What to expect with a termite inspection:

When you think you might have those small, wood-consuming pests on your premises, it’s natural to question the duration of a termite inspection. After all, you have work, family, and personal obligations to manage. Understanding the inspection’s duration can assist you in accommodating the process and requirements into your schedule or daily routine.

To comprehend the typical duration of this inspection, let’s consider a few factors that influence its speed and your expectations:

Expertise and Knowledge

If the inspector you’ve engaged is local, they’ll likely complete the task quicker than someone unfamiliar with the area. Their understanding of local pests will undoubtedly expedite the inspection.

Likewise, employing a team of experienced inspectors will probably yield quick results. This is largely due to their experience and familiarity with the comprehensive checklist, enabling them to conduct the inspection more efficiently.

Property Condition

Generally, inspecting an older house requires more time and effort than evaluating a new construction. The same applies to a heavily renovated property. A meticulous and thorough evaluation is necessary to ensure that the newly renovated property is completely free of persistent issues.

Additionally, the property’s complexity can influence the inspection’s duration. If it features unique architectural designs and features, inspecting these will undoubtedly take longer than more standard building layouts.

Infestation Extent

If the property you want inspected has a history of infestation, it could take the majority of the day for the technician to assess the extent of pest activity. This depends on how invasive the inspector can be, and remember, the larger the property, the longer the inspection will take.

Don’t worry if the inspector takes longer than anticipated to complete the assessment. After all, you want them to be thorough in their investigation rather than rush through their checklist. So if the inspection concludes in less than half an hour, inquire if there were any areas that weren’t examined. In some instances, a blocking fixture or locked access can prevent them from conducting a comprehensive job.

Unique Circumstances

You can request a termite inspection for a house you’re considering purchasing. Pre-purchase inspections, for those unfamiliar, typically take a few hours (1 to 2 hours in some cases) to complete. However, the larger the property, the longer the inspection will take.

For properties with management systems in place (for subterranean termites), the inspection can be conducted much quicker. Especially if the structure has been regularly inspected previously. In certain cases, 45 minutes to an hour will suffice for subsequent inspections.

Additional Information About Termite Inspections

Besides the factors we’ve previously discussed, there are a few more things to keep in mind when you’re concerned about the duration of a termite inspection.

Inspectors examine every corner, literally.

One reason an inspection takes so long to complete is that the technician checks every part of the home that people often overlook. These places, known as “sub spaces,” typically include the subfloor area, roof space, garage, or any sort of crawl spaces, etc.

If you want the job done quicker, you can assist by clearing these areas before the inspector arrives. Dispose of or move any item that you think will obstruct the completion of the inspection.

Inspections aren’t confined to interior spaces.

Termite inspections cover various parts of the property being checked, searching for solid evidence of the type of infestation the property owners are dealing with. Because the subsequent report must be thorough in its findings, the assessment phase must be exhaustive.

An inspection will begin from investigating exterior features all the way to the interior or vice versa. Either way, you can expect the technician to cover as much ground as possible—literally—before they reach a definitive conclusion. After all, problems like infestations aren’t best left to guesswork.

Termites are excellent at hide-and-seek.

The most accurate inspections typically take time to conclude, and that’s primarily because of one simple fact: termites are experts at staying hidden.

Because termites have fragile exoskeletons (and they’re aware of it!), they’re very cautious about what they expose themselves to. For the most part, these unwelcome guests avoid areas with sufficient airflow and bright lights. With these pests burying themselves deep inside wooden fixtures (or features), it’s challenging to spot them with the naked eye. In most cases, the inspection is conducted with the aid of specialized tools and devices.

Prevent Termite Infestations Regardless of the Time It Takes

While the duration of a termite inspection can play a significant role in your choice of inspection team, always remember that efficiency is only half the battle. The other, more crucial half is effectiveness.

What use is a termite inspection report if it isn’t thorough in its assessment? Surely, you’d prefer a detailed report delivered later rather than a rushed job that fits into your busy schedule. For the most part, you’ll need to give inspectors as much time as possible to check every crawl space potentially hiding those elusive termites. Otherwise, you and your real estate asset could be in for a world of pain.

When you need a termite inspection for a current or prospective property, contact us! Entrust the job to our capable hands, and we’ll inspect your investment efficiently without compromise.