Do I Need a WDI Inspection to Buy a House?

Before you can buy or sell a home in North Carolina, there is a seemingly infinite list of details to attend to. For sellers that might include finding the right agent, appraisals, and the listing process. For buyers, that will likely include applying with a lender, determining your criteria, and going to showings. It should also include a WDI inspection with a follow-up wood-destroying insect report.

No matter what side of the fence you’re on though, you’ll face a checklist of inspections that need to be performed before the closing. General inspections, radon testing, mold inspection, and, of course, wood-destroying insect inspection report—also known as a WDIR. 

A-1 Pest Control has been fulfilling WDI inspection requirements for North Carolina residents for decades. Using everything we know, we’ve created your guide to what it is, why you should get one before buying, and where and when to do so. 

What is a WDIR? 

Sometimes referred to as a termite inspection, a wood-destroying insect report (WDIR) is required in order to sell both residential and commercial properties in North Carolina.

In some cases, an official NPMA-33 form is required when reporting the results of a WDI inspection for HUD/VA guaranteed property transactions. The NPMA-33 WDI inspection report includes reported activity or damage from wood-destroying insects, which includes termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-boring beetles, among other wood-destroying insects.

In order for the NPMA-33 and WDIR to meet requirements, the WDI inspection will need to be completed by a qualified inspector, who can fill out the required form in accordance with your city or county codes. 

A-1 Pest Control has completed thousands of WDI reports in North Carolina, and our decades of pest control experience have made us experts in identifying the insects a WDIR refers to.

A WDIR investigation includes any activity from: 

• Subterranean termites
• Powder post beetles
• Old house borers
• Carpenter ants 
• Carpenter bees 

What Happens During a WDI Inspection?

During the WDIR inspection, the qualified inspector starts by thoroughly examining the property for signs of active or previous wood-destroying pests and damage. Only areas of the home that are easily accessible are examined, so crawl spaces or areas behind walls are not addressed. Potential infestations or the risk for them, are not required to be noted—only current and past visible issues. 

Then, the inspector makes thorough notes based on the initial inspection, noting both any insects found and signs of pests that include: 

• Termite droppings
• Termites swarming 
• Discarded termite wings
• Damaged wood
• Wood dust 

Do I Need a WDIR to Buy a House?

You do not always need a WDIR to buy a house, but many industry experts recommend that you have one before taking additional steps. In most cases, you can simply request a WDIR from the seller or their representative, as they should have had one conducted before the sale. 

Do I Need a WDIR to Sell a House?

Yes, a WDIR is required to sell a home or business in North Carolina. In some cases, a mortgage company will not even give a mortgage without proof of this report. 

When Should I Get a WDIR? 

It is recommended that you get a WDIR before listing the home for sale, in order to speed up the process of selling and buying. 

You can really get a WDIR at any time if you would like to, whether it’s for your own peace of mind or to fulfill a requirement. If you see any evidence of these pests common to North Carolina, such as termite swarms, flying termites, or termite droppings, it’s a good idea to have an expert conduct an inspection. 

How Do I Get a WDIR?

Getting a WDI inspection, an official NPMA-33 and a WDIR is fairly simple. Contact a qualified WDI inspector near you and schedule a time to visit the property and perform the inspection. After the WDI inspection, an experienced inspector will fill out the report correctly, and even file it with the proper offices. 

What Happens If Wood-Destroying Insects Are Found? 

If your WDIR-qualified inspector is also a qualified pest-control specialist—like those at A-1 Pest Control in North Carolina—they can develop a treatment plan to get rid of termites in the case that any are found.

If you are selling a house, that means you can get your property on the market quickly. And if you are buying, you’ll know that you are up to date on the required inspections for your new home, and any pesky insects that might threaten it have been taken care of. 

Schedule a WDI Inspection in North Carolina

Looking for a WDIR-qualified inspector in North Carolina? A-1 Pest Control has been serving Western North Carolina communities for over 25 years, keeping homes and families safe. Our team can take care of every step of the wood-destroying insect report, from performing the inspection to submitting the NPMA-33 and other paperwork, to addressing any infestation found. 

We also provide radon testing and mitigation services for properties in North Carolina. Our WDI inspection and pest control service areas span a 30-mile radius around our 5 offices in Lenoir, Mooresville, Hickory, West Jefferson, and Blowing Rock.

Contact us at 800-532-PEST or fill out the form below to schedule a WDI inspection.