Hiring a pro
Questions to Ask a Termite Company Before You Sign
Short Answer
The single best way to avoid overpaying — or paying for the wrong treatment — is to ask the same clear questions of every company and compare their answers side by side. A good company will welcome these questions and answer them plainly. Vague answers, high-pressure tactics, or a refusal to put things in writing are themselves the answer.
Print this list or keep it open on your phone during the inspection. Get at least two or three quotes; the goal isn’t just the lowest price, it’s the clearest scope for a fair one.
Not sure yet whether you even need a professional? Start with DIY vs. professional or our decision guide.
Before You Call: Get Comparable Quotes
Quotes are only comparable if the companies are answering the same questions about the same problem. A few habits make the whole process fairer:
- Ask every company the same core questions, in the same order.
- Get everything that matters in writing — scope, price, and warranty.
- Don’t decide during the inspection. Take the paperwork away and compare.
- Be wary of pressure to sign today or a “price good only right now.”
Licensing, Insurance, and Credentials
Group 1
Are you licensed to apply termite treatments in this state?
Termite work involves regulated pesticides, and licensing requirements vary by state.
Good sign: a specific license they’ll let you verify with the state agency, not a vague “yes, we’re fully certified.”
Do you carry liability insurance, and can I see proof?
If something goes wrong during treatment, insurance protects you as much as them.
Good sign: they can produce a current certificate of insurance without hesitation.
Will the person doing the work be trained and supervised?
The quality of the inspection and application depends on who actually shows up.
Good sign: clear answers about who inspects, who applies, and their qualifications.
The Inspection and Diagnosis
Group 2
What did you actually find, and where?
The treatment should follow a specific diagnosis, not a generic sales script.
Good sign: they point to specific evidence — locations, activity signs, conducive conditions — and can tell active from old damage. Our page on mud tubes vs. old damage helps you follow along.
What species of termite is this, and does it change the plan?
Subterranean and drywood termites call for different approaches; the answer signals depth of knowledge.
Good sign: they identify the type and explain why it shapes the recommended treatment.
Is there a written inspection report?
A report you can keep is the basis for comparing companies and for any future sale or dispute.
Good sign: a documented report with findings, not just a verbal summary and a price.
The Proposed Treatment
Group 3
Exactly what treatment are you proposing, and why this one?
You want the reasoning, not just the product name — the “why” tells you it fits your situation.
Good sign: they explain the method, the product category, and how it targets what they found. For background, see treatment types compared.
What products will you use, and what are the safety precautions?
You have a right to know what’s being applied to your home and how to keep pets, children, and food areas safe.
Good sign: named products, label-based precautions, and clear re-entry guidance.
What does the treatment not cover?
Knowing the limits up front prevents surprises — some plans treat activity but exclude certain areas or follow-up.
Good sign: honest boundaries, including whether structural repair is separate from pest treatment.
Keep in mind that pest-control agreements and homeowners insurance answer different coverage questions. Homeowners insurance generally does not cover termite damage, while a treatment or service agreement pays only for the services or repairs expressly included in its terms.
How disruptive is it, and what do I need to do to prepare?
Trenching, drilling, or access needs affect your schedule and your home.
Good sign: a straightforward walk-through of the process and your part in it.
Price, Warranty, and Follow-Up
Group 4
What’s the total price, and what exactly is included?
A single number means little without scope; “included” is where quotes really differ.
Good sign: an itemized, written quote — inspection, treatment, follow-up, and any re-treatment.
Is there a warranty or guarantee, and what does it require of me?
A warranty is only as good as its conditions — annual renewals or inspections are common.
Good sign: written terms, a clear length, and plainly stated renewal or maintenance requirements.
For a plain-language breakdown of retreatment-only, repair coverage, renewal terms, and exclusions, see what a termite bond is before you sign.
What happens if termites come back?
Re-treatment terms separate a real guarantee from a marketing word.
Good sign: a defined re-treatment process at no or low extra cost while the warranty is active.
Are there ongoing costs after the initial treatment?
Annual monitoring or renewal fees change the true cost of the plan.
Good sign: all recurring costs stated up front, not discovered on next year’s bill.
Reading the Answers
The goal isn’t to catch anyone out — it’s to compare fairly. A reputable company answers plainly and puts the important things in writing. Treat any pesticide or safety question as label-governed: if a verbal claim conflicts with the product label, the label wins.
Red Flags — Slow Down If You See These
None of these guarantee a bad company, but together they’re a reason to get another quote before signing:
- high-pressure “sign today” tactics or a price that expires immediately;
- a quote with no written scope, or a refusal to itemize;
- vague answers about licensing, insurance, or what they found;
- a diagnosis that skips inspection, or can’t tell active from old damage;
- a warranty described only verbally, with no written terms;
- reluctance to name the products they’ll apply.
You are never obligated to decide during the visit. Take the paperwork, compare, and choose on your own timeline.
Before You Book the Inspection
Make sure a professional is the right call for your situation with DIY vs. professional, and use our decision guide to confirm your next step. Then bring this list to every quote.
How We Approach These Guides
TermitePlan is an independent decision resource; we are not an exterminator and do not sell treatments. We help you frame the decision, compare options, and know when a licensed professional is the safer next step. See our Methodology.