TOPIC: Inspecting for the Bugs

Does anyone offer WDI or termite inspections as an ancillary inspection? In New Jersey it is very common for the Home Inspector to offer the service and either subcontract it out or self perform. There is no certification necessary for it although many Home Inspectors here have pesticide applicators licenses.(which is irrelevant to an inspection) Many online schools offer classes which produce credentials which is nice to have. Nachi offers a pretty good free class on WDI in their education are. Most state universities offer the pesticide licenses through their agricultural programs. I noticed that one post in the marketing ideas thread mentioned termite inspections as a one stop shop, it's a good idea. The link below is to a PDF which is the standard form that we use for bug inspections. The form will populate with info. but will not save.(you have to print right away) If you do not already use this form it is a good link to have because it is the standard form recognized by most mortgage companies. I am trying to find a way to add it as a document to HIP and still have it function as an application.

Enjoy, Drew

www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/forms/files/npma-33.pdf

Drew,
There will be 2 standards of thinking on this issue.  One group of inspectors does not want to inspect for WDO's(Wood Destroying Organisms) because of the liability that comes along with it if you should happen to miss a nest of termites or wood boring beetle's.  Since home inspections are non invasive, it is possible to miss insects hidden in walls or under insulation.  The second category of inspector's, like myself, get certified and inspect for them just like anything else.  I am there anyway.  You just have to make sure that your contract is clear on what you can and cannot see.  The great state of Washington has pretty much made it mandatory for home inspector's to be licensed as Structural Pest Inspectors.  Anything to do with "conducive" conditions, falls under the structural pest guidelines.  This includes damaged gutters/downspouts, water leaks, rotted anything etc...  The NPMA-33 is used primarily by FHA/VA for their respective pest reports.

Rob

Yes we (most) use a separate addendum to our agreements for WDO/WDI inspections. This is because (as you said) of the added liability involved in such an inspection. The NPMA 33 is about the only form that we use FHA or otherwise. The Banks and Mortgage houses ask for it. Do you have a different standard form that you use? I am always interested in these things whether I can use it or not. ;D

Drew

Drew,
If a bank is asking for the pest form it almost always the NPMA-33 that I issue.  Other than that I use the WSPCA(Washington State Pest Control Association) form, or just place my ICN(Inspection Control Number) at the top of my report and use that with a diagram available upon request.

Rob

Drew, I perform them along with the inspection on most of mine. I also do them for some of the brokers at the offices I worrk out of. Its and extra $65.
In Indiana we have to take the same training as the pest control companies. We even have the same license except ours has a limitation of just inspections.
Its also a way of getting repeat business.
Most pest inspection companies only give a warranty if they can re inspect yearly. This cost is usually $100+ dollars. I have thought about doing the same thing.
I have thought about sending cards out the month before the year is up and offering a reinspection on the property and a annual pest inspection.
In indiana the stated chemist is in charge of WDI. I took my classes at Purdue University where their offices are located.We use the NPMA 33 form for all inspections.
The biggest thing is to documant everything at the Home. If the walls and ceilings are finished in the basement then it better say it in the report, as long as I follow what the state chemist tells me to do they will back me if there is a complaint.
I say go for it. I make enough off it it to pay for my Van and insurance.
for the year.

You can merge the NPMA33 form with your inspection report as an addendum and even upload it using our separate upload service program (won't work through the main program yet). We will be integrating the NPMA33 soon and have a drawing feature in the works as well for sketching a home out.