Termite tenting and treatment cost estimator

How the estimate works

Companies price termite work in two ways, and the calculator follows them:

• Whole-structure treatments for drywood termites, tent fumigation and heat, are priced by the square foot of the home. HomeGuide lists $1 to $4 per sq ft for fumigation and $1 to $3 per sq ft for heat.
• Soil and bait treatments for subterranean termites are priced by the linear foot around the foundation. HomeGuide lists $3 to $20 per linear ft for liquid treatment and $7 to $12 per linear ft for bait stations.

Range = quantity x low rate, to quantity x high rate. An inspection adds $0 to $250, since many companies waive it when you book the treatment. If you leave the perimeter blank, the calculator assumes a square footprint: perimeter = 4 x √(floor area ÷ stories).

Worked example

A 2,000 sq ft single-story home with drywood termites: 2,000 x $1 = $2,000 and 2,000 x $4 = $8,000. With an inspection the range is $2,000 to $8,250. Angi's typical tenting range of $2,000 to $5,000 sits in the lower half of that.

The same house treated for subterranean termites with liquid: perimeter about 4 x √2,000 = 179 ft, so 179 x $3 = $537 to 179 x $20 = $3,578.

Which treatment fits

Tenting and heat treat the whole structure at once, which is why they are used for drywood termites that live inside the wood. UC IPM notes that fumigation means leaving the house for several days while heat clears it in hours, but heat can miss heavy beams and wood on concrete. Subterranean termites nest in the soil, so they are treated with a soil barrier or baits instead. See our termite bait station calculator for station counts.

Limits

These are national figures. Tile roofs, attached structures, multi-unit buildings and repairs to damaged wood all add cost, and prices vary by region. Get at least three written inspections and quotes from licensed companies.