The average termite bond cost is less than the price of the average termite treatment. In the United States, the average termite bond costs between $500 and $2500, whereas the average cost of termite treatment plus repairs is around $9000. Similar to our health, preventative measures for our homes are cheaper and more effective than treating symptoms.
If you want price estimates for a termite bond in your area, you can fill out a few questions below and receive several free quotes so you can compare and save money.
But, do you really need to worry about termites? It depends on a few factors, the main one being the termite threat level where you live.
There are two main situations where people are often concerned about termite bonds
- When buying a home or apartment
- When owning or renting a home or apartment.
There are other situations where people should also be concerned with termite infestations and might want a bond of some sort. Wooden boat owners, orchard owners, and even librarians deal with termites in their boats, trees, and books, respectively. In this article, though, we focus on homes and apartments but let us know in the comments if you’re interested in hearing about termite bonds for boats, trees, or libraries.
When buying a home, one of the top priorities on your checklist is to have a reliable professional check for termites. These tiny, wood-burrowing insects that feed on wood cause about $5 billion in property damage every year (according to the National Pest Management Association).
Termite damage can go undetected for years, sometimes devastating homeowners when revealed. Termite damage can be significant (sometimes nearly destroying homes) and most insurance companies do not cover termite damage.
Depending on where you live, termite risk can be so high that it would be unwise to not have some type of termite warranty since home insurance doesn’t typically cover termite damage.
Top Termite-Infested Cities in the USA
There are 45 different types of termites. They reside in every state except Alaska, however, some cities (and states) are more termite-ridden than others. If you reside in an area with high termite activity, you should check into the cost of a termite bond. The top twenty most termite-infested cities are:
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Houston, TX
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Atlanta, GA
- Sacramento, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL
- Boston, MASS.
- Washington, D.C.
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Cincinnati, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Baton Rouge, LA
- New York, NY
- Kansas City, KS
- San Antonio, TX
What is a termite bond?
A termite bond is a contract between the homeowner and a termite control company. Termite contracts vary from company to company—some offer retreatment services, some pay for termite damage repair.
Termite warranty contracts are like any other contract; some companies offer more and some offer less. The company you choose and what it offers in the warranty will affect how much the termite bond will cost you.
Always read the fine print and get quotes from at least three different companies so you can compare the costs and the different options available to you.
The contract will list the termite treatments that you are covered for and their frequency. It is also important to know if your bond is transferable if you sell your house. Most quality termite control companies also offer a good warranty.
Who needs a termite bond?
Do you need a termite bond? There is a common termite control saying that goes like this:
“There are two kinds of homes: those that have had termites and those that will have termites.”
In particular, if you live in one of the twenty top termite-infested cities mentioned above, it would be wise to get some type of termite bond or termite coverage plan and warranty.
Additionally, when you purchase your home and the inspection does not reveal any termites, that does not mean termites will not show up in the future, and sometimes the inspector might have overlooked a small infestation.
So, getting a termite warranty or termite bond, even if you live in an area with mild termite risk, is still a good idea.
How much is a termite bond?
The average price of an initial termite bond is between $500 and $2000 dollars—a one-time cost. Then, an inspection is done once a year. Most companies charge an extra fee for this service.
Some contracts have extra fees if extra services are needed. The higher-end amount is usually for contracts that are inclusive of the inspection and for those living in areas known for a higher prevalence of termite infestations.
What does an average termite bond renewal cost?
Initial termite bonds cost more ($500 – $2000) because they include the price of initial termite treatment. Termite bond renewals cost less, ($200-$400) than an initial termite bond because they include a yearly inspection and follow-on treatment if one is required (an uncommon scenario). You can typically choose to renew (or cancel) your termite bond annually.
How can I get a cheaper termite bond?
The cost of a termite bond through a local company is often cheaper than termite bonds with larger national franchises like Home Team or Terminix. So, check your local pest control professionals!
Also, make sure you get at least three quotes for termite bonds so you can compare prices. You can fill out a few details here and get several quotes from different companies shortly.
Shopping around at different companies can save you quite a bit of cash, but read the fine print. Termite bond prices often vary significantly from company to company because companies cover different things in their agreements with you.
Is a termite bond a waste of money?
A termite bond is rarely a waste of money. Unless you live in a region with low termite activity, termite bonds are typically cheaper than treating a home for termites. Some people, however, prefer to pay for termite treatment (around $1500) when buying a new home (depending on the house size), and then conduct their own regular termite inspections.
While it is wise to regularly inspect for termite activity, it is difficult to replace the tools (often thermal cameras) and capabilities of an experienced termite professional.
How can I find a good termite bond company?
If you do not know of a reputable termite bond company, ask your real estate agent or home inspector. They can often offer recommendations for local companies with good reputations.
How can I check if my previous homeowner had a termite bond?
Ask the previous homeowner if they had a termite bond. If they, for some reason, will not tell you or don’t know, check your home’s main breaker box. Pest control companies usually place a sticker there annotating the date of their last termite inspection. You can then call that company and ask them if the house had a termite bond.
What if the previous homeowner already had a termite warranty?
If the previous owner of your home already had a termite bond (or warranty), you should check if you can have their termite bond transferred to you. If the previous owners’ termite bond or warranty is transferrable, bond transfer fees are typically significantly cheaper than paying a termite company to come to treat your home for termites.
It is easiest to transfer a termite bond before you close on a property but there is also often a grace period to transfer the bond after you purchase the property.
How much does it cost to transfer a termite bond?
It typically costs around $100 to $250 to transfer a termite bond from a previous homeowner to the new homeowner. This is significantly cheaper than getting a new termite treatment, which can range from $700 to $1800 depending on the type of termite treatment and company.
Once you establish a contract with a termite control company, they continue applying termite prevention and if a termite issue arises the company implements treatment plans tailored to the type of termite affecting your property.
If you are interested in a termite bond, you can answer a few questions below for no-obligation estimates
Termite Prevention Tips
We share more termite prevention strategies here but here are some common household tips that will help prevent these costly pests from taking up residence in your home and destroying one of your most costly possessions:
- Keep all stored firewood or lumber of any type away from the foundation of your home.
- Don’t cover the foundation or any wood surfaces completely with vegetation, soil, or mulch (Examples being trim, siding, and window frames on basement windows).
- Any wood that has contact with the soil needs to be treated. If treated materials were not used for deck supports, fences, retaining walls, steps, or any other items that are in contact with the soil, they should be replaced.
- Maintain gutters.
- Reduce moisture in crawl spaces.
- Keep repairs up-to-date concerning leaks in the roof, flashings, pipes, and plumbing fixtures.
Termite treatments available to you
There are around 45 different species of termites (in the U.S.) that fall into 3 different categories: damp wood, subterranean, and drywood termites.
Understanding the different categories of termites will reveal their most likely entryway into your home and the most effective treatment for them.
- Dampwood termites are the largest in both size and popularity of the three different types of termites. They live in areas that are high in moisture. Your best line of treatment is to eliminate any leaks and dry out the areas that are high in moisture. In places where moisture control cannot be used-spot treatments of termite insecticides will take care of them.
- Subterranean termites are the most destructive of the three categories. Baiting treatments, foam treatments, preconstruction treatments, and postconstruction treatments are a few methods for treating this destructive pest.
- Drywood termites do not need any contact with the soil and can thrive within the confines and protection of wood. Treatments with orange oil, sunlight, microwaving, and electrocution can be effective for certain spot infestations (infestations localized to a small area), but for larger drywood termite infestations, fumigants or heat tenting is often required to exterminate them.
Have no termite issues at home but I want a termite bond/insurance for my home. Please email or call me asap if your company offers termite bonds or insurance.
Bill, you can fill out a little information here and a couple of companies will contact you and offer you quotes. Hope that helps.
I need a termite bond to sell a house. Do not care about an extended contract just want the bond to sell it. What is the lowest price I can get away with. Please send quotes
Hi Denise, you usually do not have to have a termite bond to sell your house, just a termite inspection. Although every State and country has their own laws regarding this, I would look into it further because I haven’t heard of a termite bond requirement prior to selling a house. Either way if you need quotes just fill out some quick info here and your will get them in a timely manner.
Do you sell drywood termite bonds?
Hi Barbara, thanks for visiting. We do not sell drywood termite bonds but you can get several estimates for termite bonds for free and compare the prices by entering some quick information here.