How much should a termite treatment cost? How much does a termite treatment cost?
A treatment for subterranean termites will cost between $500 and $3200 dollars. There are four primary factors which impact pricing. They are location of service, size of structure treated, type of material used, and the complexity of the application.
Where work is performed impacts price. Termite pricing varies by region. In New England termite pricing varies even from state to state. Eastern Massachusetts labor costs are higher than Rhode Island leading to higher prices for termite control.
Second factor, the size of the structure. Subterranean termite service prices are based on linear feet treated. Linear feet is the perimeter of the structure. For example, a 25 x 35 Cape Cod style home has a 120 linear foot perimeter. Termites enter the structure by moving up the foundation to the wood structure. Treating the perimeter (or foundation wall) controls termite activity. Interior cracks, concrete cold seams or walls attached to slabs are drilled and treated. Add the length of those cracks, seams or walls to the foundation perimeter. Not included in the perimeter measurement is the garage door. No wood permanently attached to the foundation at that location. Two houses with the same square footage, but different perimeters will not be the same. For example the 25 x 35 Cape Cod style mentioned earlier may have a 1500 square foot living area over one and a half floors. A 35 x 40 ranch with a similar square foot living area has a perimeter of 150 feet. The twenty five percent larger perimeter results in a higher price.
The material used is the third factor that impacts price. Material costs vary depending on the type utilized. Baits are more expensive than liquid treatments. Manufacturers of baits have different systems that have different wholesale cost. For example, a monitor only bait system (where bait is added when termites are active) is cheaper than a system where active ingredients are used in each monitor. Liquid materials vary by the age the material has been on the market. Chemicals off patent protection and have that have competition from generic brands are cheaper than materials still under patent protection.
Application complexity is the toughest one to understand. To explain this, I will describe a straightforward termite application. It has on site water and power available. Off street parking is also available. Hard surfaces limited to front and back stairs. Decks and porches are accessible underneath, without debris and stored items against the structure. Interior drilling is into concrete without oil or water lines below the slab. No heat ducts in the slab. No well inside the foundation or within twenty five feet of the foundation wall. There is no french drain or sump pump. If the structure has any of those elements described above or lacks parking, water and power, the price must be increased for the additional time to complete functions and tasks to apply the termiticide correctly.
In conclusion, the price per linear foot for treating subterranean varies in eastern Massachusetts, but is normally (in 2021) between $7 and $12 per foot, with a minimum for smaller structures. The result is typical termite pricing in our area for a 25 x 35 Cape Cod style home $1080 to $1200 or more.