Get a termite inspection before you buy your new home

Inspect before you buy

This is why a visual inspection is limited.  If you look at a wall inside a home that is covered with drywall and siding on the outside, can you see the wood framing inside that wall?  Well, neither can your inspector.  Since wood destroying insects are prevalent in our area of Central Pennsylvania, you must assume any home is vulnerable to infestation. Regardless of the limitations present, this visual inspection is still worthwhile performing.

If the home you’re going to purchase has signs of Wood Destroying Insect activity, then chemical treatment for the control of these insects may be recommended.  Without treatment, your new home could be eaten right out from under you and can result in costly repairs.  Your inspector will provide a separate Wood Destroying Insect inspection report that will identify his findings and any limitations to the inspection.

Winged Termite Swarmer

There are two levels of inspection: 

Level I – Wood Destroying Insect Inspection

• This inspection satisfies all residential home sale loan requirements as well as all government backed (VA, FHA, USDA) mortgage refinance requirements. 

This is a visual inspection of readily accessible areas of the structure.  It is the most commonly performed inspection for home buyers who are purchasing a home and for home owners who are refinancing there mortgage.  Why?  Because up to now this was the only level of inspection offered by home inspectors.  Depending upon the home being inspected, a visual inspection is often performed and very often identifies WDI activity when present. However, many homes have hidden areas such as insulation covering; framing in attics, above foundation walls and between floor joists.  Inspection of these areas is limited to probing with a long rod to detect soft areas of wood behind insulation where WDI damage could exist.  This represents an inspection limitation for your inspector because he can’t see behind the insulation. Another limitation occurs with the presence of drop ceiling tiles in basements that conceals framing above.  The tiles are very often difficult to move and sometimes damage to the tiles and or ceiling system can occur if moved.  So they are not moved by the inspector. Finished basements with drywall or paneling concealing framing and foundation walls, excessive occupant storage, and inaccessible areas also limit this inspection. Regardless of the limitations present, this visual inspection is still worthwhile performing and satisfies all mortgage underwriter requirements.  The home buyer can choose to have this inspection done at the same time as the home inspection.

Level II – Wood Destroying Insect Inspection

This inspection is performed for a home buyer when a more comprehensive WDI inspection is desired.  This inspection combines the (Level I) inspection with moving of insulation in attics, basements and crawlspaces where visible and accessible.  This is a more exhaustive inspection that takes significantly more time to perform.  The time and fee to perform this inspection depends upon the size of the home and the amount of accessible insulation present to be moved.  Thus the fee cannot be quoted until the inspector arrives at the home to determine the scope of the inspection. Sometimes this inspection must be scheduled for a separate day and time. 

The home buyer should indicate what level of inspection they want performed when scheduling their inspections with their home inspector.

You will be asked to sign an inspection agreement that outlines the scope and limitations of the inspection.