Do I need a separate termite inspector & mold inspector in addition to home inspector?

[Anonymous]

We are buying our first home in VA. We have a highly recommended home inspector lined up. He is not certified to advise on termite damage, and I don't see anything on the website about mold inspection. What major sorts of things do inspectors look for in VA? Would you recommend a termite inspection and a mold inspection done by professionals in those fields? Anything else we are missing - who did you call out before you bought a home? The home is about 50 years old and has a basement. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are buying our first home in VA. We have a highly recommended home inspector lined up. He is not certified to advise on termite damage, and I don't see anything on the website about mold inspection. What major sorts of things do inspectors look for in VA? Would you recommend a termite inspection and a mold inspection done by professionals in those fields? Anything else we are missing - who did you call out before you bought a home? The home is about 50 years old and has a basement. Thanks!

Most people only get those inspections if there is an indication during the general inspection they are needed. Between the two, the pest infection is probably more common. Professional and mold inspection rarely go together, as most inspectors in that area are nothing more than glorified salespeople for mold remediation companies. So, wait for the general inspection and see what, if any, follow up is recommended.

[Anonymous]

Normally you can a general inspector and a termite inspector. My termite inspection cost somewhere around $40.
The general inspector should be able to spot mold. Make sure you follow him during the inspection and that he looks below the surface of things.

[Anonymous]

You may need a termite inspection to get financing and it's a good idea in any case, so I would expect to do that one plus a general inspection.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're buying in all cash your lender will require a termite inspection. And yes, this is a different company typically from a home inspection. The termite inspection company will typically be one that does general pest prevention/detection/removal work. I would only worry about a mold inspection if you have a particular reason to be concerned about it (e.g. something the previous owner disclosed or something your home inspector notices). If you DO go that route use a company that only does mold inspections and not the remediation work, we've had a bad experiance with a shady mold inspection/remediation company that recommended all kinds of expensive work that we "needed to do", so glad we got a second opinion from a company that was strictly inspection only!

[Anonymous]

I would never go without a termite inspector in addition to the general home inspector.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the replies. Any more thoughts on mold inspection? Right now I have "the works" planned - home inspection, radon, mold, termite. I have no reason to anticipate any problems with mold or radon, but I am trying to err on the side of caution: for radon, because it is supposedly prevalent in northern Virginia (true?) and for mold, because I have known two homes (neither is local) that were condemned due to mold. I am just paranoid about mold I guess. Is my gigantic inspection overkill? I don't want to burn money, but I would prefer to avoid problems. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sellers pay for the termite inspection (at least I just did in VA and so did our sellers).

Btw, don't just stand there during your inspection. MOVE items, smell the air and pull up carpet around corners, doors. Inspectors won't move anything.

[remodeling101]

Most people only get those inspections if there is an indication during the general inspection they are needed. Between the two, the pest infection is probably more common. Professional and mold inspection rarely go together, as most inspectors in that area are nothing more than glorified salespeople for mold remediation companies. So, wait for the general inspection and see what, if any, follow up is recommended.

I agree!!!!

[Anonymous]

Six months after we bought our home, a fluke air conditioning leak led to the discovery a mold around the perimeter of our finished basement and under the carpet. The mold was several feet high.

We had to gut the basement, remediate the mold, waterproof, and rebuild. Insurance did not cover any of it, because mold is considered a maintenance problem.

Our situation is highly unusual, but if you have any reason at all to suspect mold, look for it because you will be on the hook financially if you find it after you close. In our case, we were dumb first-time homeowners. We didn't know any better.

It's hard to check for mold. Like the PP said, most homes will not have an issue. Having been through it, I would know better what to look for. If the basement or any other part of the house has a damp, musty smell, or feels excessively humid (harder to tell in the colder months), or if there are exterior features like a yard that slopes toward the house, be more aggressive.

[Anonymous]

There is good mold advice here. I'll add to check really good under all sinks/in cabinets, around the washer and dishwasher. Mold can hide for awhile under kitchen cabinets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Six months after we bought our home, a fluke air conditioning leak led to the discovery a mold around the perimeter of our finished basement and under the carpet. The mold was several feet high.

We had to gut the basement, remediate the mold, waterproof, and rebuild. Insurance did not cover any of it, because mold is considered a maintenance problem.

Our situation is highly unusual, but if you have any reason at all to suspect mold, look for it because you will be on the hook financially if you find it after you close. In our case, we were dumb first-time homeowners. We didn't know any better.

It's hard to check for mold. Like the PP said, most homes will not have an issue. Having been through it, I would know better what to look for. If the basement or any other part of the house has a damp, musty smell, or feels excessively humid (harder to tell in the colder months), or if there are exterior features like a yard that slopes toward the house, be more aggressive.

OP here. Thanks. So would the air samples that the inspector takes "be more aggressive" and be an accurate indicator of mold? We are using an inspector certified in home inspection, and mold, termite, and radon inspection, rather than a "mold repair" company. Is this test going to give us information about whether we DO or DO NOT have a mold issue? They previous owners had a humidifier attached to the heating unit. That is the only thing that stands out for me, other than just a fear about mold.

[Anonymous]

Do the termite testing. It would be crazy not to. Don't be afraid to speak up and push the inspector to more carefully inspect.

Also I would never hire an inspector that the real estate agents recommends. We were burned by that once. We had to push one inspector to do his job - the inspector should get up on the roof and get in the attic. They really need to thoroughly inspect everything. Inspectors often feel they have to sugar coat or be less than straight forward as they get their referrals from real estate agents. The agents prefer they not find anything. Make it clear to the inspector that they work for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sellers pay for the termite inspection (at least I just did in VA and so did our sellers).

Btw, don't just stand there during your inspection. MOVE items, smell the air and pull up carpet around corners, doors. Inspectors won't move anything.

That would be a lousy inspector if he/she didn't move things. Make it clear you expect them to do a thorough job. Be a participant in the inspection. I take a bright flash light, binoculars, and a small black light. The binos are so I can check the roof even if the inspector goes up there. The other items help me find water damage. Check the basement for any signs of water (lines on the walls, floors) or stains. Look carefully at all the ceilings in the house for tale tell signs of water damage.

[Anonymous]

Termite inspection is like $100 at least fromthe place we use (PestNow) so just get it done.