Are Termite Inspections Really Free? What "Free" Should Include
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
Are termite inspections really free? Often, yes. Plenty of companies offer them, and some charge. The better question is how thorough the free one is, because an inspection only helps if the inspector actually looks. Ours are free, come with a written report and carry no obligation, and they cover the full home: attics, crawl spaces, interior and exterior. Here's what a good inspection covers and what to ask before you book one, from us or anyone else.
Free is common. Thorough is the part that varies.
Since free inspections are everywhere, "free" alone isn't a reason to pick a company. A thorough inspection takes time and training. A standard single-family home runs about 45 to 90 minutes, and a licensed inspector has to look at the interior rooms, exterior walls, foundation, crawl space and attic, then write up what they found.
A quick walk-around with a flashlight is also free. It is not the same thing.
What a real inspection covers
A termite inspection is a visual, noninvasive check of the accessible parts of your home. The inspector looks for:
Signs of activity, like droppings, mud tubes and shed wings.
Damaged wood.
Moisture problems.
Entry points and conditions that could invite termites later.
In California, a written report has to name the licensed inspector, list what was found, and spell out the areas that could not be inspected and why. Furnished rooms, hollow walls and tight attics are common examples. If your report says nothing about what wasn't checked, ask why.
Reports also sort findings into two groups. Section 1 covers visible active infestation or damage. Section 2 covers conditions likely to lead to a problem where no evidence was found. Our guide to reading an inspection report breaks it down, and how inspectors actually find termites shows the process.
Questions to ask before you book
Whether it's free or $150, ask these first:
Is it really free, or is there a trip fee or a fee for the written report?
Is it done by a licensed inspector, and will I get a written report?
What will you check, and will the report say what you couldn't reach?
Do I hear the findings first, or the quote?
How long will it take, and do I need to be home?
Is there any obligation if you do find something?
A good company answers all of these without a pause. Ours, for the record: the inspection is free, it covers the full home (attics, crawl spaces, interior and exterior), it includes a written report, and there is no obligation afterward. The only exception is an inspection done for an escrow transaction, which has a fee.
Buying or selling a home?
The inspection a sale requires may be a different animal. At Good Sense, an inspection done for an escrow transaction has a fee, and who pays for it is set by the sales contract, not by a rule of thumb. Whoever you call, ask whether the inspection you need is the free one before you schedule it. Our guide to termite clearance reports when selling covers the details.
The bottom line
Free is common. Thorough is the part worth shopping for. Check the list, ask the questions, and hold every company to the same standard, including us.
At Good Sense, the inspection is free, includes a written report and comes with no obligation. It is also a full-home inspection, attics and crawl spaces included, which is the part that matters. It's just good sense. Book your free inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Are termite inspections free?
Often, yes. Many companies offer free termite inspections, and some charge, with general price guides putting a standard paid inspection at roughly $100 to $300. Free doesn't tell you how thorough it is, so ask what will be checked and whether you get a written report. Good Sense inspections are free, include a written report and carry no obligation. A fee applies only when the inspection is for an escrow transaction.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
General price guides put a standard inspection at about $100 to $300, with a typical figure near $150. Crawl space, attic or structural-damage inspections, standalone written reports and add-ons can cost extra, and Bay Area prices can differ from national averages.
What does a termite inspector look for?
A visual, noninvasive check of accessible areas for signs of activity, damaged wood, moisture problems and entry points. Inspectors look at interior rooms, exterior walls, the foundation, the crawl space and the attic.
How long does a termite inspection take?
A standard single-family home usually takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on its size and how easy it is to get to each area.
What is the difference between Section 1 and Section 2 on a termite report?
Section 1 covers visible active infestation or damage. Section 2 covers conditions likely to lead to infestation where no visible evidence was found. Areas that couldn't be fully inspected are listed separately.
Who pays for a termite inspection, the buyer or the seller?
There is no fixed rule. The sales contract decides, and the cost is often negotiable. Lender rules can also play a part. For example, the buyer often pays on FHA loans.
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