Every real estate transaction requires a wood destroying organism (WDO) inspection and report to be completed by a licensed termite inspector. In the past, home Buyers and Sellers were limited to calling a termite or pest control company to perform a WDO inspection. Frequently, the reports they received were compromised because some WDO inspectors were less than forthcoming. Why? Because of vested interest. If the home that is being inspected has been under a termite bond by the company for whom the inspector works, either currently or in the recent past, the WDO inspector is disinclined to report significant termite damage. Too, all too often, WDO inspectors are swayed in their inspecting services by the fact that their primary interest in conducting the inspection is to sell continuing treatment services. Home inspectors, on the other hand, are not in the business of selling pest control services or any other type of service that calls for paying additional fees. In fact, that is contrary to the standards of practice upheld by the national home inspectors associations.

However, things are changing. Many home inspectors today are completing the special training and state certification requirements for WDO inspecting so they can offer an unbiased WDO report in addition to the standard home inspection. Apart from the obvious advantages of convenience and time savings, the home inspector who is licensed for WDO inspecting can now give an unbiased WDO report without his professionalism being compromised, because he is not involved in selling post-inspection pest control treatment services. Ask your home inspector if he is licensed for WDO inspecting. If so, then you may enjoy both convenience and peace of mind from the expanded services.