Is a professional termite inspection cost worth it? Or is it better to cut costs and do your own termite inspection?
Termites. A dreaded word that no homeowner is ever happy to hear. You failed to get that termite inspection cost done the previous year. This is because you thought that everything looked beautiful and you were in the clear.
As the days have passed, you realize that it might have been a very costly mistake. Saving money short-term might have just cost you even more long-term.
Termite inspections usually cost between $65 and $100 and most come with a Wood Destroying Insect Report. If termites are found, you are looking at expenses in the thousands. You will need to remove the pests and fix all of the damage they have inflicted.
Termite inspections can sometimes be free but not always.
Table of Contents
- What are Termites?
- How Often Should I get a Termite Inspection?
- Some Common Termite Treatments
- Is the Inspection Really Worth the Cost?
What are Termites?
Termites are social insects and are known to eat non-stop.They have the ability to chew right through wood, flooring, and wallpaper. They can cause severe damage while going unnoticed.
There are over 2000 known species of termites in the world, but they all share the same goal. They silently destroy. Termites consume everything from dry or moist wood, wallpaper, plastics, and even fabrics that are made from plant products (or anything with cellulose).
Termites are active all year round and, as they eat, they tend to leave small piles of wood-colored droppings in the same areas as they nest and feed. These droppings are one of the most blatant signs you will see that suggest a termite infestation. You could also see small holes in the wood, or rippled and sunken surfaces on your walls. Termites break down the structural integrity of your home and slowly destroy it from the inside out.
How Often Should I get a Termite Inspection?
It is always a good idea to get an annual inspection done on your house and property. Especially if your house is on the older side. For newer homes, you could probably get away with getting inspections done every two years. But to err on the side of caution, it is still recommended that an annual inspection is performed.
You should have a professionally-licensed company carry out the checks. This is because they are the experts at finding the damage that has been caused by these uninvited guests. While you can do the inspection yourself, but remember that you might miss something that a professional would not have overlooked.
It is said that termites can be even more dangerous to your home than a house fire. Further, they are considered your home’s number one threat. Moreover, termites can destroy your structural posts, walls studs, floors, drywall paperboard, carpet, and then move on to attack your furniture.
The most common species that is known to attack homes are the drywood termites. These termites build their nests inside of your walls and stay out of your view. Hiding and causing their damage in secret gives termites years to destroy your home slowly, and it is also the reason why annual inspections are so important.
A Winged Drywood Termite.
Cost of Inspection vs Treatment
The cost to do the repairs to fix the termite damage could wind up running into thousands of dollars; that cost far outweighs the small costs charged for a termite inspection.
So, an annual termite inspection can run a little over $100 a year, depending on the company you decide to hire. Most of the time, reputable companies will offer a free, initial termite inspection, and then, if termites are found, will discuss the costs and options associated with termite treatment, removal, and maintenance.
You want to try to look beyond the cost of the initial inspection and look at the bigger picture. Fumigations for homes can run anywhere from $1000 to $4000. You also have the option of other chemical treatments to use around your home.
Some Common Termite Treatments
Repellants are commonly placed in the home and the soil around the home, and this effectively creates a barrier so that the termites cannot invade your home again. Non-repellants are undetectable by termites and are quickly spread within their colony. It is another effective chemical option and will work to decrease the numbers in their population while other treatments can be done.
Termite baiting is a way to eliminate the termites virtually forever. Termite bait stations are strategically placed around the home underground. The termites take the bait, confusing it for food, and share it with their colony. Before they realize that the “food” is poison, the chemical bait has already spread, killing the termite population.
Weigh the costs of treating your home yourself and getting a professional to do it. While it may initially cost more to have a professional treat your home, it greatly benefits you because they are thorough and usually come with a guarantee. If you do it yourself and miss something crucial, the costs will begin to add up every time you have to go back and treat your house again.
Is the Inspection Really Worth the Cost?
In conclusion, extreme damage to your home could involve considerable costs and repairs. Some of these significant repairs include wall removal and replacement, the cost of the materials and labor, the costs for the permits and inspection papers, and the costs associated with removing and repairing any damaged framing.
The cleanup and debris removal charges, and even the costs involved in preparing the worksite for termite removal and replacement will also begin to add up. You will even see the costs associated with chemical treatments, fumigation, or baiting stations.
All of these costs don’t even include the amount of stress and financial strain you will be under when you see that skipping your last reasonably-priced inspection just costs you thousands of dollars in damages to your home.
It is always a safe bet to have your annual inspections done. Now, we come back to looking at the bigger picture. You spend a small outlay now in order to have the added confidence later that you have done anything and everything you can to protect your home, your investment, and the very roof that protects you and your family.
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I like what you said about a newer home you can get away with inspections done every two years for termites. My house is pretty old and has old damage from termites, so I’m considering having it inspected again. Thank you for the advice about having an annual inspection done to err on the side of caution.
Khorae, I’m glad you found my termite advice helpful. I shy from giving blanket advice because everybody has a different situation as far as how old their house is, what kind of termites or other wood boring insects are prevalent in their area of residence, as well as what type of infestation they have. There are many factors that influence what type of termite treatment a professional might recommend because every infestation is a different situation. However, I hope that mytermitetreatmentcosts.com is an adequate termite resource to help guide homeowners and businesses who may be encountering an unfortunate termite infestation. Properly treating a termite infestation typically requires professional help, but you want to learn enough to know that you are obtaining the proper professional help to deal with the type of termite infestation you have. Additionally, if you decide to go the DIY route, you want to ensure you know the risks and benefits.