Termite Treatment Cost Calculations
What Really Affects Termite Treatment Cost?
The precise cost of treating a termite problem or infestation can only be calculated by actually visiting and inspecting the buildings and land that need treating.
A variety of factors, for example the level of severity of the problem and the type of building it is, as well as the sheer size of the buildings, have a major influence on the cost of the job.
There are some rudimentary online estimators around which claim to give cost estimates but we would suggest caution in their use as one that we used as a trial gave us a figure of over $200,000!
Some of the main factors affecting your termite treatment cost are as follows:
1. Type of Building
Costs will be different for residential houses (and for single family occupancy versus for multiple dwellings such as apartment blocks) and for commercial properties such as warehouses and offices.
2. New or old signs of damage?
For what time period has there been signs of termite infestation or existence? If this has been a long standing problem with failure to act quickly then the damage will likely be more severe and usually costly.
3. Is it widespread damage?
How widespread is the damage and activity in the building? Is it confined to one or two main areas or is it widespread and evident all over a building? If it is restricted to a couple areas then less square footage usually needs treated which in turn keeps costs down.
4. Evidence of termite presence
Where do you mainly see evidence of termite presence? If it is outside a building it may be less severe, but if inside it is more likely that significant structural damage has been caused.
5. Size of Building
The key to this aspect of pricing your termite treatment is that it is best to use linear feet rather then square feet. It is simply more accurate this way. Linear feet means calculating the total distance around the perimeter of the building in question. You should also remember to add in any outbuildings on your property such as a garage, but of course only those that fundamentally have wooden structures.
6. Type of Foundations
This again can make a significant difference to termite treatment cost. The main considerations are whether it is:
a) Type of slab - typically floating or monolithic
b) Basement type – Finished or Unfinished
c) Crawl space – is it above or below 3 feet high
And related to this is whether you have slab with heat vents or else ceramic floor tiles?
7. Access to exterior walls
The actual treatment process means treating exterior walls and typically drilling too, so the easier the access is usually means the lower the cost.
8. Previous treatment and history
Have the buildings in question ever been treated for subterranean termites in the past?
So these eight factors form the basics of what your termite treatment will cost. Of course there can be no precise cost estimates at this stage until you get a professional company to survey the damage, but by knowing these areas you will have a better idea of what is in store for you and you can be armed with the information the termite contractor will need.
This will help provide a more accurate quote and get the work down more quickly and hopefully save you a few dollars on your termite treatment cost – maybe even thousands of dollars, especially if you sound like a more knowledgeable kind of customer who might see through a quote that is too expensive.
The precise cost of treating a termite problem or infestation can only be calculated by actually visiting and inspecting the buildings and land that need treating.
A variety of factors, for example the level of severity of the problem and the type of building it is, as well as the sheer size of the buildings, have a major influence on the cost of the job.
There are some rudimentary online estimators around which claim to give cost estimates but we would suggest caution in their use as one that we used as a trial gave us a figure of over $200,000!
Some of the main factors affecting your termite treatment cost are as follows:
1. Type of Building
Costs will be different for residential houses (and for single family occupancy versus for multiple dwellings such as apartment blocks) and for commercial properties such as warehouses and offices.
2. New or old signs of damage?
For what time period has there been signs of termite infestation or existence?
If this has been a long standing problem with failure to act quickly then the damage will likely be more severe and usually costly.
3. Is it widespread damage?
How widespread is the damage and activity in the building? Is it confined to one or two main areas or is it widespread and evident all over a building? If it is restricted to a couple areas then less square footage usually needs treated which in turn keeps costs down.
4. Evidence of termite presence
Where do you mainly see evidence of termite presence? If it is outside a building it may be less severe, but if inside it is more likely that significant structural damage has been caused.
5. Size of Building
The key to this aspect of pricing your termite treatment is that it is best to use linear feet rather then square feet. It is simply more accurate this way. Linear feet means calculating the total distance around the perimeter of the building in question. You should also remember to add in any outbuildings on your property such as a garage, but of course only those that fundamentally have wooden structures.
6. Type of Foundations
This again can make a significant difference to termite treatment cost. The main considerations are whether it is
a) Type of slab - typically floating or monolithic
b) Basement type – Finished or Unfinished
c) Crawl space – is it above or below 3 feet high
And related to this is whether you have slab with heat vents or else ceramic floor tiles?
7. Access to exterior walls
The actual treatment process means treating exterior walls and typically drilling too, so the easier the access is usually means the lower the cost.
8. Previous treatment and history
Have the buildings in question ever been treated for subterranean termites in the past?
So these eight factors are the basics of what your termite treatment will cost. Of course there can be no precise cost estimates at this stage until you get a professional company to survey the damage, but by knowing these areas you will have a better idea of what is in store for you and you can be armed with the information the termite contractor will need.
This will help provide a more accurate quote and get the work down more quickly and hopefully save you a few dollars – maybe even thousands of dollars, especially if you sound like a more knowledgeable customer.