Property fixes and removals
Woodworm treatment: cost, survey and finding a timber specialist
Woodworm treatment starts with a timber survey to confirm whether the infestation is active, because old, inactive flight holes often need no treatment at all. Where treatment is needed it usually means a targeted insecticide and fixing the damp that let woodworm thrive. Costs vary, so get a survey and quote from a PCA specialist.
Not sure what it is yet? Read the full guide to how to identify woodworm and tell active from old damage on our sister site HomesAndHedge. This page focuses on the cost, the survey and getting it fixed.
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Get matchedWhat it is
Woodworm is the larvae of wood-boring beetles. The key question is whether the infestation is active or long dead, because inactive woodworm often needs no treatment, and over-treatment is a common and avoidable cost.
This page covers the survey, the cost and finding a vetted specialist. For how to identify woodworm and tell active from old damage, see the HomesAndHedge guide linked below.
The survey and the work
A timber survey is the first step. A surveyor checks whether the flight holes are fresh, looks for bore dust and frass, and crucially identifies any damp, because woodworm thrives in damp timber and fixing the moisture often matters more than spraying.
If treatment is needed, it is usually a targeted insecticidal treatment of the affected timbers, sometimes with structural repair where beetle activity has weakened joists or floorboards.
A reputable specialist treats only what is active and addresses the underlying damp, rather than blanket-spraying a whole property.
Cost
- Timber survey
- Get a quote Some firms offer a survey free or refundable against treatment; confirm in writing.
- Treatment
- Get a quote Depends on the area affected and whether timbers need repair as well as treatment.
- Underlying damp work
- Get a quote Often the real fix; priced separately. See the damp survey page.
There is no fixed price because it depends on how much timber is affected and whether damp must be fixed too. Be wary of any quote for whole-house treatment without a survey confirming active infestation.
Who it is for
- Homeowners whose survey flagged woodworm and who need to know whether it is active and what treatment, if any, is required.
- Buyers or sellers where a mortgage valuation has raised a timber or woodworm concern.
- Anyone who has seen small round holes or bore dust in floorboards, joists or roof timbers.
The mortgage and sale angle
- A mortgage valuer who flags woodworm can lead the lender to ask for a timber report before releasing funds, so a survey from an accredited specialist is often what moves the sale forward.
- The neutral, money-saving point is that inactive woodworm frequently needs no treatment, so an independent survey can save you the cost of unnecessary work a vendor might push.
- If treatment is genuinely needed, a documented treatment with a guarantee reassures the lender and the buyer.
How to choose a vetted specialist
- Use a Property Care Association (PCA) member for the survey and any treatment; PCA members work to a recognised standard.
- Insist the survey states whether the infestation is active, and treat blanket whole-house treatment recommendations with caution.
- Get the underlying damp assessed at the same time, since that is often the real cause, and get any guarantee in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does all woodworm need treating?
No. Much woodworm damage is old and inactive and needs no treatment at all. A timber survey confirms whether the infestation is active. Treating inactive woodworm is a common and avoidable expense, so get it surveyed before agreeing to any spraying.
How much does woodworm treatment cost?
It depends on how much timber is affected, whether structural repairs are needed and whether underlying damp must be fixed. Some firms survey free or refund the survey against treatment. Get a written, itemised quote from a PCA member after a survey.
Why does damp matter with woodworm?
Most wood-boring beetles need damp timber to thrive, so fixing the source of moisture often matters more than the insecticide. A good specialist identifies and addresses the damp, not just the woodworm, which is why a proper survey is essential.
Sources
Editor, Sorted Property
Oliver leads Sorted Property's editorial coverage of UK home services. He researches and writes the plain-English guides that help homeowners choose between installers and trades, drawing on the standards set by bodies such as MCS, TrustMark, the Energy Saving Trust and the Property Care Association, and is clear about what to check before any work starts.
Last reviewed: 11 June 2026