Scope of a Texas
WDI Inspection.
What a Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report covers, what the inspector examines, and exactly what the SPCS T-5 form documents, written plainly for buyers, agents and lenders across Fort Bend County and the west Houston corridor.
More than a
termite inspection.
A WDI inspection is an official visual inspection of a structure governed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The result is a Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report, the SPCS T-5, and it is one of the more consequential documents in a Texas real estate transaction.
The report covers more than termites. It documents evidence of wood destroying insects generally, including subterranean and Formosan termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and re infesting wood boring beetles. It records active infestation, evidence of past activity, and conditions that make infestation more likely.
The inspection is strictly visual. The inspector examines the readily accessible areas of the structure without removing wall coverings, defacing any surface or performing destructive testing. What is found is documented. What is not accessible is noted as such.
VA transactions in Texas require the report. FHA and conventional lenders frequently require it, and cash buyers have no lender requiring anything on their behalf, which is its own reason to have the document. For a buyer, the report is also leverage, since documented findings give you something concrete to take back to the seller or the builder.
Imperial Pro performs these inspections on slab on grade foundations only. Pier and beam and crawlspace properties require subfloor entry we do not perform.
Areas the inspector
examines.
Texas Administrative Code section 7.175 requires the inspector to examine the accessible and unobstructed areas of the structure. These are the zones covered on every Imperial Pro inspection.
Wood destroying insects
covered by the report.
The Texas Official WDI report covers more than termites. Any of the following found in or on the structure is documented by type, location and whether the evidence indicates active or previous activity.
The most common species across Fort Bend County and west Houston. They build mud tubes from soil to wood and can work inside a structure for a long time before anything becomes visible.
An invasive subterranean species established across the Houston area. Colonies grow larger and faster than native ones and can nest inside a wall cavity without maintaining soil contact.
Carpenter ants excavate galleries in moist or damaged wood. Carpenter bees bore round entry holes into fascia and decking. Both are documented wherever evidence is found.
Re infesting wood boring beetles, including powder post beetles and old house borers, documented when exit holes, frass or live beetles are observed during the inspection.
Full statutory coverage. The SPCS T-5 form covers every wood destroying insect recognized by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and anything observed is reported regardless of type. The species above are simply the ones encountered most often in this market.
Official scope of inspection,
clauses A through J.
The clauses below are the official Texas Department of Agriculture scope of inspection exactly as they appear on every Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report. Every Imperial Pro client receives a completed copy with the report.
This inspection covers only the multi-family structure, primary dwelling or place of business. Sheds, detached garages, lean-tos, fences, guest houses or any other structure will not be included unless specifically noted in Section 5 of this report.
This inspection is limited to those parts of the structure(s) that are visible and accessible at the time of the inspection. Examples of inaccessible areas include but are not limited to (1) areas concealed by wall coverings, furniture, equipment and stored articles and (2) any portion of the structure in which inspection would necessitate removing or defacing any part of the structure(s). Inspection does not cover any condition or damage which was not visible at time of inspection but which may be revealed in the course of repair or replacement work.
Due to the characteristics and behavior of various wood destroying insects, it may not always be possible to determine the presence of infestation without defacing or removing parts of the structure. Previous damage is frequently repaired prior to the inspection with putty, spackling, tape or other devices. Damage that has been concealed or repaired may not be visible except by defacing the surface appearance. The WDI inspecting company cannot guarantee that work performed by a previous pest control company has rendered the pest(s) inactive.
If visible evidence of active or previous infestation of listed wood destroying insects is reported, it should be assumed that some degree of damage is present.
If visible evidence is reported, it does not imply that damage should be repaired or replaced. Inspectors of the inspection company usually are not engineers or builders qualified to give an opinion regarding the degree of structural damage. Evaluation of damage and any corrective action should be performed by a qualified expert.
This is not a structural damage report or a warranty as to the absence of wood destroying insects.
If termite treatment has been recommended, the treating company must provide a diagram of the structure(s) inspected, label of pesticides to be used, and complete details of warranty (if any). Information regarding treatment and any warranties should be provided by the party contracting for such services to any prospective buyers of the property.
There are a variety of termite control options offered by pest control companies. These options will vary in cost, efficacy, areas treated, warranties, treatment techniques and renewal options.
Corrective treatment may only be recommended if (1) there is visible evidence of an active infestation in or on the structure, or (2) there is visible evidence of a previous infestation with no evidence of prior treatment.
If treatment is recommended based solely on the presence of conducive conditions, a preventive treatment or correction of conducive conditions may be recommended. There may be a variety of different strategies to correct the conducive condition(s), varying greatly in cost and effectiveness. If you have questions, you may contact the inspector, another licensed pest control operator for a second opinion, and/or the Structural Pest Control Service of the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Texas Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Service.
The SPCS T-5 is the official state form for all Texas WDI inspections. TDA License #0801793 and TPCL #796739.
What a WDI inspection
does not cover.
A WDI inspection is a visual inspection of accessible areas. Understanding what it does not include matters as much as knowing what it does.
The Texas Official WDI report documents what the inspector observed on the date of inspection. It is not a guarantee that the structure is free of wood destroying insects, and it does not certify that a previously treated infestation has been eliminated.
Where evidence of active or previous infestation is found, it should be assumed that some degree of damage is present. Evaluating how much damage exists is the work of a qualified structural professional rather than the WDI inspector.
Our role is to give you an accurate, thorough visual record of what the property shows. That record is the foundation for decisions about treatment, repairs and the transaction itself. If treatment is warranted, we can refer you to a licensed treatment provider, and you are free to use any operator you prefer.
From inspection to report,
typically within 24 hours.
Request your inspection online. We schedule around closing deadlines and option periods across Fort Bend County, Katy, Fulshear, Cypress and Sealy.
A TDA licensed inspector examines the accessible areas, including the foundation perimeter, exterior, interior wood elements and the attic where it can be entered safely. Findings are documented in the field.
Your Texas Official WDI report is typically delivered within 24 hours, with the HUD NPMA-33 available when your lender requires it. Findings are recorded by location, insect type and status.
Use the report to negotiate repairs, satisfy the lender condition or arrange treatment. Where treatment is warranted, we can refer you to a licensed treatment provider to discuss options.
Before you buy,
get a WDI.
Texas Official WDI reports typically within 24 hours, with the NPMA-33 available when your lender requires it. Slab on grade residential starting at $195 plus tax. Serving Fort Bend County, Katy, Fulshear, Cypress and Sealy.