What woodworm treatment costs

Typical prices

• Survey: £80 to £180 (London £100 to £220). The fee is often credited against treatment.
• Treatment: £50 to £80 per m² (London £65 to £100).
• Single room: £300 to £500.
• Several rooms or a large loft: £500 to £800.
• Whole house: £800 to £1,000 or more.

Another price guide puts a professional spray for a three-bed house at £500 to £1,500.

Costs outside the quote

Treatment kills the beetles but does not repair the damage. Replacing joists or boards is structural work at £500 to £2,000 or more, and a second guide puts timber replacement at £1,000 to £5,000 or more. Listed-building work can reach £5,000 to £20,000 or more.

Fixing the cause of the damp, such as a leak or poor ventilation, is a separate cost. See damp proofing costs.

What changes the price

The area of timber, how easy it is to reach, the species, and whether floors or boards must be lifted all matter. London and the South East run 20 to 30% above the national figures.

Guarantees are usually included. They commonly run 20 to 30 years with established firms, and an insurance-backed guarantee from a PCA member continues if the contractor stops trading.

Example budgets

A single bedroom with active beetles in the floor is likely to fall within £300 to £500. A large loft or several rooms sits around £500 to £800. Treating a whole house is £800 to £1,000 or more.

These are before any timber replacement. Ask each firm to price treatment and repairs separately, to say which timbers are included, and to state the guarantee length and what it covers. A written quote makes firms easy to compare.

How to avoid paying for nothing

Many holes are old and need no treatment. An independent survey at £80 to £180 can save you from a full quote you do not need. Be wary of a free inspection from a firm that only gets paid if it treats.

Councils do not treat woodworm. Learn what the specialist does on the woodworm treatment page, and see the DIY guide for small jobs.