Overview
A Friday visit is little help if the buyer needs a report on Thursday. Start with the signed contract, not a guess about report timing. This sheet puts the due date, report type, buildings, and access contact in one place for the inspection team.
Why This Matters
California real estate guidance says the time for inspections is set by the offer or contract. A home inspection and a wood-destroying organism (WDO) report are separate requests. The state WDO form covers only the building shown on its diagram. Ask about any garage, shed, or other detached building.
1Work back from the contract date
Copy the inspection deadline from the signed contract, including the time if stated. Then write the earlier date when the buyer needs the report to make a decision. Ask if both the visit and report can fit those dates. A booked visit alone does not set a report delivery time.
- Send the property address and decision deadline in the first request.
- Tell the provider if a lender, buyer, or contract calls for a specific report.
- Keep the agreed appointment, report recipient, and expected delivery in the transaction record.
2Name each inspection and building
A home inspection gives a broad visual review of the home, within the scope you agree to. A California WDO report covers wood pests and related conditions in the building shown on its diagram. Ask for both if both are needed. List the units, garages, and other buildings that matter to the buyer. Home inspections are offered in Salinas, Monterey, Hollister, and San Francisco. Ask if we cover the address for a WDO report.
- Ask whether each detached structure will be included and shown on the WDO diagram.
- Ask about crawl spaces, attic access, utilities, tenants, pets, and gate or lockbox instructions.
- If access is blocked, ask what report note or follow-up inspection is needed.
3Read the delivered report against the request
Check the address, date, report type, page count, and recipient. For a WDO report, compare the diagram with the buildings you asked about and read the notes on areas the inspector could not enter. Send questions soon enough for the buyer to discuss the next step with the transaction team.
Key Takeaways
- 1Use the signed contract date, not a guessed inspection window.
- 2Request each report by name and list the buildings and access limits.
- 3Confirm delivery timing and read the report boundary before the decision date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a home inspection include a WDO report?
Treat them as separate requests. Ask for both by name if the contract or buyer needs both.
Can the report arrive before my contingency date?
Availability and report delivery depend on the property and schedule. Send the exact deadline and get the expected delivery date confirmed before relying on it.
Sources
- First Home California: inspections and contingency timeframes · California Department of Real Estate
- Wood Destroying Pest and Organism Inspection Report, Form 43M-41 · California Structural Pest Control Board
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