Why landed homes need a closer look
Landed houses sit directly on the soil, often have gardens, timber roof structures, wooden doors and built-in carpentry, and may be decades old. That gives subterranean termites more ways in than a high-floor flat. Drywood termites can also live inside timber and furniture. Fresh paint, new skirting or recent carpentry can hide older damage, so a viewing alone isn't enough.
When to arrange it
- Before you commit. Ask the seller (through the agents) for access so an operator can inspect before you exercise the option to purchase, while you can still walk away or renegotiate. Agree the timing with your agent and lawyer.
- Before renovation. If you're planning major works or a rebuild, inspect and plan treatment before carpentry goes in. See pre-renovation termite treatment.
- Before moving furniture in. Treating an empty house is simpler, and you won't be moving your own furniture around a treatment.
What the operator should check
- Mud tubes on walls, columns, pipes and the base of the house, inside and out.
- Door frames, window frames, skirting, staircases and built-in cabinets (tapping for hollow-sounding wood).
- Roof space and timber roof structures where they can be reached.
- The garden: tree stumps, timber decking, planter boxes and wood stored against walls.
- Signs of drywood termites: small piles of pellet-like droppings and tiny holes in timber or furniture.
- Evidence of past treatment, such as bait stations or drill holes, and whether the seller has records or a warranty.
Some operators use moisture meters or thermal imaging to look behind surfaces without opening them. Ask what equipment they'll use.
What to ask for in writing
- Whether there is active termite activity, old damage, or both, and where.
- Which species they believe it is, and how they confirmed it. See subterranean vs drywood termites.
- Photos of what they found.
- The recommended treatment, an itemised quote, the number of visits and what the warranty covers.
- Any areas they couldn't access, so you know what wasn't checked.
What it costs (indicative)
- Inspection: free at some operators. KakiList notes some providers charge a S$30–50 site-visit fee (KakiList, Pest Control Cost in Singapore (2026), updated Apr 2026), and PestClinic's FAQ gives S$180 as a starting point for initial inspections (PestClinic, Termite Treatment).
- Baiting with monitoring: from S$700 per year (Rentokil Singapore, Termite Treatment Price in Singapore).
- Soil treatment for an existing building: from S$1,600. Pre-construction soil treatment for rebuilds: from S$900, based on floor area (Rentokil Singapore, Termite Treatment Price in Singapore).
- Drywood foaming: from S$300 (Rentokil Singapore, Termite Treatment Price in Singapore).
Prices checked on 26 October 2026. These are published ranges and starting prices, not quotes. Your price depends on inspection. More in the termite price guide.
Using the findings
If the inspection finds activity, you can ask the seller to treat before completion, factor the treatment quote into your offer, or simply budget for it. Talk to your agent and lawyer about what's appropriate for your purchase. Either way, it's better to know before you sign than after you move in.
Questions
Does a general home inspection cover termites?
Not always in detail. A general home inspector may note visible signs, but an NEA-licensed pest control operator is better placed to identify the species, assess activity and quote for treatment. Ask what each inspection covers.
Can I inspect a landed house before buying?
Usually, with the seller's permission. Arrange access through the agents and agree the timing before you commit to the purchase.
Is old termite damage a problem if there's no activity?
Old damage may need repair, and it shows termites have reached the house before. Ask the operator whether the colony was treated, whether there's any warranty, and whether they recommend monitoring.
Related
More guides
- Signs of termites in an HDB flat, and where to look
- Bed bugs after travel: how to avoid bringing them home
- How much does termite treatment cost in Singapore?
- Termite baiting vs soil treatment (chemical barrier)
- Bed bug treatment: cost and preparation checklist
- How to choose an NEA-licensed pest control operator
- How to tell if you have bed bugs
- Termite treatment for HDB flats
- Bed bug treatment: heat vs chemical, and how to prepare
- Subterranean vs drywood termites: how to tell them apart
- Pre-renovation termite treatment: is it worth it?
- Termites in a condo: working with your MCST
- Bed bugs and second-hand furniture: check before you bring it home
- Termites (white ants) in wooden furniture: signs and what to do
- Bed bugs in a rented room or flat: a guide for tenants and landlords
Buying a landed home and want it inspected? Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll pass your request to up to 3 NEA-licensed operators who cover your area. It's free, with no obligation.