FAQ:  Wood Destroying Organism Inspection

(Also known as WDO Inspections)

Here are some the questions we have run across in the past 29 years in the Real Estate Business here in Northeast Florida.

When can WDO not be done?

WDO work is a requestable item from the repair inspection. It is typically always requested and done. In addition, an appraiser may note wdo repairs which the lender may then require it to be repaired. The only time wdo work is not to be done is if:

1. There is an as-is addendum

2. Another addendum saying no wdo work is to be done

3. If the wdo paragraph was crossed out

4. If language is written in additional terms saying no wdo work will be done

The same could be said about home inspection repairs. However, the lender must be ok with no wdo being done!

When does the work need to be done by?

According to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtor's Purchase and Sale Agreement WDO work is suppose to be done within 10 days of them receiving the wdo report and loan approval. Make sure you have a re-inspect ordered before closing. (Home inspections repairs have the same time frame).

Can a seller remove the wdo stickers left by inspector?

There is not anything in the contract that I can remember that says one thing or another about the wdo dots. The wdo inspection states where the problems are in the report. The dots are just visual cues to help see the areas. It is a detriment to the seller to remove them because they may move a spot and their contractor may not be able to find the damage with no visual cue to mark the area.

However, the wdo inspector will most likely remember the area and will mark it on the inspection report when the come back for the reinspect. Then the seller will have to go back and fix it.

What can I do if I am about to go to closing and the repairs are not done?

At this point you can extend the closing to give time for the work to be done

• We can get a bid from a contractor and bill the seller that amount on the closing statement. However, the cost of the work may exceed the bid once they get started and find more work to be done.

• We can get a bid from a contractor and hold that amount in escrow (title company does) until work is done. Typically we try to escrow 1.5 times the bid amount to make sure it can cover any extra work that is found once the job is started.

• The seller can just credit the buyer an amount that is agreed on.

Please remember that if WDO work is not done then the lender may not allow it to close. It depends on the lender's guidelines. Instead of doing the work, the lender will sometimes allow a structural letter to be done saying that there is wdo damage but none of it effects the structural integrity of the house (i.e. a fence, etc.) Typically cost about $100.  

I hope this helps clear up any questions you may of had about the wood destroying organism inspection.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 904-273-0125, 800-999-0245 or by filling out the form below: