How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost?

Average Cost of a Termite Inspection

Pest Inspection Costs for Home Purchases

The average cost of pest inspection is $100 when paying for one as part of a home inspection. Most home inspection service companies offer them as part of a home purchase service. The inspection alone will add between $75 and $125 to your overall home inspection costs.

Termite Letter or Report Cost

Some lenders might require a termite letter or official report that confirms a professional conducted a termite inspection and that no termites were found (or that, if found, they were taken care of). If you need such a letter for the sale or insurance purposes, you’ll spend $100 to $200 on top of the cost of insect treatment.

Average CL-100 Prices

South Carolina requires a CL-100 South Carolina Wood Infestation Report with all real estate transactions. It's the official name of a termite report and will cost about the same as a letter in other states, or about $150. However, unlike in other states, these letters are only valid for 30 days after the inspection date. CL-100 expenses can either be part of the closing costs or paid for by the homeowner.

Wood-Destroying Organisms (WDOs) & Other Insect Types

There are about 45 distinct species of wood-destroying organisms in the United States. They all fall into one of three categories: subterranean, drywood, or dampwood.

• Subterraneans need to have contact with the soil and build mud tunnels onto the wood from underground nests.

• Drywoods live in wood with a low moisture content and don't require contact with the soil. They live in dry climates or areas with older homes where the wood has completely cured.

• Dampwoods do not require soil contact but need wood with a higher moisture content. They love humid areas or new construction.

In addition to termites, a CL 100 report—and other new home purchase termite inspections—look for old house borers, powder post beetles, and damage caused by other insects, such as carpenter ants. Ant exterminators cost between $80 and $500, should you need to hire one.

VA Loan Inspections

Costs are the same, or about $50 to $150, for Veterans Administration inspections. The VA requires one in areas with a “very heavy” or “moderate-to-heavy” infestation probability according to the Termite Infestation Probability Map. For condominiums, they only require a pest inspection if the property appraiser spots a potential issue. Property appraisers cost between $325 and $425.

Other Home Inspector Services

Home inspections cost most homeowners between $275 and $400, but inspectors don't automatically check for pests. However, most companies do offer certified pest inspections with the home inspection, often at a discount when bundled together. Most require a trained and licensed service professional.

Preventative Termite Inspection Costs

How much is termite inspection if you aren’t buying or selling a home? Most local pest control companies will waive their termite inspection cost for annual inspections, meaning you’ll pay $0. Such contractors are hoping that, if they find signs of termite damage, you’ll hire them to handle the treatment.

You should get a free termite inspection at least once every two years. In areas with a high probability of infestation, get one annually.

Termite Treatment

If the inspector finds a termite infestation in your home, plan to spend between $225 and $950 in termite treatment costs. You can go with nationally recognized brands like Orkin, Ehrlich, and Terminix; regional termite exterminators like Arrow Exterminators and Western Pest Services; or a local termite control company near you. 

Termite Inspection Cost Factors

How much does a termite inspection cost? While the cost of an annual termite inspection is often free, and buyers or sellers can plan to spend between $75 and $325 as part of a home sale, additional termite inspection cost factors can drive up the final price.

One Time vs. Annual Inspection Fees

Most local pest inspectors charge nothing for annual termite inspections. If they don’t find anything, you won’t have any costs. If they do find an infestation, you’ll have to pay for treatment and may also need to pay to repair the damage they’ve done. For example, you might need to budget up to $2,050 for the cost of repairing carpentry framing or even $2,425 for the cost of wood siding repair.

While annual termite inspections are typically free, you’ll pay a fee for a one-time inspection when it’s roped in with a house sale, especially if your lender requires a termite letter.

Residential House vs. Businesses or Commercial Spaces

While termite inspections for homes are often free, businesses will usually need to pay for an inspection of a commercial space. Costs will vary greatly with the type and size of your business but could go as high as $650. Pest control services may offer a free consultation during which they will determine the costs for commercial properties.

Termite Bond Agreement

Some lenders go a step beyond the termite letter. If the inspector discovers termites during a home inspection before the sale of a home, your lender may require you (as the buyer) to purchase a termite bond agreement. This agreement spells out how you’ll treat the termites and keep them from returning. These agreements can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

Location

Location can also impact overall costs. Areas known for high termite activity, like South Carolina, might be more expensive because termite exterminator services are in higher demand. In addition, location can affect local labor rates; if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, expect your termite inspection cost to match.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

A termite inspector can more easily detect the signs of a termite infestation than an untrained homeowner, which is why it’s important to get an inspection every one to two years. Make sure your home is ready before the inspector arrives. The more area the inspector has access to, the more easily they can spot termite problems.

Some of the common signs of termite infestation your inspector will search for include:

• Mud tubes. Small mud tunnels link the wood food source to subterranean termite nests.

• Damaged wood. Wood can look crushed at joints and have a hollow sound when you tap on it.

• Piles of wings. Once swarms nest, they shed their wings.

• Bubbling and buckled paint. Though sometimes a sign of water damage, it can also mean insects. Either way, this merits fast action; water damage repair costs are expensive.

Where to Look for Termite Damage

Places to look for termite damage include:

• Your deck or fence. A wood fence or deck is one of the first places a subterranean nest will attack.

• Roof trusses and structure. Drywood termites don't need ground contact and can live and eat anywhere in the home. Roof inspection costs are minimal compared to more expensive roof repair costs down the road.

• House and shed exterior. Wood-sided homes are particularly susceptible.

• Kitchen and bathroom. Look inside and under cabinets for damage.

• Basement or crawl space damage. The most obvious places will be close to the ground.

• Home and garage walls. Check wall studs near the ground.

• Wood framing, trim, furniture. Termites won't stop at the home's walls. They'll eat anything wood, including your furniture.

• Swarming insects outside of your home. Pay attention to termite swarms looking for a nesting area or during mating. During this time, they often fly in swarms. Swarms happen both when the weather begins to warm in the spring and when a colony matures. There is no specific time frame for colony maturation, though it typically happens after a colony is about three years old.

DIY Termite Inspection vs. Hiring a Pro

When you hire a termite inspector, always look for bonded, insured, and licensed professionals. DIY termite inspection should not be a consideration: Annual inspections are free. Otherwise, lenders require them as part of a home inspection for a sale, and in that case, you must use a professional service. Have an upcoming inspection on the calendar? Here’s what you need to know about termite inspections.