How much does a termite inspection cost?
Updated
Short answer
A termite inspection costs $0 to $150 and takes 30 to 60 minutes. Many pest companies inspect for free, hoping to sell a treatment or a yearly bond if they find anything. A paid inspection, from a company that isn't selling the treatment, is the one to buy for a sale or a second opinion. Either way it's a yearly cost, and a yearly look is what keeps a colony from eating a sill plate unnoticed. There's no DIY version, since the signs are subtle and the inspector knows where to look.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | not recommended | included |
| Labor | not recommended | $0 to $150 |
| Total | not recommended | $0 to $150 |
The DIY column is the look you can take between inspections, which costs nothing. The pro column is the inspection, which covers the foundation, the crawl space or basement, the attic, and the wood around the house, with a report of any activity, damage or conditions that invite termites.
What drives the cost
- Who inspects. A pest company that sells treatments inspects free. An independent inspector, or one doing a wood-destroying-organism report for a sale, charges the fee.
- The reason. A routine look is the low end. A report for a mortgage or a sale has to meet the lender's form and costs the most.
- The house. A house on a slab with easy access is quick. A crawl space, a finished basement or heavy landscaping against the foundation takes longer.
- A bond. Many companies sell a yearly termite bond that includes the inspection and covers treatment if termites appear. Its price is more than the inspection and less than a treatment.
- What's found. A treatment, whether a liquid barrier or a bait system, is a separate and much larger cost, and it's where the free inspection pays off for the company.
DIY vs. pro
This is a pro-recommended job, and the only choice is free or paid. How often to have a termite inspection is once a year in most of the country, and every 2 to 3 years in a cold northern climate. A free inspection from a reputable pest company is fine for the yearly look, as long as you treat a finding as a quote rather than a verdict.
Pay the $0 to $150 for an independent inspection when buying a house, when a free inspection found something and the treatment quote is large, or when a house has a termite history. What's yours to do between inspections costs nothing: keep mulch and soil off the siding, keep firewood away from the house, fix leaks and wet spots, and look for mud tubes on the foundation in spring.
FAQ
How much does a termite inspection cost?
$0 to $150. Many pest companies inspect free in the hope of selling a treatment, and an independent inspection or a report for a sale costs the fee.
Is a free termite inspection a good idea?
For the yearly look, yes, from a reputable company. If they find something, get a second opinion before paying for a treatment.
How much does termite treatment cost?
Far more than the inspection, and it's a separate quote. A yearly bond spreads the risk, and its price sits between the inspection and a treatment.
How often should I have a termite inspection?
Once a year, and every 2 to 3 years in a cold northern climate where termites are less active.