How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost for a termite inspection is $100. Most homeowners spend between $75 and $325, with the total driven by home size, infestation location, and inspection type.

Termite Inspection Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Check out the most important cost factors to consider when hiring a professional for a termite inspection.

Type of Inspection

The purpose of your termite inspection is the primary driver of what you'll pay. Common inspection types range from standard home sale visits (averaging $165) to specialized reports and bond agreements, which can reach $500 to $2,000. The table below breaks down common termite inspection types and their average costs:

Home Sale and Loan Type

Home sale termite inspections average $165, and they’re one of the most common inspection types homeowners encounter. Whether the buyer or seller covers this cost depends on local regulations, so checking with your state or county agency before closing is a smart move.

Loan Type

In addition to state and county regulations, certain loan types dictate who pays for termite inspections during a home sale.

• Standard home loan: With your average home loan, the state or county may require a termite inspection and determine who pays for it. In the vast majority of these cases, the seller pays for the inspection.

• Veterans Affairs (VA) loans: This loan type often requires the seller to pay for the inspection, which typically costs $50 to $150. In rare cases, the VA recommends that the buyer or the lender pay. The VA requires termite inspections in "high-risk areas" with a history of issues.

• FHA loan: The Federal Housing Administration abides by the recommendations of the state or lender, though an inspection is required if the home appraiser finds any evidence of an infestation. The buyer is expected to pay $100 to $200 if you need an inspection.

Follow-Up Inspections

Follow-up termite inspections cost $75 to $150, though you may pay a lower rate if you use the same company that handled the original extermination. Most inspections are a one-time service, but follow-ups are sometimes necessary to confirm an infestation has been fully cleared. Sticking with the same pest control company can work in your favor when negotiating the follow-up fee.

Commercial Termite Inspection

Commercial termite inspections cost $200 to $600, significantly more than residential inspections, because larger properties require more time and effort to evaluate. Unlike most residential inspections, commercial jobs are heavily influenced by property size. Restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, and retail stores all fall into this higher-cost category.

Termite Clearance Letter

A termite clearance letter costs $100 to $200, though some companies will waive the fee if you hire them for pest control services. This document is not a clean bill of health—it records what the inspector found, including any prior termite damage and the repairs that were made. Lenders often require this letter for certain loan types, particularly for homes in high-risk areas.

Termite Bond

A termite bond can range from $500 to $2,000 and is often required by lenders when an active infestation is discovered during an inspection. This bond is a service contract in which the pest control company commits to regular inspections and free treatments if termites are found during the coverage period. For buyers purchasing a home with a known termite history, a bond provides meaningful long-term protection.

CL-100 Inspection

A CL-100 inspection costs around $160 on average and applies exclusively to homeowners in South Carolina. It functions like a termite clearance letter but covers all wood-destroying insects and fungi, not just termites. Keep in mind that this report is only valid for 30 days, so timing it close to your closing date is important.

WDO Inspection

A WDO inspection costs around $150 on average and covers a broader range of wood-destroying organisms than a CL-100 inspection, including insects and fungi beyond termites. Unlike the CL-100, WDO inspections are not limited to South Carolina — lenders anywhere may require one if the home has a history of wood damage. If your lender flags prior wood damage during the loan process, budget for this inspection early.

Common WDOs include:

• Subterranean termites

• Drywood termites

• Dampwood termites

• Wood-boring beetles

• Carpenter ants

• Carpenter bees

• Soft rot fungi

• Brown (dry) rot fungi

• White rot fungi

Inspection Bundles

Inspection bundles cost $250 to $400 and combine a standard home inspection with a certified pest inspection, covering everything you need for a home sale or purchase in a single package. Home inspectors often lack the qualifications to diagnose termites on their own, so these bundles are put together in partnership with professional pest control companies. For buyers navigating a home sale, bundling inspections can simplify the process and potentially save money compared to booking each service separately.

Termite Report Letter

A termite report letter costs around $150 on average and is the standard documentation most lenders require, regardless of whether your loan is conventional, FHA, or VA. This report confirms to the lender the inspection findings and the current condition of the home with respect to termite activity. Some lenders require the report to be dated within 30 to 90 days of closing, so timing your inspection carefully is essential once your offer is accepted.

How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?

Termite treatment costs around $600 on average, though pest control costs can range from $230 to $1,000 depending on the size and location of the infestation and the type of termite treatment used. For large infestations, fumigation is often necessary and can run anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000—significantly more than lower-intensity options. If your inspection reveals a minor infestation, ask your pest control pro about DIY treatments, such as bait systems and termiticides, as a more affordable starting point.

Signs of Termites

If you're searching for termite warning signs, there are plenty to keep in mind. Common signs of termite infestations include:

• Detached wings throughout the home

• Mud tubes

• Hollow-sounding wood

• Buckled wood

• Termite droppings

• Small holes in drywall

• Bubbling paint

• Any damaged wood throughout the home

Where to Look for Termite Damage

A termite colony can find its next smorgasbord in any wooden area in your home, necessitating a spot treatment. Common spaces you should check include:

• Deck

• Fence

• Roof trusses

• Home exterior

• Shed exterior

• Kitchen cabinets

• Bathroom cabinets

• Wood frame

• Insect colonies around the yard

• Any trees on the property

What Is a Termite Inspection?

A termite inspection is an examination of a home performed by a local termite control expert, looking inside and outside the home for signs of an infestation. The professional termite inspector may look in your attic, crawl space, basement, closets, bathrooms, and garage, paying particular attention to any exposed wood in places such as cabinets, baseboards, and door frames. Outside the home, they will also examine cracks in your home exterior and any exposed wood in and around the home, including window frames, wooden fences, and wood piles.

When to Get a Termite Inspection

Once you recognize what a termite inspection is, you may wonder if and when you should get one. Generally speaking, most homeowners should get a termite inspection yearly, especially if they live somewhere warm and moist since these areas are at higher risk for infestations.

Aside from yearly inspections, termite inspections are a good idea when you buy a new home. Many states legally require a home seller to pay for a termite inspection before the sale can be completed.

What to Expect From a Termite Inspection

Your local termite inspector will look throughout the interior and exterior of your home to find signs of termite infestations. These signs may be difficult for homeowners to spot, especially if they have had previous infestations and may not know how to distinguish between new and old termite droppings or tunnels.

The inspector may use a probe to look for termite damage in weak-looking areas of the home, including the following:

• Areas where wood makes contact with soil

• Cracks in foundation

• Cracks in stucco

• Cracks in exterior and interior paint

• Cracks in brickwork

Inspections take about 30 minutes to 2 hours. After they are over, the inspector will show what they have observed to the homeowner, if they are present, and put together a formal report with their findings. If you have an infestation, the inspector will typically recommend eliminating it and repairing any resulting damage.

How to Prepare for a Termite Inspection

If you're getting ready for a professional termite inspection, here's how to prepare:

1. Clean the exterior of your home.

2. Trim tree branches and shrubbery near or touching your home.

3. Avoid creating excess moisture in your home like mopping or taking a hot, steamy shower.

4. Make sure that the inspector has easy access to all areas of your home, including the attic, basement, and crawl spaces.

5. Move any clutter, such as boxes or furniture, away from walls so that the inspector can access all areas.

6. Clear out the cabinets below your sinks.

7. Take note of any signs of termite damage, such as mud tubes, wood damage, or discarded wings.

8. If you have had previous termite inspections or treatments, gather any paperwork related to those services.

Most Common Termite Treatment Services

Termite inspections make up 64.5% of termite treatment services, followed by one-time extermination. Ongoing protection services, including scheduled visits, account for only about 12% of termite removal services.

Why You Should Hire a Termite Inspection Pro

Hiring a termite control professional near you to conduct inspections can help you stay ahead of the costly damage these pests can cause to your home. To the untrained eye, spotting an active infestation and understanding just how bad the damage is can be tricky. The cost of an inspection is small in comparison to the hefty repair bill that comes with serious structural issues from termites.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a termite inspection pro

Whether you live in a region prone to termites or have had problems with them in the past, hiring a professional to check for them proactively makes sense. Here's why:

• In some states, inspections by a certified professional are a requirement for home sales.

• In termite-prone regions, an inspection can provide peace of mind, especially if your home is older.

• Annual inspections often catch infestations before they lead to costly structural damage.

• If you've had termites before, an inspector can tell the difference between old and new signs of infestations.

• Pros have the tools and knowledge to spot signs of infestations that most homeowners would miss.

• Inspectors can evaluate the extent of any infestation or damage and make expert recommendations for eradication and repairs.

If you want to DIY termite inspection

While a qualified professional is the one with the skills, tools, and certification to carry out a thorough termite inspection, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make their job easier, faster, and possibly even cheaper. This includes:

• Clearing debris and clutter from both the inside and outside of your home so an inspector can access cracks in walls and areas where wood meets soil.

• Trimming back tree branches and shrubs that touch or block access to your home's exterior.

• Ensure there's a clear pathway to your attic, basement, and crawl spaces.

• Noting any signs of termites or termite damage to bring to the inspector's attention.

• Gathering paperwork from any past inspections or termite treatments.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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