Termite treatment quotes can vary 30-50% between companies for the same scope of work. Here is how to get good quotes, compare them fairly, and avoid common traps.
Call 3-5 licensed pest control companies. Include at least one national chain (Terminix, Orkin) and one local company. Local companies often have lower overhead and more competitive pricing. National chains may offer stronger warranties.
Before any quote, the company should inspect your home thoroughly. This should take 30-60 minutes for a standard home. Ask for a written report that documents what they found: species identified, areas of activity, extent of damage, and moisture conditions.
Every quote should be a written document (not verbal) that specifies the treatment method, chemicals used, coverage area, warranty terms, total cost, and payment schedule. If a company will not put it in writing, move on.
Make sure you are comparing the same treatment type, same coverage area, and same warranty terms. A $1,200 quote with a 1-year warranty is not cheaper than a $1,500 quote with a 5-year warranty. Normalize the comparison.
Every pest control company must be licensed in your state. Ask for the license number and verify it with your state's regulatory body. An unlicensed company cannot legally apply restricted-use pesticides and their work may void your homeowners insurance.
Look up the company on Google Reviews, BBB, and Angi. Ask for references from recent termite treatment customers in your area. A reputable company will provide them.
Use this checklist to evaluate every quote you receive. If any of these items are missing, ask the company to include them before signing.
If one quote is 40-50% below the others, the company may be cutting corners: shorter barrier, cheaper chemical, no warranty, or planning to upsell after starting work.
'This price is only good today' or 'Termites are eating your house right now, you need to act today.' A reputable company gives you time to compare quotes. Termites work slowly; a few days to compare quotes will not change the outcome.
Every professional termite treatment should include a written warranty. If a company will not guarantee their work in writing, they are not confident in the quality of their treatment.
Fumigation is only necessary for drywood termites. If you have subterranean termites, fumigation is unnecessary and far more expensive than the correct treatment. Make sure the inspector has identified the species.
Spot treatment should only be recommended after a thorough inspection confirms the infestation is truly localized. If a company wants to do spot treatment without inspecting the entire home, they may miss the larger problem.
Any legitimate pest control company will readily provide their state license number. If they hesitate or refuse, do not hire them. Verify the number with your state's regulatory agency.
Standard practice is 50% upfront and 50% on completion, or full payment on completion. Requiring full payment before starting work is unusual and risky.
Every state has a regulatory body that licenses and monitors pest control companies. Ask the company for their license number, then verify it online. Here are the agencies for the highest-volume termite states: