How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost?
A termite inspection costs between $50 and $300 on average, but you could get a free inspection from some of the top-rated companies. Check out our list!
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A termite inspection costs between $50 and $300 on average, with the national average cost around $100. But some companies will offer a free inspection if it’s not associated with a home sale.
Homeownership is a wonderful thing—until the termites move in. Termite infestations are incredibly common in the U.S., particularly in humid areas of the Southern states, and they can cost an average of $3,000 or more in damages. A termite inspection can help you identify an infestation if you suspect it, but it’s also a requirement in some areas if you want to sell your home.
Luckily, a termite inspection isn’t always expensive—and it’s always cheaper than the potential damage an infestation could cause. Here to help you estimate the cost of a termite inspection is
Jerry
, the trusted insurance comparison app
that helps homeowners save on home insurance costs
. How much does a termite inspection cost?
The national average cost of a termite inspection is $100, but your bill could be as high as $300—or you might be able to get the inspection for as little as $50, or even for free. Here’s what affects the cost of your inspection:
- Home value: Inspectors will base the cost of your inspection in part on the size and overall value of your home.
- Real estate transactions: You’ll pay more for your inspection if it’s part of a real estate transaction—but if you’re just getting an inspection because you think you might have an infestation, some companies offer free inspections as an incentive to earn your business.
If you’re getting a termite inspection in preparation for selling your home, there are some additional costs you’ll need to factor in:
Type of inspection | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
Termite inspection for home purchase | $50 to $350 | |
Termite letter/report | Some states require a termite inspection report before a home sale. If termites are found in the inspection, the cost of the report may be waived. | $100 to $200 |
Termite bond | Lenders will require a termite bond agreement if termites are discovered in your home before the sale. This agreement lays out the terms for treatment, and the costs will depend on the extent of damage. | $500 to $2,000 |
CL-100 | Valid for 30 days, the South Carolina Wood Infestation Report (CL-100) is required for all real estate transactions. | $70 to $225 |
VA or FHA loan | In most states, VA loans require a termite inspection, paid for by the seller, before a home sale can be finalized. FHA inspection requirements vary from state to state. | $50 to $150 |
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A regular home inspection typically won’t include a termite inspection, so prepare to add the cost of a termite inspection or a WDO (wood-destroying organism) infestation to your overall costs. Keep in mind that these costs are for residential properties only—for commercial properties, you can expect to pay a lot more.
Don’t skip out on the termite inspection to try to save money. A home with termite damage could lose an average of 25% of its value if you don’t inspect and treat the infestation before the sale.
Do I need a termite inspection?
A termite inspection is a good idea before any real estate transaction, but it may be a requirement depending on your location and the circumstances of the transaction. In South Carolina, for instance, a
CL-100 Wood Infestation Report
is a requirement for any home sale—but in other states, you may only need an inspection if a VA loan is involved. Your real estate agent should be able to walk you through the regulations in your area, but we’ll go over the national guidelines for VA and FHA loans.
States where a termite inspection is required for a VA loan
In the following states, a termite inspection is absolutely necessary for any home sale with a
VA loan
: Note that these states are mainly in the southern part of the country. In
Alaska
, Colorado
, Idaho
, Maine
, Minnesota
, Montana
, North Dakota
, Oregon
, South Dakota
, and Washington
, a termite inspection is not required—and in the remaining states, the regulations vary based on your county: In most states, the cost of termite inspections must be covered by the seller. Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas are the only states where a home buyer is permitted to pay for the pest inspection process for a VA loan.
Termite inspection for an FHA loan
If you’re buying a house with a FHA loan, a termite inspection might be necessary if there is an active infestation or if the lender requires it.
You’re most likely to need a termite inspection for an FHA loan if the home you’re buying is located in a high-risk area. You can use Orkin’s map of
Termite Infestation Probability Zones (TIP zones)
to determine whether you’re in a high-risk area. RECOMMENDED
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Signs of a termite infestation
Outside of home sales, an annual termite inspection is a good way to avoid an expensive infestation. It’s generally recommended to get your home inspected once a year if you live in a high-risk area, and every two years if you’re in an area with low or slight risks.
- Damaged wood: Termites’ #1 favorite activity is munching on wood, so any weak or hollow wood in your home is a strong sign of termite presence.
- Bubbling or cracked paint: Is it water damage, or is it an infestation?
- Mud tubes: Look for these worm-like tunnels near the foundation of your home.
- Tiny holes in drywall: If termites are going to town on your walls, you’re likely to see pinprick-sized holes where they’ve burrowed in.
- Termite droppings: Also called frass, you might mistake these for wood shavings.
- Discarded wings: Look out for wings on windowsills.
- Clicking sounds in the walls: This soft, sinister sound might be an indication of a major infestation.
DIY treatments like termite bait and insecticide can help to prevent an infestation, but if you’re seeing any of the above signs of an active termite problem, it’s time to call a professional pest control service. They’ll be able to identify the type of termite you’re dealing with—yes, there are different types of termite—and create a treatment plan to eradicate them safely and quickly.
Here are the three types of termites that might be affecting your home:
- Subterranean termites are the most common type. They’ll build nests under your home and burrow between the woody structure to the depths below.
- Drywood termites do exactly what their name implies—they eat dry wood, particularly in attics and other dry places.
- Dampwood termites love wood piles, new homes, and other moist areas.
Termites aren’t the only wood-destroying insects that could be attacking your home, either—look out for carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and other pests in your crawl space, subfloors, porch, and deck!
Termite treatment costs
Termite treatment costs average between$300 and $800, but depending on the extent of the infestation and the size of your home, the total cost could soar to over $2,000!
If you’re able to catch termite activity early, your costs are likely to be lower. But a serious infestation that’s caused extensive structural damage will be much more expensive to deal with, since you’ll need to add building repairs to the cost of the termite extermination. That’s why preventive measures like an annual inspection are so important.
A few low-cost methods of termite prevention include:
- Checking regularly for plumbing leaks
- Cleaning out gutters and drain spouts to avoid standing water
- Stacking firewood at a safe distance from the main structure
- Eliminating ground-to-wood contact wherever possible
- Conducting annual home inspections
While termite protection can be a time-consuming and sometimes costly process, that inspection fee is much lower than the fumigation costs you could face if you don’t bring in a professional home inspector.
The best pest control companies for a termite inspection
Whether you need an inspection report for a home sale or a full-scale fumigation treatment, these are some of the top-rated termite control companies.
- Orkin(BBB rating A+): This national company has a money-back guarantee as well as a re-treatment guarantee if you’re not satisfied—but their costs are higher than small companies.
- HomeTeam Pest Defense(BBB rating A+): The third-largest pest control company after Orkin and Terminix, they offer a retreatment guarantee.
- Ehrlich(BBB rating A+): This nationwide company’s expertise extends well beyond termites, so they’re a good bet if you need other pest control services.
- Arrow Exterminators(BBB rating A+): This regional family-owned company serves the southern US and deals with a wide range of pest and wildlife control.
- Western Pest Services(BBB rating A+): Serving the mid- and North Atlantic region, this company backs its work with a money-back guarantee.
- Truly Nolen(BBB rating A+):If you’re looking for a budget exterminator, this family-owned company is a great alternative to the big-name companies.
Every company on this list offers free termite inspections to customers not getting an inspection as part of a home sale.
How to save on homeowners insurance
A termite inspection can cost a lot, but it’s worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is protected. Another easy way to lock in peace of mind is by saving on homeowners insurance with
Jerry
. In just 45 seconds, Jerry can tell you whether you’re overpaying for
home insurance
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