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How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost? About $75 to $325, Often Free From Pest Control Companies

By Sharrk Team · October 30, 2026

A termite inspection usually costs about $75 to $325, with a national average around $100, according to HomeAdvisor and This Old House, and HomeGuide puts most homes at $0 to $250. It is often free: Orkin and Terminix both advertise free termite inspections, though a formal report for a home sale usually costs extra.

If you run a pest control company, those inspection requests come in by phone at all hours, and Sharrk answers those calls 24/7 with an AI voice agent that asks your booking questions and puts the inspection on your calendar.

How much does a termite inspection cost, by source?

The guides mostly agree on the range. The free end comes from pest control companies that inspect at no charge when they hope to sell treatment.

Is a termite inspection really free?

Often, yes, for a homeowner who just wants to know if they have termites. Orkin's booking page invites you to "Schedule your FREE Termite Inspection." Terminix says, "Yes, your very first termite home inspection is free" (content updated October 6, 2026). This Old House names both companies as offering free inspections to check for an active infestation.

The free offer has limits. Terminix says costs can apply when you need a formal inspection report for a real estate transaction. It calls Wood-Destroying Insect Reports "a separate service from our free termite inspection," usually paid by whoever requests the form.

What does a WDI or WDO report cost for a home sale?

A wood-destroying insect (WDI) or wood-destroying organism (WDO) report is the paperwork a lender or buyer may ask for before closing. It costs more than a basic look because it produces a formal document on a deadline.

Who pays? It depends on the market and the contract. HomeGuide says the buyer or seller may pay depending on local custom and negotiation.

VA loans: Chase says VA termite inspections are typically required in areas the VA's Termite Infestation Probability Map rates "moderate to heavy" or "very heavy," and almost always when the appraisal notes insect damage. VA rules were "loosened in 2022 to permit all borrowers to pay for inspections," and reports are "usually valid for 90 days."

FHA loans: HomeGuide says FHA loans require termite inspections only in certain circumstances, tied to termite probability maps.

How long does a termite inspection take?

Most residential termite inspections take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on home size and access, according to HomeGuide. HomeAdvisor recommends an inspection at least every two years, or every year in high-risk areas.

What are the signs you need a termite inspection?

Mississippi State University Extension and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) list the same warning signs:

• Swarmers or shed wings indoors or near the foundation, often in spring. MSU Extension notes swarmers 25 feet or more from the house are rarely a concern.
• Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, plumbing or in the crawl space.
• Damaged wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or sagging floors.
• Bubbling or uneven paint, or narrow sunken lines in drywall or wallpaper.
• Frass, small six-sided pellets left by drywood termites.

The NPMA says termites cause $6.8 billion in property damage each year, and homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover it.

What should your phone line ask when someone books a termite inspection?

For a pest control company, a termite call is either a worried homeowner or a real estate deadline. Both want an answer fast. Your phone line, human or AI, should sort the call in the first minute and collect everything a tech needs. (For general call flow, see our pest control call script.)

For every caller:

1. "Is this a general termite check, or is it for a home sale or refinance?"
2. "What did you see? Swarmers, wings, mud tubes, damaged wood, or just routine?"
3. "Where is the property, and is it a house, condo or commercial building?"
4. "Roughly how big is it, and is there a crawl space, basement or slab?"
5. "Has the home had termite treatment or a bond before? With which company?"
6. "Who will let the inspector in, and what times work?"

For real estate WDI or WDO calls, add:

1. "Are you the buyer, seller, or agent?"
2. "What is the closing date, and when does the lender need the report?"
3. "What loan type: VA, FHA, conventional, or cash?"
4. "Does the lender or contract require a specific form?"
5. "Who is paying for the report, and where should we send it?"
6. "Are the house and crawl space accessible, or is it vacant and on a lockbox?"

Then confirm your price out loud. If your first inspection is free but WDI reports carry a fee, say so on the call so nobody is surprised at closing.

How Sharrk handles termite inspection calls

Sharrk's AI voice agent answers every call 24/7, asks the questions above (or any you set), and answers price and service questions from your own knowledge base. It books the inspection onto Sharrk's calendar, Calendly, Cal.com or ServiceTitan, and Sharrk's calendar sends a confirmation email or text plus a 24-hour reminder. If a caller needs a person, such as an agent with a closing tomorrow, the agent can transfer the call live.

When a lead comes in from Angi, Thumbtack, Networx or your web form, Sharrk replies in under 30 seconds by AI call, text and email. Strikes keep following up until the lead replies or asks to stop, and Hunts can reach past customers who agreed to hear from you when it's time for an annual inspection. More on that on our AI receptionist for pest control page.

Setup is plain English. Tell Mako, Sharrk's AI assistant, something like "Build a phone agent that books termite inspections and asks real estate callers for their closing date and loan type." Mako drafts the agent, shows each change on an Apply card, waits for your OK, and lets you undo.

Plans start at $0 with Sharrk Free (2,500 one-time credits, no card), and Sharrk Core is $99 a month. See pricing for the rest.

Start free with Sharrk or schedule a demo.

Related on Sharrk: AI receptionist for pest control · AI answering service · Pricing

Sources

• HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost in 2025?" (no date shown): https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/inspectors-and-appraisers/termite-pest-inspection (checked October 30, 2026)
• Angi, "How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost? [2025 Data]" (no date shown): https://angi.com/articles/how-much-does-termite-inspection-cost.htm (checked October 30, 2026)
• This Old House, "Termite Inspections: Everything You Need to Know" (updated May 27, 2026): https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pest-control/reviews/termite-inspections (checked October 30, 2026)
• HomeGuide, "Termite Inspection Cost" (November 22, 2025): https://homeguide.com/costs/termite-inspection-cost (checked October 30, 2026)
• Orkin, "Get A Free Termite Inspection" (no date shown): https://www.orkin.com/termite-control/free-termite-inspection (checked October 30, 2026)
• Terminix, "Termite inspections explained" (content updated October 6, 2026): https://www.terminix.com/termite-control/inspection/ (checked October 30, 2026)
• Chase, "Your guide to VA loan termite inspections" (July 30, 2025): https://www.chase.com/personal/mortgage/education/buying-a-home/va-loan-termite-inspection (checked October 30, 2026)
• Mississippi State University Extension, "Signs of Termite Infestation" (no date shown): https://extension.msstate.edu/insects/termites/signs-termite-infestation (checked October 30, 2026)
• National Pest Management Association (PestWorld), "Top 5 Signs of a Termite Infestation" (no date shown): https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/top-5-signs-of-a-termite-infestation/ (checked October 30, 2026)

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