In New Mexico, they are done by two different companies.

In Pennsylvania and Georgia they were done separately. Ask if they are certified and insured to do both. I would imagine a home inspector could see infestation from just looking, but it's not always evident.

I've purchased homes in Ohio, Michigan, Colorado, California and Tennessee, all the termite inspections in these states were done independent of the home inspection. Actually home inspectors in all cases if they suspected any other problem at all would state that the problem (furnace, fireplace, roof, foundation etc.) needed to be re inspected by a specialist in those areas. I can't see where a typical home inspector would have the expertise that a termite inspector has.

Bought and sold in Virginia and Ohio. Termite is a separate inspection performed by a specialist and usually specified as such in a standard contract.

minet, your agent is correct. The pest/dryrot inspection is part of the whole house inspection in Oregon. You should pay between $300 - $400 for everything.

Interesting that everyone else said separate, but in Oregon it's different. Do the home inspectors here get special training to look for termites?

I called a termite company this afternoon and was told their inspection is $200.

And I forgot that this house was inspected about a month ago when it first went under contract (fell out in escrow) and that inspection report is being given to us this weekend. So I'll see what that says.

Thanks, everyone.

When we bought our home in Massachusetts in 1983, termites were found. The house was treated, and we maintained the "contract, which involved an annual inspection, every year until we sold last year.

Our buyers didn't have a separate termite inspection, but we did provide something from the termite company stating that the house was termite-free.

Since you are the buyers, and seem to feel the need for a termite inspection, why not get one? I would think you would have the right to get one if you want.

HTH,
Ellen

You should call a licensed home inspector. In Oregon pest/dryrot inspections are not done just by pest control companies who are also selling services. A licensed inspector can perform just a pest/dryrot inspection or include it with a whole house inspection. I never understood hiring a pest control company to tell you whether or not you have a pest problem. It seems like they are always going to find a problem to treat.

Terriks -- that's just not true,pest control companies that do termite inspections do not always find a problem, we've always had a separate termite inspection and at no time were termites ever found.

The Oregon SOP (see link below) excludes the inspection for wood destroying insects from a home inspection...AND if a home inspector is offering such an ancillary service, they must specifically cite it in the contract inclusive of an extra fee (if charged).

That said, you should determine if indeed your state certifies or licenses such inspectors. In NJ, such an inspection is also beyond the scope of a home inspection...however; most HI's offer the inspection. The kicker is in NJ, there is no specific license for such...however, the reporting form used by the lenders (NPMA-33) is not valid absent a license number...therefore RESPONSIBLE HI's in NJ obtain a pesticide applicator license...which through the requirements enables them to properly identify signs of WDI's (wood destroying insects).

A home inspector who is QUALIFIED to perform a WDI inspection is a much better bet than having a separate inspector...as a well done home inspection looks at far more areas and in more depth that that which occurs during a 20 minute pest inspection. However, if the HI is not trained in such...who knows what he won't find...or will find, that he identifies incorrectly.

Case in point, a few months back, someone who posts here recommended a NJ HI....who pretended to be licensed...and he isn't at allÂ..for home inspection or WDI...still until this day...and continues to operate in NJ even though it is illegal to do so.
On his website, he has pictures of him identifying wasp tubes as termite tubes......need I say more?
IMO, if the HI is going to do the WDI...find out what type of training and experience he has...and if your state offers a licenses or certificationÂÂmake sure he has one.

Best wishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oregon Home Insection Standards of Practice

Thanks for the link. I looked for information about termite inspection licensing in Oregon and found this:

" The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) issues a pesticide applicatorÂs license. Pesticide applicator licenses are not required by ODA or the State of Oregon to conduct pest and dry rot or WDO inspections. However, some lending institutions (banks, mortgage companies) and guaranteeing agencies (FarmerÂs Home Administration, Veterans Administration) may not accept pest and dry rot or WDO inspection reports as part of a real estate transaction that are prepared by inspectors who do not have a pesticide applicatorÂs license from ODA."

That was from the "Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Home Inspector Test Application Packet."

So I guess I will look for a home inspector who has the pesticide applicator's license. Or else hire a separate termite inspector. A $200 inspection would be worth peace of mind.

Here is a link that might be useful: home inspector test packet

Oregon is the same then as NJ. FWIW, I would go with the experienced HI who also has an applicator license...as he will see far, far more of the house than the pest inspector will see....and therefore will be better positioned to note signs of a problem...if any.

Last but not least, at least the HI would have no financial benefit to citing non-existant signs of WDI's....not the same for a pest inspector who also provides treatment. In the case of the pest inspector, more due diligence will be required..as its buyer beware.

BTW, please note that your realtor misinformed you regarding the WDI isnpection as being part of the home inspection. Bear that in mind with any additonal info that the realtor may provide.

My previous comments are based on the fact that I have lived in Oregon for 15 years and have had several RE transactions and have witneesed more. The HI in Oregon are licensed, and that is their primary business. They are not generally contractors who have a vested interest in creating other business for themselves. I personally don't know anyone who has hired a separate inspector for a pest/dryrot inspection, as the licensed HI's can do that job.

You may want to ask your lender's requirements, if any. Our lenders in Michigan and Wisconsin did not require termite inspections, so we could decide entirely for ourselves. We were comfortable letting the regular HI scrren for infestion along the the regular inspection. Years ago in Indiana, we followed the lender's termite inspection requirement.

quip: We were comfortable letting the regular HI scrren for infestion along the the regular inspection.

Not a wise move if the HI has no education or training in WDI inspection.