When you’re purchasing a new home, your lender is likely to require that you get a pest inspection. Even if it’s not required, it’s a good idea because pests like termites can do significant damage to your new home. If you already own a home, having a pest inspection annually can help you to identify pest issues before damage is done.
Of course, pest inspections come with a cost, so it’s important to understand what you should expect to pay before you schedule your inspection.
Types of Pest Inspections and Average Costs
When you’re buying a home, there are a few types of pest inspections that you may want or be required to have.
Wood-Destroying Organisms
$100 to $200
A wood-destroying organism inspection looks for any pests that invade wood. Many mortgage lenders require this type of inspection before a home purchase. Wood-destroying organisms include:
- Termites
- Carpenter ants
- Carpenter bees
- Wood-boring beetles
- Soft rot fungi
- Dry rot fungi
- White rot fungi
Termite
$75 to $150 basic termite inspection
$100 to $200 official termite inspection report or letter
Termites can do significant damage to any wood in your home, including beams and frames that are part of the structure of the home. That’s why mortgage lenders usually require termite inspections. They are trying to protect their collateral.
If the inspection shows that termites are present, they may require a termite bond, which ensures that termite treatment and control will be done. This bond may cost between $500 and $2,000.
Mortgage Loans – Required Pest Inspections
$160 to $170 for conventional loans
$100 to $200 FHA loans
$50 to $150 VA loans
Mortgage lenders usually require general pest inspections, with prices varying based on the type of loan. This inspection comes with a report that is required by the lender.
CL-100
$70 – $200
A CL-100 inspection is specialized type of pest inspection that is required only in South Carolina. It looks for all types of wood-destroying organisms and insects.
Factors that Affect Pest Inspection Costs
Several factors can affect the price of pest inspections, including:
- Inspection type: If the inspection is lender-required, it’s going to cost more than a preventive inspection that you may have with no home sale involved.
- Location: Different types of pests are a problem in different climates, so pest inspection prices may vary depending on the type of pests the inspection covers.
- Home size: Larger homes take longer to inspect, which will be reflected in the price.
- Company: Pest inspection companies choose their own prices, so it’s often a good idea to shop around.
- Frequency: For annual or semi-annual preventive inspections, you may get a discount.
Extermination Costs
If pests are found in the house, the lender will require treatment, which may be a cost to you as the buyer, unless you negotiate with the seller and get them to cover the cost. Either you or the seller may also have to pay to repair any damage done by the pests, particularly if the damage is structural.
Average pest control prices vary based on the type of pest and the extent of the problem.
- Termite treatment may cost anywhere from $70 to $1,500.
- Ant extermination ranges from $80 to $500.
- Bedbug extermination runs from $350 to $6,000.
- Cockroach extermination costs anywhere from $100 to $8,000.
- Bee removal runs from $150 to $500.
- Flea extermination ranges from $75 to $400.
- Mosquito control can cost $100 to $600.
- Rodent removal runs from $200 to $2,500.
Costs to repair damage from pests will depend on the extent and location of the damage, and can be quite expensive.
Indicators That You Need a Pest Inspection
You should consider having a pest inspection annually to catch issues before they get out of control, but there are also signs to look for that might mean that you need a pest inspection right away. These include:
- Visible wood damage
- Bubbling or cracking paint
- Droppings (from rodents)
- Chewed wires
- Holes in walls or floors
- Mud tubes
- Wood that sounds hollow
- Holes in the lawn
- Scratching sounds
Ongoing Pest Control
If pests are found, a one-time treatment is not going to solve the problem for the long-term. You should hire a pest control company to do regular inspections and treatments on your home to ensure that the pests are under control. A pest control contract may cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the pest, the frequency of treatments, and your home’s size.
In Closing
Pest inspections protect your most valuable asset, and sometimes they are required. Prices vary, so be sure to shop around. If you’re looking for a pest inspection company, JobSnap can connect you with local pros in just a few clicks. Just post your job and get matched. It’s a snap!
