If you are in the process of buying a home, you probably already know that it can be stressful! There is so much to do and much paperwork that must be completed. One of the main priorities for anyone buying a home is making sure that it is safe for you and your family. That’s why you will need to arrange various inspections to check a variety of different areas of the home. One of these inspections is making sure the structural integrity of the home is intact. Termites are one of the most significant threats to the structure of a property, so it is necessary to have a termite inspection in Knoxville to ensure that the property is free of active termite activity and termite damage.

Let’s examine termite bonds and why they are important when buying or selling a home.

What Is a Wood Destroying Inspection?

When buying a home, a wood-destroying insect inspection, or WDI, is an essential part of the home inspection process. It benefits all of the involved parties, and for some home loans, including those from USDA or the VA, it will be a sale requirement. As part of this termite inspection in Knoxville , a trained pest control professional will inspect the entire property, looking for evidence of termites and other wood-destroying insects. Once the inspection has been carried out, a report will be issued to all parties detailing the results of the termite inspection in Knoxville. The report will state if there is any evidence of wood-destroying insects such as termites. It will also note if there is any evidence of previous infestations or termite treatment.

What is a Termite Bond?

Following your termite inspection in Knoxville, if your WDI report identifies the presence of termites or other wood-destroying insects, the next step is to secure a termite bond. A termite bond is essentially an insurance policy or warranty between the homeowner and a licensed pest control provider. There are two different types of termite bonds that the property might qualify for.

• Retreatment Termite Bond - This is the most common type of termite bond and provides a warranty that the home will have a termite treatment carried out if infestation reoccurs. This type of bond will not cover the cost of termite damage repairs; it will only cover the treatment.
• Repair Termite Bond - This is the more expensive option and can be as much as twice the price of a retreatment bond. It can also be a more difficult bond to obtain as the property needs to meet specific criteria. The individual terms of the repair bond will state which repairs will be covered if evidence of termites or other wood-destroying insects is found during a subsequent termite inspection in Knoxville.

It is often the case that homeowners insurance policies will not cover termite damage, so getting a termite bond can prove to be a valuable investment. Termite damage repairs can cost thousands of dollars, so having a termite bond in place can give you great peace of mind. Only certified pest control providers are able to issue a termite bond and perform a termite inspection in Knoxville. Having a bond in place when buying a home gives you peace of mind that your new home is free from termites and that if they are discovered at a later date, you have security, knowing that professional pest control technicians are going to take care of the problem immediately.

Why Is a Termite Bond Important?

Termite infestations are not handled with DIY treatment. Not only can it be a waste of money to buy over-the-counter pesticides or make DIY repairs, but it could actually make the problem worse because you are never getting to the root of the problem. It is important to have a professional termite inspection in Knoxville and to have professional termite treatment. A termite bond is a proactive way to have trained professionals monitor and treat your home for termite activity. It is often the case that termites are not found until there is visible damage, so it is beneficial to have your pest control provider visit monthly or quarterly, depending on the bond terms, to monitor the situation and catch new infestations early. This can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.

A termite bond is crucial when buying a home because it provides protection against the potential damage caused by termites. Termites can be incredibly destructive, often causing extensive harm to the structure of a house. Having a termite bond in place means that the home has been inspected for termites, and if any are found, the bond typically covers the cost of treatment and repairs. This can save the homeowner from significant financial burden down the line. Additionally, many mortgage lenders require a termite inspection and bond before approving a loan, as termites can significantly decrease the value of a property. Overall, a termite bond offers peace of mind and financial protection for both the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction.

Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.