A real inspection is more than a walk-through — it's a systematic check of every accessible area where termites hide, plus a written report. Here's exactly what happens.
People are often unsure what they're actually getting when they book a termite inspection. Is it someone glancing at the baseboards for five minutes, or something more? A proper inspection is a systematic, whole-structure examination of every accessible area where termites live, followed by a written report — and knowing what it covers helps you tell a real inspection from a sales visit.
Here's what actually happens.
The Areas a Thorough Inspection Covers
A complete inspection works through the structure methodically, inside and out:
| Area | What the inspector checks |
|---|---|
| Attic | Rafters, roof sheathing, framing — a top-priority area for drywood activity |
| Interior | Baseboards, window and door frames, walls, floors, under sinks |
| Garage | Framing, wall plates, and any wood-to-soil contact |
| Crawlspace / subarea | Subfloor, joists, sill plates, piers, and signs of subterranean tubes |
| Slab perimeter | Foundation edges for mud tubes where there's no crawlspace |
| Exterior | Fascia, eaves, trim, siding, and any wood near soil or irrigation |
The inspector is looking for the full range of evidence — frass, kickout holes, mud tubes, blistered paint, hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings, and moisture conditions that invite activity — and noting the species and location of anything active.
How Long It Takes
A typical single-family home inspection runs about 45–60 minutes, longer for larger or multi-story homes, hillside properties with variable access, or homes with outbuildings. It's not a rushed walk-through; the time is spent because the evidence is often subtle and concentrated in specific areas.
The Report Is the Deliverable
The point of an inspection is the written report. For a standard homeowner inspection, that's a clear summary of what was found, the species involved, and treatment options matched to the findings. For a real estate transaction, it's a formal WDO report that separates findings into Section 1 (active infestation or existing damage) and Section 2 (conditions likely to lead to problems). Our post on Section 1 and Section 2 reports explains how those categories work, and termite inspection before buying a home covers the transaction side.
Free Homeowner Inspection vs. Paid WDO Report
It's worth knowing the difference. A standard homeowner inspection — the kind you book when you suspect activity or want an annual check — is free with us and comes with a written report and no obligation. The formal WDO report tied to a home sale is a more rigorous, standardized document that carries a fee. Same thoroughness on the walk-through; different deliverable and different purpose.
What to Do With It
The value of an inspection isn't just finding a problem — it's the baseline. If it's clean, you have peace of mind and a reference point. If it finds something, you have a documented starting place for treatment. Either way, doing it on a regular schedule is what catches activity in the years-long window before it becomes visible — the case we make in why annual termite inspections save you thousands.
A free inspection gets you the full walk-through and the written report, with no obligation to book anything further.