WDO Inspection in Houston

What a WDO Inspection Covers

A WDO inspection is a thorough visual examination of all readily accessible areas of a structure, including interior and exterior areas, attics or crawlspaces with sufficient clearance, decks, porches, and attached structures. Areas that would require disassembly to access are outside the scope, and any inaccessible areas are noted in the report.

The inspection covers the full range of wood-destroying organisms found in the Houston area:

• Termites: Subterranean, drywood, and Formosan termites
• Carpenter Ants and Carpenter Bees
• Re-infesting Wood-Boring Beetles

The inspector looks for three distinct categories of findings: active infestation, evidence of prior infestation, and conducive conditions. Conducive conditions are structural or environmental factors that invite activity, such as wood-to-soil contact, excessive moisture, and damaged or decayed wood. Identifying them matters even when no active infestation is present.

The Official Texas WDO Report: SPCS/T-5 & NPMA-33

In Texas, the official state WDO report is completed on the SPCS/T-5 form issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Service. Only a certified applicator or licensed technician in the termite control category can complete and sign it. VA loan transactions require the SPCS/T-5, while the NPMA-33 is the nationally standardized wood-destroying insect inspection form often accepted for FHA and some conventional loan closings. Both documents cover the same core findings: whether visible evidence of wood-destroying insects was observed, the type and location of any evidence, and whether treatment is recommended.

Who Needs a WDO Inspection in Houston

Lender requirements determine whether a WDO inspection is mandatory, but the decision to get one isn’t only about loan type.

• VA Loan Buyers: A WDI inspection is required before the lender can fund. The report must come from a TDA-licensed pest control operator on an approved form.
• FHA Buyers: FHA lenders frequently require a WDO inspection when an appraiser notes termite activity or conducive conditions during the appraisal.
• Conventional and Cash Buyers: Not required, but Houston’s year-round termite pressure means skipping the inspection carries real undisclosed risk.
• Sellers Preparing to List: A pre-listing WDO inspection lets sellers identify and address findings before they surface during the buyer’s due diligence, reducing the chance of a delayed or failed closing.
• Commercial Buyers and Lenders: WDO inspections are standard practice in commercial due diligence before acquisition or lease execution.