First, a quick disclaimer: I can only speak to what you can expect from a California Termite inspection. Not every company operates the way we do—and frankly, we think that’s a good thing.

Call Before Going:

We always call or text when we’re on our way. It might sound simple, but you’d be surprised how many people seem caught off guard when a termite inspector just shows up. We respect your time and want you to know we’re en route.

Reliable Arrival Times:

Most companies provide a two-hour window for arrival—and for good reason. Homes vary. Some are easy to inspect and graph; others are more complex. At California Termite, the owner personally builds the schedule, so we account for how long each job realistically takes. For example, inspecting a 10,000 sq ft home in Rancho Santa Fe isn’t the same as inspecting a 2,000 sq ft tract home. If your appointment is for 10:00 AM, we aim to show up at 10:00 AM—not anytime between 10 and noon.

Initial Interview:

When we arrive, we’ll start by asking a few questions about your home:

• How long have you lived here?
  
  
• Has the home ever been tented?
  
  
• Have you experienced any swarming?
  
  
• Has the attic ever been borate-treated?
  
  

We want to understand the home’s history so we can set expectations. If you’re firmly against fumigation, we need to know that. But if you’ve seen swarmers in recent years, tenting might be the most effective option, and we’ll walk you through why.

A Thorough Inspection:

If you’re avoiding tenting, we have to be extra thorough to find and treat every infestation area. But even if fumigation is on the table, we’re still going to inspect thoroughly. Why? Because we’re creating an official record of your home’s condition. That helps us identify what’s old versus new and track treatment success over time. It also lets us clean or mask old termite evidence so it won’t be mistaken for new activity later.

Respect for Your Home:

Some inspectors treat your home like a piñata—probing aggressively to find every bit of hidden damage. The result? Your wood ends up looking like a dartboard. Usually, this approach comes from inspectors who are motivated to sell wood repairs. But repairs are expensive, and not all visible damage requires immediate replacement. At California Termite, we take a conservative approach: identify the issue, explain your options, and leave the final decision to you.

Minimal Mess:

The messiest part of an inspection is usually around the attic entrance—thanks to insulation and debris. That’s why our inspectors carry a hand vacuum. We clean up after ourselves. We also wear shoe covers to protect your floors.

Full Transparency:

We love what we do—so yes, we get a little excited when we find termite evidence. But that excitement comes with transparency. After the inspection, we’ll walk you through our findings. If you want to follow us during the inspection, that’s fine too.

(Pro tip: Our inspectors cut the thumb tips off their gloves—so they can take photos of what they find without having to remove them. Just one of the small ways we try to be efficient and thoughtful.)

On-the-Spot Pricing:

No waiting for management approval. No runaround. We’ll review the treatment strategy and give you the pricing before we leave your property. And we won’t pressure you into making a decision on the spot. Our quotes are valid the next day, the next week—whenever you’re ready.

Fast Turnaround on Reports:

You won’t have to wait a week or more to get your termite report. Typically, we send your official report—including diagrams and recommendations—by the next day.

At California Termite, we serve you. Our goal is to help you resolve your termite issue in the most effective, hassle-free, and economical way possible. We’re not looking for a quick sale—we’re building long-term relationships.

If that sounds good to you, click here to schedule your free termite inspection.