A termite inspection costs, on average, $139, with a price range of $104 to $174, based on our analysis of 456 quotes from licensed inspectors.
A termite infestation can be incredibly damaging to your home’s condition and value. If you have any reason to suspect you might have termites— or even if you don’t— regular termite inspections are a no-brainer for responsible homeowners or prospective home buyers.
Let’s look at some termite warning signs, the nuts and bolts of what happens during a termite inspection, and what to do if your termite inspection finds signs of an infestation.
What is a termite inspection?
A termite inspection looks for signs of termites — tiny wood-eating insects that can form colonies of up to 1 million termites. If they take up residence in your home, it’s at serious risk of profound damage.
Even a minor infestation can quickly threaten the integrity and stability of your home’s structure. Each year, over 600,000 U.S. homes sustain termite damage.[1] Regular termite inspections can help detect problems before they snowball out of control.
Termite inspections are often required when homes change hands, and are often done after a basic home inspection finds possible warning signs of an infestation. “As an inspector, if I see signs of concern regarding termites, I recommend consulting a specialist,” says Ralph Hassard of New York-based Criterion Home Inspection.
Homeowners should also probably have annual termite inspections done on their homes, especially if they live in a high-risk warm and moist area.
Signs you might need a termite inspection
Call a termite professional immediately if you see any of these signs:
- Damaged wood (crumbling, blistered, waffled, or riddled with holes)
- Wood pellets or shavings
- Hollow sounding wood
- Termite wings inside window frames
- Loose floor tiles (termite penetration lets moisture into your floors and walls)
- Damaged or bubbling paint
- Tiny tunnels or tubes in dirt surrounding your home’s foundation
Many lenders require a termite inspection as a condition of a home sale, so you’ll almost always need to get one when you buy or sell a home.
What happens during a termite inspection?
During a termite inspection, a professional termite inspector will check your home for signs of a termite infestation.
Since termites feed on wood, they’ll closely examine wood-intensive areas of your home like the attic, basement or crawl space, garage, closets, and any other areas with a lot of exposed wood. They’ll also look at the exterior of your home, paying particular attention to exposed wood like fences, window and door frames, and decks.
Typically, a termite inspection takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the size of your home. During the termite inspection, you may see the inspector use tools ranging from a simple flashlight and stethoscope, up to fiber optic cameras, moisture meters, methane detectors, or even specially trained termite-detecting dogs.
After the inspection, the inspector will prepare an inspection report detailing their findings and, if they suspect the presence of termites, makes suggestions for treatments.
What do termite inspections cost?
On average, a termite inspection costs $139, but the total cost can easily exceed that, especially if you have termites. We’ll discuss potential add-ons and upcharges below.
Termite inspection costs vs. other inspections
| Type of inspection | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electrical | $82 |
| Septic tank | $103 |
| Termite | $139 |
| Roof | $157 |
| Home inspection | $298 |
| Foundation | $309 |
| Asbestos | $535 |
| Mold | $727 |
Factors impacting termite inspection costs
The cost of your termite inspection is going to depend on what type of termite inspection you need, and the regulatory obligations you have to meet.
Standard termite inspection ($139)
Some mortgage types require a termite inspection when you’re buying or selling a home, and in some states local regulations specify who has to pay for it.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) loans usually require the seller to pay for the termite inspection, though there are exceptions. The termite inspection may be required if the property is located in a “high risk area.”
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans may require a termite inspection if the home appraiser finds signs of termites.
Follow-up inspections ($75–$150)
If the inspector finds signs of termites, they may need to re-inspect the property after treatment to make sure the pests have been cleared.
Termite clearance letter ($100–$200)
Some types of loans may require a termite clearance letter, especially if the property is in a high-risk area for termites. A termite clearance letter states that a termite inspector has inspected a property, and discloses the findings — including any repairs or treatments.
Some companies will waive the letter fee if you hire them for pest control.
Termite bond ($500–$2,000)
If an inspection discovers termites, the lender may require the buyer to buy a termite bond, which is basically a pre-paid agreement for further inspections and treatments.
Post–termite inspection steps
Once you have your termite inspection report, it’s time to put together a treatment plan. If the inspection found termites in the home you’re about to buy, you could ask the seller to pay for treatments or negotiate a price credit and arrange the treatments yourself. Depending on your lender, you may also need to buy a termite bond.
Don’t panic if the seller refuses to pay for termite treatments — you still have options. What’s most important is to get the termites treated, as even a short delay can result in a lot more damage.
Regarding remediation, you’ll want to work with a professional licensed exterminator on a treatment plan.
If you don’t have a serious infestation, your exterminator will probably opt to use baiting stations. These stations contain termite-killing insecticides and are placed near problem areas.
If you have a serious infestation or the baiting stations don’t work, the exterminator may use a liquid barrier. This is essentially a trench of insecticide around the perimeter of your home; any termites that approach will pass through the liquid and die.
The average cost for a single termite treatment is around $600, but can range up to $8,000 if you need more powerful treatments like fumigation.[2] If you have a serious termite problem, you may need several treatments.
Once you’ve handled your termite problem, get annual termite inspections to ensure you stay clear. Avoid future infestations by keeping:
- Tree branches away from your home, since they can provide a path for more termites
- Organic matter (like mulch, firewood, or leaves) away from your home’s foundation
- Woodpiles off the ground to avoid attracting termites
- Your foundation in good, sealed condition
How to find a termite inspector
Before you search online for a termite inspector, ask people you know and trust if they can refer you to someone they’ve worked with. Friends, family, coworkers, or your real estate agent will often be able to give you a referral.
After you settle on a potential inspector (or three), interview each candidate carefully, asking them about experience and licensing. (Termite inspectors don’t need a license to inspect, but they will need a license to apply pesticides.) Also go online and check their online reviews and ratings.
Get estimates from each candidate to compare prices, but remember that the cheapest rate might mean sacrificing quality.
Key questions to ask your termite inspector
Are you licensed and insured?
While termite inspectors don’t need a license, professionals who apply pesticides do a need a license in most states. If they’re offering both services (as is very common), make sure they’re properly licensed.
When will I receive my inspection report?
Most inspectors will provide a written inspection report in one to three days. You might also ask how it will be delivered — through the mail, or electronically.
Do you also provide control services?
Many termite inspectors also provide pest treatment services. If your inspector doesn’t, you’ll have to find an exterminator to carry out your inspector’s suggestions. Also keep in mind that termite treatments aren’t effective against other pests like roaches, ants, or spiders.
The bottom line
Every homeowner dreads getting bad news from the termite inspector. But there’s good news, too; termites are relatively easy to remediate with the help of a professional exterminator.
But the first step in solving a termite problem is detecting it. That’s where termite inspections come in. If you live in a high risk area for termites, you should have a termite inspection every year. And if you’re doing due diligence on a home purchase, never skip the termite inspection. An uncontrolled termite infestation can cause serious damage to a home in only a few months, so early detection is imperative.
📊 About our data
Our team collected data from thousands of publicly available home inspector quotes and estimates from reputable websites such as Thumbtack and HomeAdvisor. This comprehensive dataset allowed us to calculate the low, average, and high-end costs for various types of home inspections.
For example, for termite inspections, we gathered data from 456 responses nationwide through Thumbtack.
We verified the data to calculate reliable averages. We aim to provide clear and accurate information, helping you make informed decisions about your home inspection needs.