as termite fumigation may cost up to $8,000 for a major infestation.
In many cases, a termite inspection is required as part of a house sale, as many states won’t allow a sale to go through without this step. To ensure you’ve covered your bases, hire a local exterminator.
Termite inspection tends to be a straightforward process, and where you live doesn’t typically affect its cost or process too much. But you are more likely to get termites in warmer areas of the United States. So, if you live in Florida, you have a higher chance of having termites than someone living in Illinois, which will increase the amount spent on termite control.
CL-100 inspections only apply to people living in South Carolina. This report works the same as a termite clearance letter but focuses on all wood-destroying insects and fungi rather than only termites. A CL-100 will cost around $160 on average and is only good for 30 days.
WDO stands for wood-destroying organisms and is broader than the CL-100. Lenders may require these inspections if there’s a history of wood damage in the home, and their scope is not limited to South Carolina. The total cost of a WDO inspection is around $150 on average.
Common WDOs include:
Subterranean termites
Drywood termites
Dampwood termites
Wood-boring beetles
Carpenter bees
Soft rot fungi
Brown (dry) rot fungi
White rot fungi
Termite treatment costs around $600 on average, depending on the size and location of the infestation and the type of termite treatment.
However, termite pest control costs range from $230 to $1,000. Large infestations may require more intensive treatments like fumigation, which will cost significantly more than DIY treatments like gel baiting. Fumigation can range anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000.
If your termite inspection finds a small, minor infestation, ask your pest control pro about DIY treatments like bait systems, termiticides, and other methods.
If you’re searching for termite warning signs, there are plenty to keep in mind. Common signs of termite infestations include:
Detached wings throughout the home
Mud tubes
Hollow-sounding wood
Buckled wood
Termite droppings
Small holes in drywall
Bubbling paint
Any damaged wood throughout the home
A termite colony can find its next smorgasbord in any wooden area in your home, necessitating a spot treatment. Common spaces you should check include:
Deck
Fence
Roof trusses
Home exterior
Shed exterior
Kitchen cabinets
Bathroom cabinets
Wood frame
Insect colonies around the yard
Any trees on the property
The inspector will look throughout the interior and exterior of your home to find signs of termite infestations. These signs may be difficult for homeowners to spot, especially if they have had previous infestations and may not know how to distinguish between new and old termite droppings or tunnels. The inspector may use a probe to look for termite damage in weak-looking areas of the home.
They will also look for potential access points around the home, such as areas where wood makes contact with soil or cracks in your foundation, stucco, paint, or brickwork. They’ll examine these areas for signs of termite activity. If you have any potential access points, they will advise you on how to fix them to prevent future infestations.
Inspections take about 30 minutes to 2 hours. After they are over, the inspector will show what they have observed to the homeowner, if they are present, and put together a formal report with their findings. If you have an infestation, the inspector will typically recommend eliminating it and repairing any resulting damage.
If you’re getting ready for a professional termite inspection, here’s how to prepare:
Clean the exterior of your home.
Trim tree branches and shrubbery near or touching your home.
Avoid creating excess moisture in your home like mopping or taking a hot, steamy shower.
Make sure that the inspector has easy access to all areas of your home, including the attic, basement, and crawl spaces.
Move any clutter, such as boxes or furniture, away from walls so that the inspector can access all areas.
Clear out the cabinets below your sinks.
Take note of any signs of termite damage, such as mud tubes, wood damage, or discarded wings.
If you have had previous termite inspections or treatments, gather any paperwork related to those services.
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This factor depends on your property size and how many wood-adjacent nooks and crannies run throughout it. Generally speaking, these inspections take around 30 to 45 minutes but could extend into an hour or more if there are accessibility concerns or other complications. In the case of a small home, a termite inspection takes 20 to 30 minutes.
It largely depends on local regulations and the type of mortgage loan. In around 60% of cases, the seller pays for a termite inspection. The remaining 40% is split between the buyer and the lender, depending on the above mentioned variables.
These contracts typically last one to three years, though most termite companies allow you to reactivate the bond (for a fee) once the contract has expired. Termite bonds are a fantastic tool in your back pocket, as they eliminate any termite-related treatment costs should you run into an issue during the coverage period.
