Termite Inspections: A Detailed Guide to Maximizing ROI as an Inspector

As a home inspector, adding termite inspections to your services can be a smart business move. This is a high-demand, high-value service that can expand your offerings and position you as an all-in-one inspection professional.

In this guide, we’ll break down what a good termite inspection involves, how long a termite inspection takes, their typical cost, and how to properly document them to maximize your ROI. 

What Is a Termite Inspection?

A termite inspection is a visual examination of a structure for signs of termite activity or damage. It also includes looking out for conditions that could lead to infestations.

Unlike general home inspections, termite inspections focus on wood-destroying organisms (WDO), such as subterranean termites, drywood termites, dampwood termites, and occasionally carpenter ants.

Termite inspection is often required as part of a real estate transaction or for mortgage approvals. They are also requested by homeowners noticing signs like mud tubes, frass, or hollow-sounding wood in their property.

A termite inspection covers the entire structure, including inside and outside premises, crawlspaces, attics, and garages or decks. It involves identifying signs of active infestations, as evidenced by mud tubes or the presence of actual live termites.

Inspectors should also look out for signs of past infestations as demonstrated by damaged wood or exit holes. Aside from these, inspections also involve identifying conditions potentially conducive to termite infestation, such as wood-soil contact and moisture problems within the establishment.

Below are some key terms termite inspectors often use. Brush up on these to help you speak confidently with contractors, clients, and realtors.

Being familiar with these terms builds your credibility with both clients and colleagues.

Key Inspection Areas

Inspectors typically use flashlights, screwdrivers, moisture meters, and sometimes borescopes for hidden areas. Most termite inspections are non-invasive unless specifically authorized. Here are some key areas that should be inspected:

• Foundation walls for mud tubes
  
• Baseboards and trim for blistering paint or frass
  
• Attic beams for tunneling
  
• Crawl spaces for moisture, damage, or nests
  
• Exterior siding near the soil line
  

A Step-by-Step Guide to Termite Inspections

❶   Confirm the Scope

Clarify whether the inspection is for a transaction or homeowner concern. Is a formal report required? Will treatment recommendations be needed?

❷  Start with the Exterior

Look for:

• Mud tubes on foundations
• Cracks in siding or brick veneer
• Wood-to-soil contact (e.g., deck posts)
• Excess moisture or drainage problems
  

❸  Move Indoors

Examine interiors by:

• Tapping on baseboards and trim with a screwdriver
• Inspecting around plumbing penetrations
• Using a moisture meter on suspect areas
• Looking under sinks, in closets, and basements
• Examining crawlspaces and attics for tunneling, damaged wood, nests, or high humidity.
  

❹  Document Findings

Take photos, mark key areas, and describe the condition clearly. Use industry-standard terminology such as “evidence of previous activity,” “active infestation not found,” or “conducive conditions observed”.

❺ Deliver the Report

Provide a clear, timely report using the required format for your state. Include recommendations, but avoid overstepping into treatment advice unless you have obtained the proper license.

How Long Does a Termite Inspection Take?

A termite inspection takes typically 30 minutes to an hour, depending on:

• Size of the structure
• Accessibility (crawlspaces or multi-level homes)
• Severity or presence of suspected damage
• Simultaneous full home inspection
  

If you’re already conducting a general home inspection, adding termite inspection to the same appointment may only require you to take an extra 15–30 minutes.

What to Look for During a Termite Inspection

A thorough termite inspection requires a structured process as well as an alert eye. Whether you’re inspecting a 1,200-square-foot bungalow or a 5,000-square-foot custom home, knowing what to look for can make the difference between catching an early infestation and missing a serious issue. Be aware of these signs:

⚠️ Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build pencil-thin mud tubes to travel between their colony and the structure. These are commonly found on foundation walls, piers, crawlspace supports, or along interior baseboards. This is the most obvious sign of termite activity.

⚠️ Frass (Termite Droppings)

Drywood termites leave behind small piles of wood-colored pellets known as frass. These typically appear below kickout holes in wood and look like fine sawdust or coffee grounds. Presence of frass often indicates an active drywood infestation.

⚠️ Wood Damage

You can use a screwdriver or probe to tap on exposed wood, especially around windows, door frames, and in crawlspaces. Hollow sounds or wood parts that flake away easily can mean internal tunneling. Be also on the alert for blistered paint or sagging wood trim.

⚠️ Wings or Swarmers

Winged termites are reproductive termites that swarm in spring or summer. Finding discarded wings on windowsills or light fixtures suggests the presence of an active colony nearby.

⚠️  Moisture and Ventilation Issues

Termites thrive in moist environments. Poor drainage, standing water, and high-humidity areas increase infestation risk. Using a moisture meter can help pinpoint hidden problems.

⚠️ Wood-to-Soil Contact

Deck posts, fence lines, or siding that are in contact with the soil provide termites a direct pathway to access the structure of the house or building.

If termite activity is found, you can recommend treatment. These usually involve liquid termiticides, baiting systems, or fumigation, depending on the species and extent of infestation. Subterranean termites are often treated with soil-injected termiticides around the foundation, while drywood termites often require localized spot treatment or whole-structure fumigation. 

However, if you’re not licensed to treat, refer clients to a qualified pest control operator.

What’s the Average Termite Inspection Cost?

Nationally, termite inspection cost ranges from $75 to $150, and even up to $325. The price depends on factors like:

• Geographic location (higher in termite-prone regions)
• Type of property (multi-family, large square footage)
• Whether the inspection is for a real estate transaction (some lenders require formal NPMA-33 forms)
  

In many states, realtors expect inspectors to include termite inspection as part of the package. Price it competitively and offer incentives like discounts and bundled pricing (e.g., $525 for a home + termite + radon).

Why Should Inspectors Add Termite Services?

1. Diversify Revenue Streams

Adding termite inspections means you can upsell a common add-on service during home inspections. The good thing is that a termite inspection is already expected by realtors and buyers who request a full home inspection.

2. Increase Job Value

A termite inspection can easily add $75–$150 to your home inspection revenue without requiring additional travel.

3. Win Real Estate Referrals

Real estate agents find all-in-one providers convenient. Being able to complete a full inspection plus WDO report in one visit can give you an edge and win referrals.

4. Low Barrier to Entry

Depending on your state, the certification process for termite inspections is relatively short and affordable compared to full licensing requirements for general contractors or pest control operators. You often have to pass a WDO/WDI (Wood Destroying Insects) certification exam, complete training, register with the state pest control agency, and use approved forms for your inspection. 

Common Termite Inspection Problems & Troubleshooting Tips

Here are the usual termite inspection problems you can expect to encounter on the job, and how to troubleshoot them.

1. Inaccessible Areas

Problem: You can’t inspect what you can’t reach.

Solution: Always note inaccessible areas in your report. Recommend further evaluation if necessary.

2. Client Disputes

Problem: Clients may challenge your findings, especially if they’ve just bought or sold the property.

Solution: Use photos, clearly worded observations, and disclaimers. Avoid “diagnosing” unless certified.

3. Misidentifying Damage

Problem: Not all wood damage is termite-related. Carpenter ants, water damage, or dry rot can look similar.

Solution: Educate yourself with photos, training, or side-by-side comparisons. When in doubt, refer to a licensed pest control operator.

How to Increase ROI from Termite Inspection Services

Now that you know the basics of termite inspection, here’s how to maximize your return on investment:

• Train once, earn for years: Most termite certification courses are low-cost and can be completed in days. This upskilling can add thousands annually to your revenue.
  
• Combine appointments: Save time and fuel by conducting termite inspections during home inspections. This minimizes travel and increases your earning potential per appointment.
  
• Automate reports: Use reporting software that includes termite templates or WDO-specific sections. Smart form builders also help you customize inspection reports and speed up reporting. Faster reports mean more bookings.
  
• Use inspections to upsell: If you find signs of infestation, refer clients to trusted pest control pros and potentially earn referral fees.
  
• Get reviewed: Encourage satisfied clients and agents to leave public reviews that mention your termite inspection service. This helps drive local SEO and word-of-mouth referrals.
  

How Digital Tools Can Streamline Termite Inspections

In today’s inspection landscape, digital tools are no longer optional. They’re essential for efficiency, accuracy, and professionalism. When it comes to termite inspections, having the right tool in hand can help you move faster and document more clearly, enabling you to deliver better service.

1. Digital Reporting Software

Use digital forms that allow you to build termite inspection sections directly into your home inspection reports. Look for tools that enable you to:

• Attach high-resolution photos of damage or evidence
  
• Use pre-loaded comment libraries with industry-standard language
  
• Generate WDO/WDI reports like the NPMA-33 in minutes
  

2. Moisture Meters and Bluetooth Devices

Use moisture meters to spot conditions conducive to termite infestation. Many devices now come with Bluetooth capabilities that sync readings directly into your reports. This cuts down manual entry time and helps ensure accurate documentation.

3. Scheduling Tools

Apps like Workyard can automate scheduling, confirmations, and client follow-ups. This is particularly useful when bundling termite inspections with general home inspections, keeping everything organized in one place.

4. Photo & Video Documentation

Tablets and smartphones with good cameras allow you to document findings in real-time. Apps like Markup or Skitch let you annotate photos with arrows and notes, helping clarify your findings to clients.

By embracing these tools, termite inspections can become a lucrative part of your daily inspection job. 

The Bottom Line

Adding termite inspections to your home inspection offerings positions you as a more complete solution to clients and as a valuable partner to real estate professionals.

By understanding how termite inspections work, what they cost, how long a termite inspection takes, and how to troubleshoot common problems, you can expand your offerings and hit the ground running. 

Workyard is a dedicated tool designed to help field professionals like you to streamline daily operations like time tracking, scheduling, and job costing. It also offers advanced operations tools like its smart form builder.

Workyard’s smart form builder enables you to create forms from photos or scans of your existing form. You can also import spreadsheets, convert forms from another tool, or download an image of a form you’d like to use — Workyard’s smart form builder will have a usable form for you to use in no time.

Click the links above to see how it works, or sign up for a free trial of Workyard today to streamline your project management and time-tracking processes.