. Sacramento Valley . California SPCB Licensed . Since 2010 .

WDO Inspection Report in Sacramento, CA

Required for real estate. Required for peace of mind. Available same day.

A WDO (Wood Destroying Organism) report is the official California document that records every active termite infestation, prior damage, and condition likely to cause future damage on your property. It is prepared by a licensed Structural Pest Control inspector, filed with the California Structural Pest Control Board, and required by most lenders for home sales and refinancing. Sacramento sits in HUD Termite Zone 1, the highest-risk designation in the country. Every home sale and refinancing in this region depends on a clean or treated WDO report. We have provided licensed WDO inspections across Sacramento and 17 surrounding cities since 2010.

WDO Report, SACTO Termite Inspection, Sacramento

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CA SPCB Licensed Inspector

Section 1 and Section 2 Reports

HUD-NPMA-99A and 99B Documentation

Same-Day Inspection Available

What a California WDO Report Covers and Why Sacramento Properties Need One

In California, a Wood Destroying Organism report is issued under the authority of the California Structural Pest Control Board (CSPCB). Only a licensed Structural Pest Control operator holding a Branch 2 or Branch 3 license can produce a legally valid WDO report. The report becomes part of your property permanent record on file with the state. In a real estate transaction, it is the document buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders all rely on.

Sacramento sits in HUD Termite Infestation Probability Zone 1, the designation given to areas with the highest annual termite activity in the United States. This Zone 1 classification means FHA-backed loans, VA loans, and most conventional lenders require a completed WDO inspection report before closing. A property with untreated Section 1 findings cannot close in most transactions until treatment is documented.

California WDO reports cover all organisms and conditions defined as wood-destroying under state law. This is a broader category than most homeowners expect.

Subterranean Termites

Sacramento most common species. Inspectors look for mud tubes on foundations, swarm evidence, and damage at sill plates and floor joists. Formosan subterranean termites are also covered where present.

Drywood Termites

Live inside wood without soil contact. Inspectors identify pellet frass, exit holes, and damaged attic or wall framing. Common in Sacramento homes built before 1980 with original roof and attic wood.

Wood-Boring Beetles

Powderpost beetles and old house borers damage hardwood floors, structural timber, and furniture. Inspectors identify exit holes and frass patterns that distinguish beetle damage from termite damage.

Wood-Decaying Fungi and Dry Rot

Moisture-driven fungal decay is a reportable WDO condition under California law. Inspectors identify wet or dry rot in subfloor areas, siding, fascia, and window frames and document moisture conditions that drive it.

Section 1 and Section 2 Findings: What Each Means for Your Transaction

Every California WDO report organizes findings into two categories. Understanding the difference between them is the most important thing you can know before buying, selling, or refinancing a Sacramento property. Most homeowners and many real estate agents do not fully understand the distinction until it affects their closing.

Section 1 Findings

Active infestations and damage requiring immediate treatment

Section 1 items are conditions that require treatment or repair before most California real estate transactions can close. This includes active termite infestations, current wood-boring beetle activity, and any existing damage directly caused by wood-destroying organisms. In a real estate transaction, Section 1 findings typically must be corrected before the sale can proceed. Who pays for Section 1 work is negotiable between buyer and seller, but lenders will not fund a loan with unresolved Section 1 items in most cases.

Active termite infestations (any species)
Current wood-boring beetle activity
Damage caused by wood-destroying organisms
Active dry rot or fungal decay

Section 2 Findings

Conditions likely to lead to infestation if left unaddressed

Section 2 items are not active infestations. They are conditions that create risk for future infestation or damage. Common Section 2 findings include wood-to-soil contact, inadequate crawl space ventilation, moisture conditions conducive to dry rot, and earth debris in subfloor areas. Section 2 findings are negotiable in real estate transactions and are not required to be corrected before closing in most cases.

Wood-to-soil contact at foundation
Faulty grade, poor drainage near structure
Insufficient crawl space ventilation
Earth debris in subfloor areas

Our WDO Inspection Process: From Scheduling to Signed Report

Our WDO inspection process is designed for Sacramento real estate timelines. Same-day and next-day inspection availability across all 18 service cities means your transaction does not wait on scheduling.

Step 01 – Schedule Your Inspection. Call (916) 269-0582 or submit a request online. We confirm same-day or next-day availability and coordinate access with your real estate agent or property manager when needed.

Step 02 – Complete Property Inspection. Our licensed CSPCB inspector examines all accessible areas including the interior, exterior, attic, crawl space or subfloor, garage, and any attached or detached structures on the property. We use acoustic emission devices and thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture anomalies and active colonies that visual inspection alone will not reveal. The inspection covers all four WDO categories under California law: subterranean termites, drywood termites, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decaying fungi.

Step 03 – Findings Documented with Photographs. Every finding is photographed and documented with its precise location in the structure, species identification, and the extent of infestation or damage. Section 1 and Section 2 findings are clearly separated. Treatment recommendations and cost estimates accompany Section 1 findings so you know exactly what correction requires before closing.

Step 04 – Official WDO Report Delivered and Filed. The completed WDO inspection report is delivered to you and, where required, filed with the California Structural Pest Control Board. For FHA and VA transactions, we provide HUD-NPMA-99A and HUD-NPMA-99B documentation. Reports are typically delivered within 24 hours of inspection. If any Section 1 treatment is required, we schedule it immediately and provide the completion documentation lenders and escrow need to close.

WDO Report Pricing in Sacramento

WDO inspections in Sacramento run $150 to $300 for a standard single-family home, with larger properties and crawl space foundations toward the upper end. The report, same-day scheduling, and HUD-NPMA-99A documentation for FHA and VA loans are all included – no hidden fees.

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Why Sacramento Homeowners, Agents, and Lenders Choose Sacto Termite

Legally Valid CSPCB Reports

Every WDO report we produce is issued by a California Structural Pest Control Board-licensed inspector. The report meets all requirements for real estate transactions, FHA and VA loans, and conventional lender requirements throughout Sacramento County and surrounding counties.

Same-Day Scheduling Across 18 Cities

Real estate transactions run on deadlines. We offer same-day and next-day inspection availability across Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, and all 14 other cities in our service area. We coordinate directly with agents and escrow offices to keep your closing on schedule.

Thermal Imaging and Acoustic Detection

Standard visual-only inspections miss activity inside wall cavities, beneath flooring, and in closed attic spaces. Our inspectors use acoustic emission devices and thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture anomalies and active colonies that a flashlight inspection will not reveal.

Treatment on the Same Visit

When Section 1 findings require immediate treatment to keep a transaction on track, we can schedule treatment immediately after inspection. We provide the treatment completion documentation and updated report your escrow office needs to close without delay.

Frequently Asked Questions About WDO Reports in Sacramento

How long is a WDO report valid in California for real estate transactions?

In California, WDO inspection reports are generally considered current for real estate transactions for up to four months from the inspection date. Most conventional lenders accept reports within 90 days. FHA and VA lenders typically require a report no older than 90 days at the time of closing. If your transaction takes longer than expected and the report ages past 90 days, a re-inspection is generally required. For sellers, ordering a WDO report 30 to 60 days before listing allows time to address any Section 1 findings without closing deadline pressure.

Who pays for the WDO inspection and Section 1 repairs in a California home sale?

California law does not specify who pays for a WDO inspection. It is negotiable between buyer and seller and typically addressed in the purchase contract or during inspection negotiations. In Sacramento real estate transactions, the seller most commonly pays for both the inspection and any required Section 1 treatment, but buyers sometimes take on the inspection cost as part of their due diligence. Section 2 findings are generally not required to be corrected and are negotiated separately. Getting a WDO inspection before listing gives sellers full control over how and when Section 1 items are handled.

Can a buyer use the seller’s WDO report, or should they order their own?

Buyers can use a seller-provided WDO report if it meets the lender requirements, but there are practical reasons to order an independent inspection. A seller-provided report was produced for the seller purposes and may not cover areas or structures the buyer wants assessed. An independent inspection gives the buyer their own documented findings. Some lenders require an independent WDO report regardless of whether the seller has already provided one. FHA and VA lenders in particular often require the inspection to be ordered on behalf of the borrower. Ask your lender and real estate agent about their specific requirements before the inspection contingency deadline.

Does a WDO inspection cover detached structures like garages, sheds, and ADUs?

A standard California WDO inspection covers all accessible structures on the property that are part of the real estate transaction. This typically includes the main dwelling, attached garage, and detached garage or workshop if present. Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are included when they are part of the sale. Fences and garden structures are generally not covered unless specifically requested. Our inspectors confirm with you before the inspection which structures to include so the report matches the scope your lender or escrow requires.

Schedule Your WDO Inspection Today

Same-day and next-day availability across 18 Sacramento Valley cities. Licensed CSPCB inspector. Report delivered within 24 hours. Section 1 treatment scheduled immediately if needed.