Evaluating Homes: Termite Damage

Of course it's nice that the seller will pay to have theDestructive and invasive testing can cost you an arm
termite problem treated, which will normally costand a leg, although you'll need to have it done if you
around $1,000 or so. Even though the termites will besuspect termites or know for a fact that the home
gone, you have to wonder about the damage to thewas treated for them. To protect yourself, you should
structure. In the more severe cases, damage to thealways get a treatment and repair history before you
structure can cost up to 50 times the cost of thepurchase the home. If you are renting the home, you'll
treatment. The last thing you want is to move into aneed get written documentation from the specialist
home that you know has been treated for termites,that details the damage to the home and cost of
only to find the structure to be in very bad shape.repairs.
If any type of damage was done to the woodenBefore you buy a home, you should always have it
structure of the home, you may need to getchecked for termites. There are a lot of termite
immediate repairs. While some damage may be visible,inspection companies out there, many of which go
there are other types of damage that may seemabove and beyond to check the home for any type of
invisible to the naked eye. To find out just how bad thetermite damage. You don't want to buy a home only
damage is, carpets and rugs will need to be lifted,to find out that it has been infested with termites. If you
furniture and appliances moved, walls and ceilings willhave the proper inspections performed before you
need to be opened, and even some types ofmake the purchase, you'll know for a fact that you
excavation may be needed. This is the only way to telldon't have to worry about termites or termite damage.
the extent of the damages, especially in cases ofIf the inspector or contractor doesn't find any termite
termites. If you don't inspect every area of the home,damage, you should always have it documented. This
you could be moving into a home that has severeway, if termite damage does exist, you'll have the
structural damage - which can cost you thousands todocumentation to back you up. Termites can be very
repair.destructive to your home, especially if you are looking
There could also be latent damage present as well. Totowards a log home. Termites can destroy wood in
determine this, you'll need to have invasive andlittle to no time at all, which is why you should always
destructive testing performed on your home, which willdo what you can to have your home treated as soon
performed by qualified contractors and specialists. Thisas you suspect any type of damage. If you know a
will help to determine the extent of the damage andhome has been infested with termites before - you
the cost of any needed repairs. This can be veryshould really make sure that the structure isn't
costly however, although it's the only way to find anddamaged and the termites are gone before you
repair any latent damage.commit to buying.