Does homeowner insurance pay for termite damage?
Almost never. Standard homeowner policies covering San Jose homes exclude termite damage as preventable and gradual. That means treatment and repair costs fall on the owner. It is the main reason San Jose providers push early inspections and renewal contracts.
How much does termite fumigation cost?
Fumigation for a San Jose home is priced by the volume under the tent, with typical published ranges of $1 to $4 per square foot. A typical single-family house in San Jose lands between $1,200 and $4,000, and large or complex homes run higher.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
Around San Jose, California, expect about $100 to $200 for a WDI inspection with a written report. Larger homes and difficult crawl spaces cost more. If the San Jose inspector finds nothing, the report itself is still valuable for a sale or refinance.
Why do termite quotes vary so much?
Two San Jose, California providers looking at the same house may recommend different methods. Barriers are priced per foot, baits per station, fumigation by volume. Ask each San Jose company to explain how they arrived at their number.
Do I have to leave my house during termite treatment?
Only for fumigation. Soil treatments, baits, and localized wood treatments on a San Jose house do not require you to leave. If the San Jose provider recommends tenting, plan two to three nights away and ask about arrangements for aquariums, medications, and pets.
What does a WDI report include?
Expect a form with checkboxes and a diagram of the San Jose house. The inspector marks where evidence was found and whether active. Recommendations for treatment or repair follow. Lenders in San Jose usually want the report dated within about 30 days of closing.
Does fumigation kill subterranean termites too?
No. Fumigation kills every termite inside the tented San Jose home, but subterranean colonies live in the soil and simply come back. Subterranean termites need a soil barrier or bait system. A San Jose inspector who finds both species will recommend both treatments.
Do most homeowners know termites can damage their house?
Surprisingly, many do not. San Jose is not an outlier on this point: Fifty-eight percent of U.S. homeowners knew that termites could damage buildings, according to a Harris Poll of 2,087 adults conducted online for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in early 2026; the figure measures awareness among homeowners, not how many homes have termite damage. Providers serving San Jose should be able to explain how their recommendation fits what they actually found on your property.
Is termite prevention cheaper than repairing termite damage?
Many homeowners are not sure. The same question comes up in San Jose: Forty-five percent of U.S. homeowners in National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and Harris Poll research released March 24, 2026, believed termite prevention costs less than repairing damage, a stated belief rather than a measured comparison of what households paid. San Jose homeowners comparing quotes should ask each provider which of these patterns they see locally and why.