A termite bond is a service contract with a pest control company. After an initial treatment, the company inspects your home each year and retreats for free if termites come back; some bonds also pay for repairing new damage. Initial plans typically cost $500 to $2,500, and annual renewals run about $150 to $500, according to HomeGuide’s 2026 data. A bond is most worth it in high-risk areas, for older homes, and when selling, since many bonds transfer to the buyer.
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Types of Termite Bonds
| Type | Covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Retreatment bond | Annual inspection and free retreatment if termites return | Lower renewal fee |
| Repair bond | Inspection, retreatment and repair of new damage, up to a limit | Higher renewal fee |
| Bait monitoring plan | Regular station checks and bait replacement | Annual or quarterly fee |
Termite Bond Cost
- First year: about $500 to $2,500, usually including the initial treatment.
- Annual renewal: about $150 to $500.
- National providers: HomeGuide lists Terminix plans at about $400 to $1,500 a year and Orkin at about $500 to $1,600 a year.
Price depends on home size, foundation type, termite species in your area, the treatment method and whether repairs are covered.
Is a Termite Bond Worth It?
| Worth it if | Maybe not if |
|---|---|
| You live in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Hawaii or California | You live where termites are rare |
| Your home has had termites before | You have a new build with a long builder warranty |
| You’re selling and want to reassure buyers | You’re planning to move soon and the bond doesn’t transfer |
| The bond includes repair coverage | It only covers retreatment and the renewal is high |
Homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage, so a repair bond fills that gap. Repairs can run $600 to $3,000 or more; see termite damage repair cost.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
- Does it cover retreatment only, or repairs too? What is the repair limit?
- Which termites are covered: subterranean only, or drywood and Formosan too?
- What is the renewal price, and can it rise each year?
- Is it transferable to a new owner, and is there a fee?
- What voids it? Common exclusions include moisture problems, wood touching soil, and new construction you don’t report.
- How often are inspections, and do you get a written report?
Termite Bond vs Termite Letter
A termite letter (a WDO or clearance letter) is a one-time inspection report, usually for a home sale, stating whether termites or damage were found on that date. A bond is an ongoing contract with future inspections and retreatment. See termite inspection cost.
Compare treatment methods in termite treatment cost.
FAQs
A termite bond is a contract with a pest control company that includes regular inspections and free retreatment if termites return. Some bonds also cover repair of new damage.
Initial termite plans typically cost $500 to $2,500, including treatment, and annual renewals run about $150 to $500.
A termite bond is usually worth it in high-risk regions, for homes with past termite problems, and when selling, especially if it includes repair coverage.
Many termite bonds can be transferred to a new owner, sometimes for a fee. Check the contract terms.
A termite letter is a one-time inspection report, often for a home sale. A termite bond is an ongoing contract with annual inspections and retreatment.
Sources
- HomeGuide: Termite inspection and protection plan cost (2026)
- HomeGuide: Termite treatment cost (2026)
Facts in this guide are checked against the sources above and reviewed when they change. See how we research in our editorial policy.