As both a Licensed Structural Pest Inspector and a Licensed Home Inspector in Washington State, I provide my buyers with the kind of service that has become expected of Home Inspectors in Washington State. This is a little bit unusual when compared to other parts of the country, but here in the NW, were we have such a wide variety of wood destroying organisms, the home inspector really is in the best position to assess all the areas of a home that these critters might show up in. While recent licensing of home inspectors in Washington State allows Home Inspectors to identify Rot and conditions conducive to Wood Destroying Organisms, if the home inspector encounters Wood Destroying Insects he or she is required to “….refer the identification of or damage by wood destroying insects to a structural pest inspector…” (RCW 18.280.190) This of course assumes that the Home Inspector knows the difference between Carpenter Ant Frass and the scraps from Uncle Harry’s Hobby. Some inspectors say they will get around this issue by recommending the evaluation be done by a Licensed Pest Control Operator (Includes the Structural Pest Inspector License). This approach ignores the obvious conflict of interest in having the guys that treat for bugs also be the ones that figure out whether they are present or not. Other inspectors don’t want the additional liability implied by having the license and missing something. This ignores the fact that if you miss something that is destroying the home----you are in deep doo anyway. A home inspector that is also trained to identify wood destroying insects can not only call for the appropriate trades to make whatever repairs are called for, but can also call for proper treatment by the Licensed Pest Control Operator when necessary. Take Anobiid Beetles for example. These little critters are very common here in the NW and are primarily an insect that is opportunistic. In other words they like to infest wood that has elevated moisture levels. They really like under-ventilated crawl spaces without vapor barrier/ground covers and spaces with poor clearances that prevent adequate air circulation. They are really good at totally obliterating the interior of the wood while leaving the exterior surface relatively normal looking except for their exit holes. The home inspector that, in the course of their inspection, does some random probing of structural components in the crawl space and disintegrates a support post with their rock hammer would have to “….refer the identification of or damage by wood destroying insects to a structural pest inspector…” (RCW 18.280.190) Am I missing something here? Wouldn’t it be a lot more efficient for the Home Inspector to just be able to deal with it in the context of their inspection instead of having to call for another one? Even with that there could still be delays for getting repairs for estimates----but at least one step would be eliminated. More or less-----one stop shopping. Charles Buell
Click on the Rose 
to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
DeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Click on the Rose to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
I tend to agree with you here. The potential conflict of interest in recommending a specialist who can ALSO apply treatment is certainly there. On the other hand we do this whenever we have a mechanic or (insert contractor here) work for us.
Just today I was considering this with mold testing. If an inspector recommends a remediation company for testing and removal isn't there the possibility that the company will recommend remediation just for the increased income?
When it comes down to it I guess we have to trust people to serve our best interest. That's why receiving a good referral is worth it's weight in gold.
You talked about recently licensing home inspectors, they have been trying to get it passed here to have home inspectors licensed but so far no luck. State of Georgia only certifies home inspectors. Was this a long time in the making before they started licensing home inspectors in Washington?
Those Beetles look like an abstract painting. There's beauty in almost everything.
Vince----I would argue that most of us have no clue what we are getting from an auto mechanic and having autom mechanic inspectors previous to repairs might be a good idea:)
Jan, it has been in the works here for 10-12 years with getting really serious the last 5 years. Several bills came and went before one finally made it through the legislature.
Barbara, there really is.
You know down south (from you) the home inspectors aren't required to do that, and the buyers/sellers eliminate that extra step. Of course, "further evaluation needed" is our catch phrase, but that would include a call to a professional pest inspector.
Looks like you found an unusual green bug. Wonder what this variety eats?
Charles, Is that your new critter inspector assistant? Have you given Nutsy and Raven 'Da Boot? Looks like that critter would work for me ☺☺☺
Helping you live your American dream...
I agree, it does look like a piece of art work
Carla, how do the buyers eliminate the extra step?
Theodora---this one was friendly except for sticking his tongue out at me
Michael, do you need a new assistant?
Janice, there is beauty in most things
This makes good sense. If I were choosing, I would certainly want an inspector who was dually licensed and could evaluate "the big picture." And, as you pointed out,it saves the inconvenience and delay of making two appointments.
Charlie,
You have alwasys been a fan of one-stop shopping, so glad you can offer it.
Mr Charles,
I feel that I, Nutsy, should also seek this certification. What is it again?
Nutsy
Frankly I am miffed. Charlie, why do you brag to Michael that Nutsy is your better half. He is my assistant. I loan him to you, but rarely.
Leslie, obviously I agree with you:)
Steve Costo Smith---what ARE you talking about
Nutsy, forgedaboudit
Steve, and you brag about this?
Say, isn't that the green, six-legged, back-o-the-drywall licker?