Planning A Remodel Or New Floors This Year? Why Termite And Fungus Checks Should Come First

Starting a remodel or new floors in your Bay Area home? A termite and fungus inspection first can prevent surprise damage, change orders, and wasted work.

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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.

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The Worst Time To Find Termites Is During Demo

You save up. You plan a remodel, a kitchen update, or new floors. Then the contractor pulls up the old material and says the words no one wants to hear:

“This is not just old wood.”

Behind the new design, there is:

• Subfloor damage

• Framing issues

• Termites or fungus that were never addressed

Now you are juggling:

• Change orders

• Extra costs

• Delays while everyone argues about what to do next

There is a simple step that many homeowners skip, and it makes a big difference.

Getting a termite and fungus inspection before you open things up can protect both your budget and your project timeline.

Why Remodeling Often Exposes Hidden Damage

Remodels and flooring projects open up the parts of the house you never see.

Common finds:

• Damaged subfloor under old tile and vinyl

• Termite tubes on piers and posts that line up with problem rooms

• Old “dry rot” that no one traced back to a source

• Moisture staining in walls and under tubs

Contractors are good at building and finishing, but they are not always trained to separate:

• Fungus damage

• Termite damage

• Past structural fixes that did not address the real cause

Without a clear picture upfront, you may end up paying to cover problems that will simply return under your new finishes.

Projects That Especially Need A Pre Work Termite Check

Some projects carry more risk of hidden damage.

1. New Floors In Older Homes

If your home has:

• Original hardwood

• Old vinyl or tile with unknown history

• Squeaks, soft spots, or “bouncy” areas

then the subfloor and framing deserve a closer look before new material goes down.

A termite inspection can check:

• Subfloor condition from the crawlspace

• Signs of fungus or past leaks around bathrooms and kitchens

• Evidence of Subterranean or Drywood termites in flooring and adjacent framing

2. Bathroom Or Laundry Remodels

Any space with water is a repeat offender.

Hidden issues:

• Long term slow leaks at tubs, showers, and toilets

• Damaged subfloor around drains and supply lines

• Termites or fungus in the same areas labeled as “dry rot” before

If you upgrade tile and fixtures without addressing the underlying damage and moisture, you are setting up the next owner, or yourself, for more repairs later.

3. Kitchen Renovations

Kitchens combine:

• Water

• High use

• Often older plumbing in Bay Area homes

Termite and fungus damage under dishwashers, sinks, and refrigerators is common. A pre work inspection helps avoid surprises when cabinets come out and floors are stripped.

How A Pre Remodel Inspection Helps You And Your Contractor

A termite inspection before work gives you:

• A clearer idea of what sits under your finishes

• Photos and notes you can share with your contractor

• A chance to address hidden issues before design and materials are locked in

This can:

• Prevent last minute panic when damage appears

• Help your contractor write a more realistic scope of work

• Reduce the chance of arguing about who “owns” the problem once you are halfway through the job

A simple way to think about it:

Better to know about weak wood before you spend the money on expensive finishes.

What We Look For Before You Start A Project

When someone tells us they are planning a remodel or new floors, we focus the inspection on:

• Moisture heavy rooms

  • Under bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry

  • Around previous leak areas

• Load paths and support

  • Joists and beams under rooms about to be upgraded

  • Posts, piers, and foundation contact points

• Existing termite or fungus activity

  • Subterranean tubes

  • Drywood evidence in framing or trim

  • Fungus staining and softness in key areas

We then explain:

• What is active

• What is old

• What needs treatment or repair before you cover it up again

How This Affects Budget And Scope

A pre remodel termite inspection does not stop you from doing the project. It helps you plan for it.

You can:

• Budget for treatment or repairs as part of the project, not as an emergency

• Decide whether to change project size or materials if structural work is needed

• Time work so that termite treatment and contractor work happen in the right order

For example:

• Treating active Subterranean termites under a bathroom before a remodel is easier and cheaper than working around new tile and finishes later

• Replacing damaged subfloor during a flooring project is more efficient than tearing up new floors to fix it next year

What If You Are Already In The Middle Of A Remodel

If demo has started and damage suddenly appears:

• Stop and document

  • Photos of what was found

  • Notes about which room and location

• Call for a termite inspection as soon as possible

  • We can help sort whether the damage is termites, fungus, or both

  • We can also check nearby areas that are not open yet

The sooner you get clear information, the easier it is to:

• Decide what to repair now

• Decide what needs treatment

• Avoid covering active issues with new work

How Good Sense Termite Works With Homeowners And Contractors

We are used to being part of remodels and upgrades.

Our role:

• Give a clear assessment of termite and fungus activity

• Focus on rooms and areas tied to your project plan

• Provide reports and photos your contractor can use when planning repairs

• Coordinate timing so treatment does not slow the job more than needed

For Bay Area homes not in active escrow, inspections are free.For homes in escrow, we offer fee based inspections that meet real estate and lender needs.

We are not there to run your project. We are there to help you avoid covering up a problem that will come back through your brand new finishes.

FAQ, Remodeling And Termite Checks

Q: Do I really need a termite inspection before a remodel?

If you are touching bathrooms, kitchens, older floors, or areas with past leaks or “dry rot,” it is a smart step. It can prevent surprises and help you budget.

Q: Should my contractor handle this instead?

Contractors are important partners, but they are not licensed termite inspectors. They can find damage. We help identify the cause and the right treatment.

Q: Will a termite inspection delay my project?

Inspections are usually quick to schedule, especially if you tell us you are planning work. Dealing with hidden damage in the middle of the project causes far more delay than a check at the start.

Q: What if my contractor already started and found damage?

Call for an inspection as soon as you can. The open walls or floors give a good chance to see how far the problem goes and what needs to happen before you close everything back up.

Final Thoughts, Do Not Build On Top Of A Secret Problem

Remodels and new floors are big investments. The last thing you want is a quiet termite or fungus issue sitting under fresh work.

A simple termite inspection before you begin can turn unknowns into a clear plan and give you and your contractor fewer surprises.

If you are planning a project this year and want to know what is inside and under the structure first, we can help.

Schedule an inspection with Good Sense Termite. We will check the hidden parts so your new work sits on solid ground.

It's just Good Sense.