Why termite quotes vary so much
Two houses that look nearly identical from the street can get very different termite treatment quotes, and it's rarely because one company is overcharging. Termite pricing depends on the termite species involved, how far the infestation has spread, the treatment method required, the size and construction of the home, and whether this is a first-time treatment or a renewal of an existing warranty. Any credible quote should explain which of these factors is driving the number, not just hand over a price.
Subterranean vs. drywood: different termites, different jobs
Subterranean termites live in the soil and build mud tubes to travel between the ground and a food source, which means treatment usually targets the soil around and under the structure — either with a liquid termiticide barrier or a bait station system placed around the perimeter. This is the more common termite problem across most of the country and the treatment is fairly standardized, which tends to keep pricing more predictable.
Drywood termites live entirely inside the wood they're eating, with no soil connection at all, which changes the treatment approach significantly. Localized drywood infestations can sometimes be treated with targeted injection or spot treatment, but a widespread or hard-to-access infestation may require whole-structure fumigation, which is a different scale of job and cost than a soil treatment. Confirming which species you're dealing with is the first real step in getting an accurate quote, not an afterthought.
Liquid treatment vs. bait stations
Liquid termiticide treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier in the soil around the foundation, which typically means trenching along the foundation line and, in some cases, drilling through slab sections to treat underneath. It tends to have a higher upfront cost but works relatively quickly once applied.
Bait station systems place monitoring and bait stations around the perimeter of the property, which termites feed on and carry back to the colony. This method is generally less invasive to install and spreads cost out over an ongoing monitoring contract rather than a single large upfront treatment, but it usually takes longer to eliminate an active colony since it relies on termites finding and feeding on the bait.
Neither method is universally "better" — the right choice depends on the property, the extent of the infestation, and whether you're treating an active problem or setting up long-term prevention.
Home size and construction
Linear footage of foundation to treat is one of the more straightforward cost drivers — a larger footprint simply requires more product and more labor. Homes on a slab foundation often require drilling to treat under the slab, which adds labor time compared to a home with a basement or crawl space where the soil is more directly accessible. Additions, attached structures, and multiple foundation types on one property (common in older homes that have been added onto over the years) can also add complexity that a simple square-footage estimate won't capture.
New treatment vs. renewing a bond
A first-time termite treatment on a home with an active or suspected infestation is priced differently than renewing an annual termite bond or warranty on a home that was already treated. Renewal pricing is usually lower since it covers ongoing monitoring and re-treatment if termites return, rather than the full initial treatment cost. If you're buying a home with an existing termite bond, it's worth finding out whether that bond is transferable before assuming you'll need a full new treatment.
Does DIY termite treatment work?
Store-bought termiticides and orange oil products can kill termites they directly contact, but the core problem with DIY termite treatment is coverage and confirmation. A subterranean termite colony can have tens of thousands of members with an extensive network of mud tubes that isn't fully visible from the surface, and a product applied to what you can see doesn't reach a colony living in soil you can't access without professional equipment. Orange oil is sometimes marketed as a natural alternative, and it can be effective against localized drywood termite galleries it directly reaches, but it isn't a substitute for a full inspection that identifies the actual extent of an infestation first.
The real risk with DIY termite treatment isn't that it does nothing — it's that it can knock back visible activity enough to create false confidence while the colony continues to cause structural damage out of sight.
What a fair quote looks like
A trustworthy termite quote starts with an inspection, not a price. That inspection should identify the termite species, the extent of visible damage and activity, the likely colony access points, and the treatment method being recommended and why. From there, the quote should be written and itemized — not a verbal number — so you know exactly what's being treated and what the ongoing monitoring or warranty terms are.
We inspect first, explain what we find in plain terms, and quote honestly before any treatment starts. If you're seeing mud tubes, discarded wings near windows, or wood that sounds hollow when tapped, it's worth getting an inspection before the damage goes further.