Know what the inspection is answering
A wood-destroying-organism inspection is a specific piece of a home purchase, not a substitute for every other inspection. Florida's official FDACS WDO report states that its findings are based on visible, readily accessible areas at the time of inspection. It is not a general guarantee that organisms or damage are absent. The report also distinguishes its work from a structural-damage assessment.
Before scheduling, ask the provider what structures and areas the engagement covers, what access is needed and who will receive the written report. Confirm the company's licensing and the inspector's identification through the appropriate state resources. If your lender requests a particular report, make sure the provider knows that before the visit.
Read inaccessible areas before celebrating a clear result
The state report has a section for obstructions and inaccessible areas, including locations such as attics and crawlspaces. It does not provide WDO status for the areas it could not examine. Read those entries alongside the findings. A result from accessible areas does not answer what is hidden behind stored items, finishes or other obstructions.
Ask the inspector whether additional access would be useful and how any follow-up should be arranged. Do not move or damage the seller's belongings or building materials yourself. Coordinate access with the seller and the professionals involved, then keep a dated record of what was and was not reviewed.
Separate activity, damage and treatment paperwork
Prepare three questions: what did the inspector observe, what additional evaluation is recommended, and what treatment or warranty documents are available? The FDACS form separately addresses live organisms, evidence, damage and prior treatment. It directs consumers to the company that performed earlier treatment for details of its service or warranty.
If damage is identified, ask an appropriately qualified building professional about its significance and repair scope. A treatment proposal and a repair proposal answer different questions. If a seller offers a warranty, request its actual terms, any transfer conditions and the provider's written confirmation. Avoid interpreting the existence of past treatment as proof of either a current infestation or a completely resolved issue.
Your WDO follow-through checklist
- Confirm the inspection scope, provider credentials and lender needs.
- Read both pages of the report, including inaccessible areas.
- Ask the inspector to explain each observed condition and limitation.
- Obtain separate repair evaluation when structural questions arise.
- Request prior treatment, service and warranty documents.
- Resolve negotiations and any reinspection within contract deadlines.
Keep this report beside the rest of your inspection file and the purchase timeline. Mo can coordinate the real-estate communication and access; pest-control and building professionals provide their own findings. This guide does not diagnose infestation, certify structural safety or promise that a clean-looking home is free of hidden damage. The useful outcome is a documented decision, including the limitations you understand and any work still required.