A termite inspection costs $75 to $150, and is often free, in 2026
If you just want to know whether you have termites, most pest companies including Orkin and Terminix will inspect for free, because they hope to sell the treatment. If you need the paper, a written wood destroying organism report for a home sale or a mortgage, it costs $100 to $325. That letter is the thing you are paying for.
Cost by job
| Free inspection from a treatment company | $0 to $0 |
|---|---|
| Standalone inspection, no report | $75 to $150 |
| WDO or termite letter for a home sale | $100 to $325 |
| Inspection for a VA or FHA loan | $50 to $150 |
| Annual inspection under a termite bond | $0 to $100 |
| Re inspection after treatment | $50 to $100 |
| Inspection plus moisture or crawlspace check | $150 to $350 |
What to know before you book
| Free unless you need the paper | A free inspection is a sales visit. It is a real inspection, but the tech is looking for a reason to quote treatment ($500 to $2,500). A paid inspection from a company that does not sell treatment gives you a straighter answer. |
|---|---|
| The WDO letter | A Wood Destroying Organism report (called a termite letter or clearance letter in most states) is a state form signed by a licensed inspector. Lenders ask for it in termite states. It is good for 30 to 90 days depending on the state. |
| VA loans | VA loans require a termite inspection in most of the southern and coastal states. Until 2022 the buyer was not allowed to pay for it in many states; now they can. Check who pays before closing. |
| Where it costs more | Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and the Carolinas are heavy termite states. Inspections cost more there and lenders ask for them more often. |
| Termite bond | A bond is a yearly contract ($200 to $400) that includes an annual inspection and covers treatment if termites show up. Common in the South; often transferred with the house. |
| Time | A full inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes and covers the crawlspace, foundation, attic and any wood touching soil. |
Why it costs what it costs
The inspection itself is cheap: an hour of a licensed person's time with a flashlight and a probe. What costs money is the signature. A WDO report puts the inspector's license on the line, so companies charge for the liability, not the looking. That is why the same walk around the house is free from one company and $250 from another.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and when you need it. The estimate updates as you change them.
Estimates from published 2026 cost guides. Get a written quote before work starts.
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How much does a termite inspection cost?
$75 to $150 for a standalone inspection in 2026, and often free from a company that sells treatment. A written report for a home sale is $100 to $325.
Are termite inspections free?
Frequently, yes, from Orkin, Terminix and local pest companies, because they want to sell the treatment. The written report for a lender is not free.
What is a termite letter or WDO report?
A state form from a licensed inspector stating whether there is active or past termite damage. Lenders require it in many states, and it usually expires in 30 to 90 days.
Does a VA loan require a termite inspection?
In most southern and coastal states, yes. Since 2022 the buyer is allowed to pay for it.
How often should I get a termite inspection?
Once a year in the South and in coastal states. Every two to three years elsewhere, or when you buy or sell.