2)  Some companies use opportunities to inspect homes being sold to obtain termite work for their company.  Some companies are looking for the obvious (a termite infestation is easiest to detect) and it is known that people trying to buy their "dream home" do not want to risk not being able to purchase their "dream home".  A not so scrupulous WDI inspector may quote a higher than normal price, since it is not likely that a purchaser will "shop" prices to get the best price and deal.  It is easy to recognize these companies...they charge a very small price like $35.00 or $75.00 for the inspection.  Some even will provide "Free" inspections in order to possibly find termites and give you their price to solve the problem, (that is why when a person comes with a solution to a problem you are currently having, potential customers will seldom shop around for the best price).  Price is important,... but it isn't the most important thing.  The most important thing is to get a good and thorough inspection, not a cursory one.  Most inspections here in Houston, Texas are running from $175 and up (depending on the complexity of the structure) and take anywhere from a couple of hours to several hours to complete.  Look at it in your good common sense way:  Would you work for $20 - $25 per hour to take on all of the liability a homeowner could sue for insect damages ... and most likely win!

Don't be "encouraged to accept a very low price when you know in your heart that it takes a very good inspector a reasonable amount (several hours) of time to perform the  inspection and fill out the accompanying paperwork.

3)  There is a lot of financial liability that goes with performing these real estate inspections.  If termites are missed on inspection, then he is liable for the decision the homeowner made when purchasing the home.  That can be a sizable amount of money, provided the right lawyer is selected to represent the buyer.  Some companies (Such as some of the larger companies) are not performing real estate inspections any longer.  They have raised the price to make it easier for you not to select the well known companies.

Finally:  Termites are not all an inspector is looking for.  An inspector is looking for signs of: wood boring beetles (20 - species), Borers (15 + species) Ants (acrobat and Carpenter) Carpenter Bee, Termites (8 species), fungal problems (10 species) as well as any other structural defect caused by water or insects  (fungal problems are caused by water and the source needs to be corrected before the problem goes away).

So, as you can see all of these signs of different pests and their individual signs can be a daunting factor in the search for any visible sign of one or more of these infestations.  Make sure you aren't looking for the best price when you are expecting the inspector to prevent you from purchasing a real headache!

Also remember that you can always question a report through the Structural Pest Control Board located in Austin Texas.  Their email address is:  spcb@mail.capnet.state.tx.us and the direct dial telephone number is 512-305-8270.  The FAX line is 512-305-8263.  

The mail address is:  Structural Pest Control Board, 333 Guadalupe,
PO Box   1927, Austin, TX  78767-1927. 

All you need to do is ask for a structural inspector and ask them your question.  Remember, you are paying their salary!

Also remember that a real estate person is not ethically allowed to recommend any inspector to perform an inspection for you.  They are only allowed to supply a list of companies who perform the real estate inspections and that is all!  Remember, they want a good inspection report too!