How To Get A Termite Inspection

Contributed by: Doug Webb

Updated on: August 26, 2022

Preventing termite damage is essential for any homeowner. The showtime pace starts with a termite inspection. Nevertheless, the cost of a termite inspection can vary based on the company, location, reason for the inspection, and other factors. Therefore, it'southward best to speak to a pest control professional for termite inspection prices in your area.

Although some companies charge for termite inspections, with Terminix, initial termite inspections are always free. Schedule one for your domicile today.

Read on for information on termite inspection costs, why other companies may accuse you to get one, and how to prepare for a home termite inspection.

Understanding termite inspection costs

Several factors go into the cost of a termite inspection. Your geographic location is ane factor. Another factor is whether you need a residential termite inspection vs. a commercial property inspection. Inspection costs may also differ based on whether you currently own the property or you are getting an inspection to fulfil the requirements of a real estate transaction.

Permit's take a closer look at the individual factors that determine termite inspection costs.

Location

Dissimilar states in the U.South. have different inspection regulations. For instance, if yous're purchasing a home in S Carolina, your lender will require you to have a South Carolina Forest Infestation Report, which costs roughly $150. Likewise, your geographic location may influence the toll of a termite inspection due to differences in taxes, labor and fuel costs.

Real manor transaction or property possessor maintenance

If your termite inspection is part of a existent estate transaction, the price could exist included as part of the final cost of the property.

In the example of a abode loan, some states require the heir-apparent to pay for the termite inspection. On the flipside, other states require the seller to pay for the inspection. In those states, sometimes the seller volition offer to pay for a termite inspection equally an incentive to prospective buyers.

A property possessor requesting a termite inspection as role of the standard maintenance of the property volition probable have a different price than a buyer or seller in a real manor transaction.

Loan and belongings type

The type of home loan you are taking out tin can also influence the cost of the termite inspection. Requirements for a standard loan are dissimilar from pest inspection requirements for someone taking out a VA loan or an FHA loan.

In the case of a VA loan, if the holding you want to buy is in a location where termite infestation probability is rated moderate to very heavy, you may exist required to get a termite inspection equally function of the loan process.

FHA loans generally require a home appraisal, and if the appraiser sees evidence of termite damage, you will likely be required to go a professional inspection. Furthermore, repairs likely need to be finished earlier the loan is approved. The buyer usually pays for the appraisal and inspection, but the seller is normally responsible for the repairs.

Home inspection bundles

Dwelling inspectors normally exercise not have the necessary qualifications to perform a professional termite inspection. Even so, they may partner with professional pest control companies, offering discounts and bundle it into the total cost of their home inspection.

Termite bonds and letters

Generally, a termite letter is a letter written past a certified termite inspection visitor stating that a home has been inspected and shows if there is evidence of termite activity. If there were previous reports of termites in the home, the letter will tell what repairs take since been made to fix the harm. A termite letter of the alphabet may be required before obtaining sure types of loans or if the property is in a loftier-hazard area for termites. A termite letter of the alphabet tin can cost between $100 and 200. However, the cost may be waived by the inspection company if they are hired for termite control treatments.

If termites are discovered in a firm that y'all are planning on ownership, many lenders will crave you to accept a "termite bond." Although sometimes used interchangeably with "termite agreement" or "termite contract," a termite bond is something entirely dissimilar. In other words, the lender is really looking for a termite agreement or a termite contract. On the other hand, a bond is only a fee that a pest control visitor pays to a regulatory agency when it establishes it's business. If the pest command visitor goes bankrupt and owes customers money, the bond (usually a few thousand dollars full) is split among claimants.

Termite bonds practice not cost the homeowner or potential termite customer any money but are rather a regulatory requirement for termite control companies to operate their business organization.

Residential or commercial termite inspection

Most termite control companies accuse unlike fees based on the type of belongings they are inspecting. A residential termite inspection will probable be less costly than a commercial belongings inspection. Commercial properties include apartment buildings, condominiums, duplexes, office buildings, restaurants, and retail stores.

Why should y'all become a termite inspection?

As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Termite damage can cost yous thousands of dollars in household repairs. By contrast, a timely termite inspection past qualified professionals can exist worth every penny when you lot weigh it against the cost – and headache – of repairing termite damage.

Signs of termites

Recognizing signs of termites in your house could mean the deviation between a small amount of impairment and a large amount of termite damage. These signs include blisters in woods flooring, wood harm, discarded termite wings, mud tubes where your property meets the basis, and mounds of drywood termite droppings (called "frass"). If you lot notice any of these signs, y'all should telephone call a professional person correct away.

Annual inspections and prevention

Scheduling an annual termite inspection for your habitation is a adequately inexpensive way to help preclude costly termite damage, especially if your abode is in a high-adventure area for termites.

Ownership or selling a home

Generally, homeowners insurance does not cover the costs of termite inspections and treatments because information technology is considered preventable. If you are ownership a house, your lender may require a termite inspection every bit office of your loan process, and termite inspections can give you lot valuable peace of mind.

Is the termite inspection cost worth it?

Then, practise you lot need a termite inspection? The answer to that question involves considering the consequences of non getting a termite inspection. Termites are destructive, causing about $5 billion in damage yearly in the United States, according to the National Pest Direction Clan. Fortunately, taking the correct precautions tin can reduce your chances of suffering termite damage due to an infestation.

How often should I schedule a termite inspection?

The start step to fugitive a termite problem is having your dwelling house regularly inspected for termites, at least annually. Nosotros as well recommend that you lot accept your dwelling house inspected anytime y'all doubtable termite activeness.

How to prepare for a termite inspection

When you schedule your termite inspection, ask your inspector what yous should do to prepare. The termite inspector will need access to your garage and outside walls, attic, crawl space, sinks, and other areas in your home to assess any structural damage. Before the inspector arrives, movement household items and restrain your pets to provide easy access to:

Garage walls. Motility items two feet away from the garage walls so the inspector can see where the walls meet the slab floor. Expansion joints in the garage provide entry for termites.

Underneath the house. If you have a raised foundation, the inspector will go under your house. The inspector needs access to the crawl space, usually through the clamber space admission door on the outside of the firm. Remove items that block the opening to the crawl infinite.

Attic. Clear items away so the inspector can get into your attic. If the attic access is in a closet, remove clothing and other stored items so the insulation doesn't fall on them.

Sinks. Remove items under your kitchen and bath sinks. The inspector will cheque for leaks and termite evidence.

What to expect during a termite inspection

What does a termite inspection consist of?

The inspector will be looking for signs of termite activity or infestation in your habitation, including:

Termite droppings
Evidence of termite swarms (such as discarded wings)
Mud tubes
Hollow or damaged wood
Buckling or bubbling paint
Brittle drywall
Alive termites

Signs of termites can be difficult to spot. That's why it's important to have a termite command professional perform a termite inspection to your home annually. A trained technician knows which species of termites are present in your area, what signs of termites to wait for and exactly where to look for them.

A termite professional person will also assess your dwelling house for potential termite access points:

Cracks in the foundation around plumbing
Expansion joints (found in the garage and other places)
Hollow cake walls
The side of foundation walls and piers

Additionally, they'll also look for any conditions that may lead to time to come termite infestations in your home, including plumbing leaks and wood-to-soil contact.

Questions to ask your termite inspector

Your termite inspector volition work with you to come up with a plan to assistance become rid of existing termites and guard against future infestations. Having a listing of questions prepared beforehand can help you to better empathize the nature of your infestation and take a more collaborative arroyo alongside your termite technician. Here are simply a few questions to consider request during your termite inspection:

Which termite treatments do you recommend?
How long will the termite treatment have?
Where is the termite activity or infestation?
How can I help forbid future infestations?
What will the initial handling cost?
What is the price to extend protection?
What type of guarantees do you provide?

Terminix® offers a costless termite inspection. If you accept termites, Terminix can recommend ane of several handling systems. If you don't have termites, Terminix can help protect your home against future infestations.

Complimentary termite inspections from Terminix

A free homeowner's inspection is different from a real estate transaction termite inspection, which is unremarkably required past the mortgage lender and/or insurer. With this type of inspection, the termite professional inspects for termites and other wood-destroying insects and organisms and issues a formal report.

On the flipside, if you're already a homeowner and suspect termites, there'south good news: Some termite inspection companies, similar Terminix, offer gratis initial termite inspections for homeowners. Keeping your home free from termites is a part of regular home maintenance and can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

During a costless initial termite inspection from Terminix, a termite command professional person will inspect your home to wait for common signs of termites and whatsoever existing termite harm. If termite activity is establish, Terminix can customize a treatment plan to fit your needs. If termites are not constitute, Terminix can recommend a program to assistance protect your home from the harm a potential termite infestation could cause.

Who Pays for a Termite Inspection?
Termite Damage to Hard Wood Floors

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