WDO Inspection & Termite Letter in NYC

Buying, selling, or refinancing a property in New York often comes down to one document: a clean Wood-Destroying Organism report. New York Exterminating provides professional WDO inspections and the signed termite letter (NPMA-33) that lenders, attorneys, and co-op and condo boards require — turned around fast so your closing stays on schedule. Inspections are performed under the direction of an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) licensed in structural pest control, so the findings carry real weight.

A WDO inspection is more than a termite check

The term “wood-destroying organism” is deliberately broad, and a thorough inspection reflects that. We document evidence of subterranean termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and powderpost beetles, along with wood-decay fungi and the moisture conditions that make wood vulnerable to all of them. An inspection that only looks for termites — or a report from someone not trained to tell carpenter-ant frass from termite mud — can clear a property that actually has an active structural problem. Knowing exactly which organism left which evidence is the difference between an accurate report and a liability.

What the inspection covers

We examine accessible structural wood and the areas where evidence shows first: basements and cellars, crawlspaces, sill plates and joists, foundation perimeters, porches and decks, attic and roof framing where accessible, and any visible mud tubes, frass, galleries, exit holes, or moisture damage. We then complete the standard report stating what was found, what conditions are conducive, and whether infestation is active or previously treated.

Built for NYC real estate

New York closings have their own requirements. Co-op and condo boards and managing agents frequently request a WDO report, buyer’s attorneys add it as a contingency, and lenders may require a clear letter to fund. Our older housing stock — brownstones, row houses, and pre-war multi-family buildings with cellars and shared structural wood — is exactly where hidden wood-destroying activity hides. We provide documentation in the form boards, lenders, and attorneys expect, and because we are also a licensed treatment provider, a finding does not derail your deal: we can treat, re-inspect, and clear it.

Our process

1. Schedule. We book quickly and offer rush appointments for time-sensitive closings.

2. Inspect. A licensed inspection of all accessible wood members and conducive conditions, typically about an hour.

3. Report. A signed WDO report / termite letter delivered fast, in the format your lender, board, or attorney requires.

4. Treat if needed. If activity is found, we quote and perform corrective treatment and re-inspect — one provider, no handoffs.

Related services: Termite Treatment & Inspection, Carpenter Ant & WDI Control, and Carpenter Bee Control.

Quick answers

How fast can you turn around the report?

Quickly — we prioritize closing deadlines and offer rush scheduling and fast report delivery when a deal is time-sensitive.

Is the report accepted by lenders and boards?

Yes. We provide the standard signed WDO report / termite letter (NPMA-33) that lenders, attorneys, and co-op and condo boards require.

Do you inspect and treat, or only inspect?

Both. We are a licensed treatment provider, so if the inspection finds activity we can correct it and re-inspect — no second company needed.

WDO Inspection FAQs

What exactly is a WDO inspection and a termite letter?

A Wood-Destroying Organism inspection is a documented examination of a property for evidence of wood-destroying pests and the conditions that attract them. The resulting report — often called a “termite letter” or NPMA-33 — is the standard document lenders, attorneys, and co-op or condo boards request before a closing. It states what was found, what is conducive, and whether active infestation is present.

What does a WDO inspection actually cover — just termites?

No. “Wood-destroying organism” is broader than termites. We inspect for subterranean termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and powderpost beetles, plus wood-decay fungi and the moisture conditions that invite all of them. A report that only looks for termites misses most of what damages NYC building wood.

Do I need a WDO inspection to buy or sell in NYC?

Often, yes. Many lenders require a clear WDO report to fund a mortgage, and co-op and condo boards and buyer’s attorneys frequently request one as a condition of sale. Even when it is not strictly required, a documented inspection protects a buyer from inheriting hidden, expensive structural damage.

How long does the inspection take and when do I get the report?

A typical inspection takes about an hour depending on the size and access of the property — basements, cellars, crawlspaces, and accessible wood members. We turn the signed report around quickly so it does not hold up your closing timeline; rush scheduling is available when a deal is time-sensitive.

What happens if the inspection finds an active infestation?

The report documents it clearly, and because we are a licensed treatment provider as well, we can quote and perform the corrective treatment and re-inspect so you can close. You are not left chasing a separate company. We can also document the conducive conditions that need correction.

Can you inspect co-ops, condos, brownstones, and multi-family buildings?

Yes. We inspect single-family homes, brownstones, row houses, co-op and condo units, and multi-family and small commercial buildings, and we provide the documentation boards, managing agents, lenders, and attorneys require.

New York Exterminating, Inc.
1115 E 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ACE-Certified · Licensed in Structural Pest Control · WDO inspections across the five boroughs & NYC metro