In most cases, termite prevention is paid for by the buyers, and termite treatment is paid for by the seller in the closing costs. However, if the seller listed the house “as is,” the buyers are responsible for all termite damage and future prevention costs. Of course, there are always contingencies that can make this decision more complicated.
Who is responsible for the termite inspection when buying a house?
The termite inspection is typically shouldered by the buyer. Now, before you go on complaining about how the seller or the previous owner should shoulder this one, you might want to take a look at some of the reasons why this might be beneficial to the part of the buyer.
What does the seller pay for for termite damage?
Additionally, the seller will pay for any repairs needed to fix dry rot or replace wood damaged by termites. Section 2 of your termite report will focus on potential future problems with termite or WDO damage.
Would you have bought the house if you knew about termites?
We wouldn’t have bought the house if we had known of the termite problem. What kind of attorney fees would be we looking at and what kind of settlement might we expect?
How much does a termite inspection cost?
Nobody likes to talk about money, but when it comes to termite inspections, there’s a bit of good news. While cost can vary depending on the vendor, most pest control companies, including Terminix, offer free termite inspections. If there is a cost associated with an inspection, it is usually minimal and in the $50-$150 range.
Are termites a deal breaker when buying a house?
So, when is it a deal-breaker? In most cases, termite damage shouldn't be a deal-breaker, unless you find that: — There is an active and unresolved termite infestation. — There is extensive and unresolved structural damage to the home caused by termites.
Is termite treatment required in Texas?
Does my house need to be treated? A. Not necessarily. In Texas, termites abound in the soil wherever wood is to be found.
Is termite inspection required in Texas?
Answer: In Texas, any person who reports on wood destroying insects in a home must be licensed by the state as a wood destroying insect inspector.
How much does termite treatment cost in Texas?
For a 1,200 sq. ft. home, termite control will average around $214 per year, while a 2,000 square foot home will be priced closer to $390 annually....Average Price Range For Termite Control in Houston.Cost Per Linear Foot$7.21Subterranean Termite Treatment$284Drywood Termite Removal$193 – $15002 more rows
Do I need termite warranty Texas?
Year-Round Termite Protection Is Key Since these insects can, and will, wreak havoc on North Texas homes for months, years, and even decades, completely unnoticed, until the damage is severe, it is important to have termite protection in place all times of the year.
How often should you treat for termites in Texas?
Frequently Asked Questions For liquid termite treatments, you should re-treat roughly every five years, and for termite bait stations, you should monitor every few months.
How do you tell if a house has been treated for termites?
0:281:52How Do You Know if a House Has Been Treated for Termites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGot every 13 inches or so see right there this is drill patch. See it's kind of dirty but there'sMoreGot every 13 inches or so see right there this is drill patch. See it's kind of dirty but there's one right there. And right there. And there see the little dark invitation it's been treated.
What time of year do termites swarm in Texas?
Generally, termites swarm on a warm day after a rainfall. Swarms also may occur during the winter in heated buildings. The swarming habits of the most common species in Texas are described below. The eastern subterranean termite typically swarms from February to May.
Are termites an issue in Texas?
According to Safe Pro Pest Control, Texas has the highest concentration of termites in the country. It's either you got termites in your house or you don't. But the thing is, with the humidity and moisture Texas has, your house is at risk for termite infestation.
Can I treat for termites myself?
Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home's exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.
What are signs of termite damage?
Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:Discolored or drooping drywall.Peeling paint that resembles water damage.Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.More items...
What attracts termites to a house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
Why do termite inspectors need a license?
Termite inspectors are issued a specific license due to their use of controlled chemicals which allows them the ability to treat the home if termites are present. To clarify the differences in the two inspections, we need to identify what each inspector does and some of the terminology used.
What is section 1 termite inspection?
Termite inspection reports describe items as either “Section 1” or “Section 2”. Section 1 items typically fall into the closing costs for the seller, meaning sellers pay for these treatments.
What does a termite inspector look for?
Termite inspectors look at various wood destroying organisms in the home including termites and fungi. Termite inspectors will inspect from the ground to the first floor. If accessible, termite inspectors will enter attics to examine the roof structure. Some home inspectors possess both licenses, but most do not.
How much does a pest inspection cost?
A pest company might vary pricing depending on whether the foundation is raised or slab and on the number of stories or square footage. Prices vary from around $50 to $200.
What does a pest control company do?
Based on the findings of the inspection, the pest control company will recommend treatments or provide options for prevention and protection. They provide treatment options for both subterranean and drywood termites, as well as protection plans that covers the cost of damage and repairs as long as your plan is active.
What is a home inspection?
Home Inspection – is a home inspector examines a home’s structure, its systems, and components for defects. This includes aspects of the construction, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling systems, roof, interior, and exterior components. The home inspector will inspect nearly every aspect of a home and is much more detailed than ...
Can a home inspector inspect for termites?
No. While most home inspectors are qualified to inspect and identify termite activity, the two inspections are distinctly different and serve different purposes. Also, in every state, the licensing for home inspectors and termite inspectors is different. Termite inspectors are issued a specific license due to their use of controlled chemicals which ...
What is a termite inspection report?
The Termite Inspection Report. During the termite inspection, the inspector will be looking for more than just termites. The inspector will be on the lookout for other pests, dry rot, leaks, and fungus that could cause structural damage to your foundation. Incidentally, most of the time the inspector isn't actually looking for ...
What does section 1 mean for a termite inspection?
Under Section 1, the inspector will identify any damage caused by termites and WDOs as well as if they spot an actual infestation. These issues will need to be remedied immediately before the buyer moves into the home as the damage is considered a potential safety hazard for the new homeowners.
What is section 2 of a termite report?
Section 2. Section 2 of your termite report will focus on potential future problems with termite or WDO damage. For example, the inspector may note that an area could be a hotspot for pests and prone to creating an environment where termites would flourish and cause damage.
How much does an inspection cost?
If the inspector does charge, typically the inspection cost will range from $50 to $150 making it an inexpensive upfront cost that could end up saving you thousands in the future — the negligible fee and potential benefits make getting an inspection an easy choice for most sellers.
Do you have to know about termites before selling your house?
While you never want to hear that you have a termite infestation, it's important to know before you attempt to sell your home so you don't run into issues with the buyer down the line. Learn everything you need to know about termite inspections — how to read the report and how much it will cost you.
Can you spray a house for active pests?
Treatments for active pest problems can either be small fixes, like spraying an isolated area, or they can be more involved, for instance, you may need to tent and spray the entire home. Additionally, the seller will pay for any repairs needed to fix dry rot or replace wood damaged by termites.
Do you need a termite inspection in California?
And while a termite inspection is not legally required in California, many lenders obligate buyers to have one before they hand over financing.
What happens if you don't disclose termite damage?
If you recently purchased a house and the seller of the house did not disclose to you that there was termite damage, you may have a legal cause of action against the seller.
What does a company need to do to prevent infestations?
The company and its employees must use care and skill in inspecting a client’s property and applying an appropriate treatment to kill any active infestations and/or prevent new infestations from occurring (depending on the contract with the client).
Is termite damage physical?
Not all injuries are physical: sometimes your finances, your emotional stability, and the soundness of your home can be negatively impacted by another’s carelessness even if you yourself are not physically harmed. This is often the case when a homeowner discovers (to his or her horror) that his or her home has termite damage.
Can you repair a house with termites?
This is often the case when a homeowner discovers (to his or her horror) that his or her home has termite damage. Once termite damage has occurred, it can cost a homeowner a sizeable amount of money to repair the damage and rid the house of these pests.
Can a seller disclose termite damage?
Sometimes sellers may not disclose termite damage or infestations because, although these existed in the home at some point, the seller believes he or she took care of the problem by calling a pest control company. When infestations or damage reappears, it may be difficult to show that the seller should have known about the infestation in order to hold the seller legally responsible for your termite infestation-related expenses. Other times, even where the Seller legitimately did not know about the infestation, you may be able to recover against the pest control company that failed to discover the infestation while conducting the wood infestation inspection required by your mortgage company prior to your closing on your home.#N#A pest control company must comply with certain rules and regulations in order to operate in the State of South Carolina. The company and its employees must use care and skill in inspecting a client’s property and applying an appropriate treatment to kill any active infestations and/or prevent new infestations from occurring (depending on the contract with the client). When the pest control company performs its duties in a shoddy or haphazard manner, that company may be later found responsible for the homeowner’s damages and losses.
How much does a termite inspection cost in California?
In California and in almost all other states, sellers pay termite inspection costs. The cost is typically inexpensive, ranging from $50 to $150. Some termite companies even offer a free inspection in the hopes that they'll earn your business and can handle any necessary (and more expensive) treatment.
What is section 1 in a termite inspection?
Section 1. Termite inspection reports describe items as either "Section 1" or "Section 2". Section 1 items typically fall into the closing costs for the seller, meaning sellers pay for these treatments. This includes the cost of remediation, like tenting or spraying to eliminate an active termite infestation.
Do banks require termite certificates?
Because of this, it's very common for a bank to ask for a termite certificate prior to funding a loan. As with most things, this point is negotiable so buyers should be prepared to ask for a contingency stating the seller pays for a termite inspection, treatment, or both - even on an as-is sale.
Do you have to pay for termite inspection?
As the seller, you should expect to pay for the termite inspection cost and Section 1 termite treatment. If you negotiate an offer that states you are not responsible for paying for Section 1 remediation, make sure the buyer tracks whether or not the bank requires a termite certificate.
Why do you need to inspect your house for termites?
In order for a real estate sale to be finalized, the house and property must be inspected for termites. This inspection is to protect the buyer’s interests so they are not tricked into something they were not aware of.
What is the smell of termites?
Infestations of pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, and termites each have a unique odor. This odor is one that is usually musty, oily, or just downright smelly! With each room you enter, take a deep breath and see if anything smells out of the ordinary.
Do you need a letter to sell a house with termites?
However, a home filled with termites is a horse of another color! By law, homeowners need a letter from a certified pest control company declaring the house termite-free. Once the inspection has been completed, you can move forward with the selling process. However, if termites are present, keep that pest control company around to talk about ...
Can termites be in your house?
An active termite infestation is within the house. There is no infestation within the house, but there are signs of an infestation underground. The house was previously treated for an infestation, but could still have termites underground. Termite inspections are mandated by law for the proper sale of real estate, ...