When you buy a house or even when you have an existing house, termites can cause severe structural damage if left untreated. But you can only treat a termite infestation when you've inspected the extent of the damage left behind by termites. Which leads us to the question, how much does a termite inspection cost?
In this article, I will explain everything you should know before you opt for a termite infestation, including how much it costs when you should consider an inspection and the other aspects of inspecting your home for termites. So, keep reading!
What Are The Signs Of A Termite Infestation?
There are a few commonly observed signs of a termite infestation in your home. If you see even one of the following, you should call a professional to inspect for termites:
- You might find termite wings that have fallen off from their bodies around the house.
- Your furniture could have worm-shaped holes in them caused by termites chewing their way through.
- Your wood might sound hollow when you knock on it. This is the result of empty spaces in the wooden structure.
- Your doors and windows may not shut properly due to termites having damaged the frames.
- There might be damage to the layers of paint on your walls and your furniture.
- Spotting termites flying about your house is another sign of an infestation.
- Another fairly common sign of a termite infestation is vinyl damage. Termites will eat the cellulose in the vinyl, which can leave white marks that are translucent. Yellow and green stains are usually not caused by pests, so it is important to be able to identify the signs of an infestation.
Where Do Termite Inspectors Look For Damage?
When termites are spotted, it is important to get a professional inspection. This is because the damage that they cause can be extensive and expensive to repair.
Where Wood Touches Wet Soil
A termite inspector will look for areas where there may be dry rot, wood-to-soil contact, and other signs of termite activity.
On The Outside Structures Of Your Home
The termite inspector will also look for evidence of termites on the exterior of the home as well as inspect the foundation, decks, fences, porches, and other areas around the home.
Wooden Furniture
Wood can fall prey to termites very easily. Therefore, termite inspectors will also examine all your wooden furniture for hollowness and holes in them. He will also check your doors and windows for signs of termite damage. The presence of it would indicate a termite infestation.
How Does Termite Inspection Pricing Work?
Termite inspection pricing can vary depending on a number of factors. The most important factor is the location of the property. Generally, if you request an inspection, it means that you have noticed something that has led you to believe that there might be termites present in your home.
Termite inspection prices in rural areas are likely to be cheaper than in urban areas, for example. The size of the property can also affect the price. Larger properties will generally cost more to inspect than smaller ones.
Some companies may offer a free inspection to new customers or waive the small fee if the customer also agrees to have a termite treatment plan from that company. The overall cost of a termite inspection generally ranges from $50-$200 but can be more depending on the size and location of the property.
How Much Does A Termite Inspection Cost While Buying A Property Or A Home?
A termite inspection is an important part of buying a property or home. It is highly recommended that you get a termite inspection before purchasing any property, as it can help you avoid costly damage in the future. How much does a termite inspection cost? The average cost for a home inspection service is $250 to $400.
Having said that, the cost of a termite inspection can vary depending on a number of factors. The size of the home that is being inspected, the presence of other structures on the property, and whether or not a wood-destroying organisms (WDO) report is needed all play into the final cost. Generally, smaller homes will have a lower cost than larger homes, and properties with additional structures will be more expensive to inspect.
Who Generally Bears The Cost Of A Termite Inspection?
For most real estate deals, the seller of the property foots the cost of a termite inspection as part of the due diligence he needs to do while making a sale. However, there are times when the cost is borne by the lending agent for the purchaser.
The cost is meant to cover both an inspection of termites and an inspection for wood-destroying organisms or insects!
What Is A Termite Inspection Report Or A Clearance Letter?
A Termite Inspection Report is a document that is created following an inspection of a property for termites. The report will list any evidence of termite activity found on the property and can also include recommendations for treatment if necessary. A Termite Clearance Letter is a report produced by a registered pest management agency that certifies if the property is clear of active termites after an inspection.
The letter will list all damages done by termites as well as repairs that were done to fix the damage. In addition, it will also provide a clearance letter that confirms that the property is now free of any active termites.
Now, bear in mind that this is a document that is required by the buyer's lender, particularly FHA and VA lenders. Therefore, you will have to invest some money into getting a termite inspection report!
How Much Does A Termite Inspection Report Cost?
Getting the inspection report is not a free endeavor either. The average cost for a termite inspection report is $100 to $200, but the price may vary depending on the size and location of your home.
That said, most pest control companies offer a free termite inspection report, and they might waive the cost of the letter if termites are found. If you're interested in hiring a pest control company to treat your home for termites, be sure to ask about their inspection process and what services they offer.
In addition, termite clearance letters are only valid for a certain amount of time. This means that you need to get the inspection done as soon as possible to avoid any penalties.
How Much Does A Termite Bond Cost?
Before I answer the above question, I should probably tell you what a termite bond is. A termite bond is a warranty that stipulates that if termites are found on the property during the inspection, the company will treat and/or repair the damage at no additional cost to the homeowner.
The cost of a termite bond ranges from $500 to $2,000, depending on the size and location of the property. If a home inspector happens to discover a termite problem, buyers, as well as lenders, will usually require the owners to purchase a termite bond.
Any damage caused by subsequent termite infestations should be addressed in the contract. Not all homes qualify for the additional expense of a repair bond.
Buyers and lenders may seek a termite bond from sellers if a house inspection reveals a problem with the pests. A termite bond can also help you get an FHA or VA loan.
How Much Does A CL-100 Inspection Cost?
A CL-100 inspection, also known as a WDIIR or NPMA-33, is a report that is generated when a termite inspector looks for evidence of termites in a structure. Officially, it is referred to as the South Carolina Wood Infestation Report.
The cost of this inspection will vary depending on the company you hire and the size of the property but generally ranges from $70 to $220. However, it is important to have this inspection done regularly to ensure your home remains free of termites.
How Much Does A Wood-Destroying Organism (Wdo) Inspection Cost?
A WDO inspection is an examination of a structure for the presence of wood-destroying organisms. The inspection looks for subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites, as well as any other wood-infesting pests.
The average cost of a WDO inspection, which is also referred to as a wood=destroying organism inspection, is $50 to $225. The cost can vary depending on the size of the home, the location of the home, and the company performing the inspection.
What Is The Cost Of A Pest Inspection For A VA Loan?
A pest inspection is a required part of the VA loan process, especially if you are in an area that has heavy or even moderate termite activity. The inspection must be done within 90 days of closing. The cost of the inspection will vary depending on the size and location of the property, but it typically costs between $50 and $200.
However, it is important to remember that having a termite inspection done is an important step in protecting your home from these pests. You can check the VA termite inspection requirements by state or ask your VA lender for more details regarding further requirements for this process.
Should You Opt For An Annual Termite Inspection Or A One-Time Inspection To Save Money?
The average cost of pest control, which includes termite inspections, is about $100 to $300 per quarter. This means that it may be more economical in the long run to opt for a one-time inspection rather than an annual inspection. However, it is important to weigh the potential risks and benefits of each option before making a decision.
In contrast, a one-time termite inspection would cost anywhere between $50 and $350. However, paying a one-time cost of that amount is likely to save you money in the long run. But the disadvantage is that you'd end up neglecting the possibility of termites in your house. And ultimately, that could lead to more expensive structural repairs for your house.
Ideally, you should have your house inspected for pests and termites at least once every other year or every year if your house is prone to developing pest infestations. In this way, you will be able to ward off severe damage to your property in the long run.
What Are The Risks Of Termite Treatment?
Termite treatment is the process of eliminating an infestation of termites. This can be done through a variety of methods, including liquid chemical treatments and heat treatments. While termite treatment can help protect your home from these pests, it is important to understand what risks they could pose for you!
Chemical barriers and heat treatments are two of the most common ways to treat termites. However, both of these methods have risks associated with them. For example, if a chemical barrier is not applied correctly, it can leave untreated termites in the home. These untreated termites can then lead to future infestations.
In addition, fumigation treatments typically treat the house where the termites are found. If there is an infestation of subterranean termites in the soil outside of the home, it will not be treated with fumigation, and the homeowner will need to have a separate treatment for that.
What Should You Expect From A Termite Pest Inspection And The Termite Inspector After Paying Its Cost For Your House?
When you pay for a termite pest inspection, you should expect to receive a detailed report of the past and present termite presence and damage. The inspector will also provide you with a treatment plan that will help stop any current infestation and prevent future infestations.
If repairs are needed to prevent termites, the inspector will identify those areas. You should also expect to have an annual termite inspection if you have a service agreement with your pest control company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a proper termite inspection report can cost around $250 to $400. But, depending on how large your home or property is, it could go higher or lower. While you're probably thinking, "that's $400 down the drain", I can assure you that it's an investment to prevent further costs and expenditure that you might have to pour into the repair of your home's structure!
FAQs
How Much Are Termite Inspections Going To Cost Me?
Termite inspections generally cost around $250 to $400. However, that amount is only an average. You might have to pay less or more depending on how large the property that you want to be inspected is.
Further, depending on how bad the damage caused by the termites is, you will have to spend more on getting all that damage repaired!
How Long Do Termite Inspections Usually Take?
Most termite inspections take roughly 3/4th of an hour. They could take as much as up to two hours of your day. Get in touch with a good pest control service provider and furnish them with the details of your home and how large it is to get a more accurate estimate of how long a thorough termite inspection will take!
What Is The Termite Home Inspection Cost Near Me If I Live In Texas?
Since Texas is known to experience heavy termite activity, you might have to bear a higher termite home inspection cost if your property is located there. In general, termite inspections cost around $250 to $400, but the rates can go as high as $500 in Texas!
