How much does Termites Cost cost?

Termite inspection usually happens when people are buying a home, selling a home or refinancing a mortgage; as an insurance requirement; for a routine checkup; or when leasing or renting a home. Inspections cover any type of single or multilevel residence or commercial space, from under 1,000 square feet to over 10,000 square feet. Several factors affect the cost of termite inspection.

Real estate inspections

Many real estate transactions require a wood destroying organisms (WDO) state report prior to sale, and most banks and lenders require this report before making a loan. No one wants to invest in a termite-damaged house. Most termite control companies offer state-report termite inspections at a flat rate. Rates vary depending on the size of the house, the geographic region, whether the state has more stringent inspection requirements than others, local termite company competition and more. Inspection costs usually cover the professionals™ time and effort to visit the site as well as to compile and submit the report. Here are two examples of state-report termite inspection costs:

• Pest Solutions in Nolensville, Tennessee: $50 flat rate

• the Fly Pest Solutions in Apopka, Florida: $125“$150, depending on the size of the house

Free estimates

Most professionals do not charge a fee to inspect a property and provide an estimate for termite control services. If someone requests a termite inspection, it generally means that signs of termites are visible and the person is a potential customer.

Termite control costs

The price to exterminate a colony (or colonies) varies, depending on the type of termites (drywood or subterranean), the size of the home and the type of treatment used. Here are a few examples from two pest control companies:

• Pest Solutions

  • Liquid treatment of subterranean termites: $3“$4 per linear foot

    • For $75 per year, the company will reinspect the property and renew the warranty.

• the Fly Pest Solutions

  • Liquid treatment of subterranean termites: approximately $400 for a 2,000-square-foot home at $3“$5 per linear foot for a liquid treatment of subterranean termites

    • The price is higher for additional work such as foaming and drilling inside of concrete slabs.

  • Fumigation treatment of drywood termites: $1,200“$1,500 for a 30,000- to 35,000-cubic-foot home

    • Fumigation is measured in cubic feet because it fills the airspace of the home and infiltrates the wood that the termites may be colonizing. The cost of fumigation is affected by the number of levels in the home as well as the square footage.

Damage and Repair

Here are signs that it™s time to call a professional:

• Frass. Otherwise known as termite poop, frass looks like six-sided salt and pepper droppings.

• Softening of wood or hollowed out wood. Termites don™t like paint, lacquer varnish or other wood finishes, so they™ll eat inside the wood and leave the exterior finish like a shell.

• Water bubbles in the paint. If you poke a bubbles and find termite droppings inside, it™s the sign of a termite infestation.

• Mud tubes. Subterranean termites create travel networks made of mud to get from their earth home to your house. When you see these mud highways under or along your house, you know a colony is in your home.

• Wings or swarming near your home. As a new colony is looking for a home, they fly (swarm), then shed their wings and burrow into nearby wood.

The cost to repair woodwork and repaint varies depending on how extensive the damage is as well as the size and type of area that needs repair.