Discovering termites in your home is a nightmare, but an inspection can confirm the problem early and help you plan the right treatment before it’s too late. A termite inspection costs, on average, $85 to $277 as part of a home sale.
Prices may vary based on several factors, including the type of inspection, the size of your home, and whether you need official reports for real estate or refinancing purposes.
In this guide, we’ve gathered data from both large cities and smaller towns across the U.S. to give you a clearer idea of what you might expect to pay for a termite inspection in your area. We’ve also included a personal experience to help you make a decision.
Cost by Location
Costs associated with termite inspection might change depending on where in the country you live. Inspection costs might vary depending on fuel costs, labor costs, and state taxes. Furthermore, there are variations in the testing requirements among states.
The table below offers a snapshot of the costs to test a house for termites across the country:
| City | Average Cost |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Scranton, PA | $77 – $261 |
| Baltimore, MD | $84 – $282 |
| Newark, NJ | $107 – $326 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Charlotte, NC | $74 – $221 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | $74 – $258 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80 – $255 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $77 – $246 |
| Waukesha, WI | $87 – $290 |
| Chicago, IL | $102 – $322 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Corvallis, OR | $80 – $272 |
| Seattle, WA | $90 – $301 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Houston, TX | $75 – $251 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $86 – $293 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $91 – $303 |
Note: Some companies might offer a free termite inspection if it’s not linked to a real estate deal, bringing the lowest possible cost to $0.
Cost by Home Size
A crucial factor that determines the cost of a termite inspection is the size and layout of your home. The scale and layout of your property play a significant role in how much you’ll need to invest in a termite inspection.
- Small homes take less time to inspect as there are fewer places for termites to hide. With fewer nooks and crannies, a smaller area to cover, and simpler structure, the cost for inspecting these homes is often on the lower end of the spectrum.
- Larger homes, like those spanning two or three stories and including features like attics, basements, garages, and intricate layouts, the cost of a termite inspection will be higher. These properties present more challenges for inspectors due to the number of potential termite hideouts and the greater area that needs to be checked.
Cost by Type of Inspection
Another key aspect that influences the cost of termite inspections is the type of inspection being conducted. Each type of inspection will have a different level of detail, impacting the prices:
| Type of Inspection | Average Cost |
| Preventative inspection | $0 – $237 |
| Real estate inspection | $85 – $277 |
| Inspection bundles | $250 – $450 |
- Preventative inspections: Some pest control companies may waive the inspection fee. These are generally basic inspections aimed at early termite prevention and detection. If termites are found during these inspections, the cost of the inspection can also be negotiated to be subtracted from the total cost of the termite treatment.
- Real estate termite inspections: These inspections are more detailed and critical to the real estate process, ensuring that the buyer is fully aware of the property’s condition. Due to their detailed nature and the necessity in real estate transactions, these inspections can be more expensive.
- Inspection bundles: This is where home inspectors collaborate with pest inspectors to offer a comprehensive inspection package. While this bundled service provides an extensive overview of both the structural and pest-related conditions of a property, it generally comes at a higher price compared to standalone termite inspections.
Cost by Home Loan Type
One factor that can affect how much you pay for a termite inspection is the type of home loan you’re working with. Different loans have different requirements and norms, so the costs can vary:
| Type of Loan | Average Cost |
| VA Loans | $50 – $150 |
| FHA Loans | $100 – $200 |
- If you’re going with a VA loan (Veterans Affairs loan), the costs range between $50 and $150. The unique thing about VA loans is that it’s usually the seller who foots the bill for this inspection, although this can be negotiated between the seller and the buyer.
- For those opting for FHA loans (Federal Housing Administration loans), termite inspections fall in the range of $100 to $200. Unlike VA loans, with FHA loans, it’s typically the buyer who’s responsible for the inspection cost.
Cost of a Termite Inspection Report
A termite inspection report is a formal letter prepared by a certified pest control professional. It provides a detailed statement confirming your home is free from active termite infestations. This report is particularly important for those involved in real estate transactions, especially when dealing with FHA and VA loans.
Typically, these reports are valid for either 30 or 90 days, depending on the type of report. On average, a termite letter costs $100 to $200.
We understand that there is a lot of confusion regarding the many acronyms in termite inspection. So, here are the most common ones, and how they relate to termite letters:
- NPMA-33 is the National Pest Management Association form, also known as the “Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report” (WDI or WDIIR). It is the standard form used by termite inspectors across the country to state whether there are wood-destroying insects, such as termites, beetles, carpenter ants, or bees, in your home. It provides the findings and recommendations to resolve issues.
- CL-100: The South Carolina Wood Infestation Report or CL-100 is only valid for 30 days following the inspection, and it is limited to South Carolina. It states that your home is free of active termite infestation and wood-destroying fungi. It costs, on average, $154.
- WDO stands for Wood Destroying Organisms inspection. This inspection report includes carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood-boring beetles, and wood-destroying fungi. It is valid for 90 days, and it might be mandatory if the home has a history of wood damage. They cost around $146.
Cost of Termite Bond
A termite bond is an agreement with a pest control company that includes regular termite inspections and treatment as needed. It’s like having insurance against termite infestations, ensuring that your home remains safe and sound over the years.
This bond is not just a one-time deal; it’s an ongoing protection plan that continually keeps an eye out for termites.The cost of a termite bond can vary widely, generally falling between $500 and $2,000.
Tip: If you sell your home and there’s an existing termite bond in place, it can often be transferred to the new homeowner. This can help add value to your property.
Why We Chose to Get a Termite Bond
If you live in a high-risk termite zone like I do, this statement is true: “You have had termites, you do have termites, or you will have termites.” So, once our house in Southern Georgia had the honor of a visit by the local termite troupe, we began to rethink our pest control priorities. To protect our home, we decided to purchase a termite bond as additional insurance against these pests.
The termite bond includes an annual inspection and guarantees that we’ll never have to pay for termite treatment or repairs if (or more likely, when) they reappear. The cost of the bond has gone up over time, but the annual inspection and repair guarantee mean it’s still a worthwhile investment for pest-free living in our high-risk termite area.
— Sarah Bahr
FAQ
Depending on the size of your home, a termite inspection might take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a large home, the termite inspection might take an hour or more. The inspector may have to put in additional time to get a full picture of the conditions if the termites have caused extensive damage.
Termite damage is typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Before assuming that insurance would cover anything, though, it’s a good idea to double-check with your insurance provider or agent.
No, a termite inspection is not something you can DIY. Termite inspections are a job for licensed professionals, especially if you’re considering buying or selling a home. Lenders will require a termite letter signed by a professional termite inspector.
Don’t Let Termites Take Over
A termite inspection is a small investment that can save you from major repair costs down the road. You don’t have to wait for visible signs of damage or a real estate transaction to think about termites. You can play a proactive role by being vigilant for signs of termite activity.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable termite inspection services and leave the rest to us.
Taha Javed contributed to this report.
Read More:
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- Annual Cost of Maintaining a Home: How to Set Your Budget
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Reclaimed Wood
- How Much Does a Roof Inspection Cost?
Main Photo Credit: Visual Generation / Adobe Stock Free / License
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