A termite bond is an annual contract that guarantees free re-treatment if termites return. Here is what it costs, what it covers, and whether the math makes sense for your home.
Basic renewal / yr
$150-$300
Premium renewal / yr
$300-$500
Initial + setup
$500-$2,500
Bond transfer fee
$25-$100
A termite bond is a service agreement between you and a pest control company. After initial treatment, the bond provides ongoing protection: annual inspections, guaranteed re-treatment if termites return, and sometimes coverage for repair costs from new termite damage.
Think of it as an extended warranty for your termite treatment. You pay an annual fee, and the company takes on the financial risk of re-infestation.
| Cost Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial treatment + bond setup | $500-$2,500 |
| Annual renewal (basic) | $150-$300 |
| Annual renewal (premium) | $300-$500 |
| Standalone annual inspection | $75-$300 |
| WDO report (real estate) | $75-$200 |
$150-$300/year
$300-$500/year
Form TT-2026 / Section C
Risk Analysis Result
Bond costs ~$2,033 more than expected risk
At these inputs, the bond exceeds expected risk. Reasonable for low-risk areas or pre-treated new construction.
You pay for the bond but never need it.
Bond cost (10 yrs): $3,900
Re-treatment needed: $0
Net cost of bond: -$3,900
Peace of mind, plus annual inspections catch other issues early.
Termites return once in 10 years (56% probability in high-risk areas).
Bond cost (10 yrs): $3,900
Without bond: $1,800 re-treatment
Bond saves: -$2,100
Bond costs more than re-treatment alone, but catches damage early through annual inspections.
Termites return and cause structural damage before detection.
Bond cost (10 yrs): $3,900
Without bond: $1,800 + $8,000 repair
Bond saves: +$5,900
Premium bond with repair coverage pays for itself several times over.
| Inspection Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual inspection (standalone) | $75-$300 |
| Inspection with bond | Included |
| WDO report (real estate) | $75-$200 |
| Free inspection (with service quote) | $0 |
Most termite bonds can be transferred to a new homeowner, though some companies charge a transfer fee ($25-$100). An active, transferable termite bond is a selling point: it tells buyers the home has been professionally inspected and protected.
If you are buying a home with an existing bond, ask the seller for the bond documents: company name, coverage tier (re-treatment only vs. repair coverage), annual renewal cost, and expiration date. Have the bond company inspect the property before closing to confirm coverage transfer.
A termite bond costs $150 to $500 per year to renew in 2026. A basic bond covering annual inspection plus free re-treatment runs $150 to $300 a year; a premium bond that also covers damage repair up to a cap runs $300 to $500 a year. Starting a new bond costs more up front: the initial treatment plus first-year bond typically runs $500 to $2,500, after which you pay the annual renewal fee.
Annual renewal is $150 to $300 for a basic (re-treatment only) bond and $300 to $500 for a premium bond that adds damage-repair coverage. The renewal fee funds the yearly inspection and keeps the re-treatment guarantee in force. Renewal is far cheaper than the initial year because it does not include a new full treatment.
A termite bond is worth it if you live in a high-pressure termite state (FL, TX, GA, AL, SC, LA, MS, NC, CA, HI), your home is older or has a crawlspace, or you have had a previous infestation. Over 10 years a bond costs about $1,500 to $5,000. If termites return once, the bond saves you a $1,500 to $2,500 re-treatment; if they return and cause structural damage, a premium bond with repair coverage can save several times its cost. In a low-risk northern or dry climate with new construction and physical barriers, self-inspection may be enough.
In high-pressure Southeastern states like Florida and Georgia, termite bonds trend toward the upper half of the national range because termite activity is year-round and re-treatment risk is higher. Expect roughly $250 to $500 a year for a bond in these states, with premium repair-coverage bonds at the top of that band. The exact figure depends on home size, construction type, and whether the bond includes damage repair.
Every termite bond covers an annual professional inspection and free re-treatment if termites return. A basic bond stops there and does NOT cover damage repair or pre-existing damage. A premium bond adds damage-repair coverage, typically up to a stated cap of $100,000 to $500,000, for structural damage caused by new infestations after the bond begins. Bonds do not cover damage that existed before the contract started.
Most termite bonds are transferable to the new homeowner, though some companies charge a transfer fee of $25 to $100. An active, transferable bond is a selling point because it shows the home has been professionally inspected and protected. If you are buying a home with an existing bond, ask for the bond documents (company, coverage tier, renewal cost, expiration) and have the bond company inspect the property before closing to confirm the transfer.