Buyer resources · By Amoni Capital
Published
Found Signs of Termites in a DFW House? Check These Before You Buy
Do not guess from one photo. First, find out if bugs are there now, what damage is left, and what the seller has done to fix it.
You like a house. But the inspector spots a wood problem near a door. Or the seller says the house had termites years ago. Do you walk away? Ask for a price change? Or keep going?
Quick answer: Get the right kind of insect inspection. Then check any wood damage and repairs. Read your signed contract before time runs out. A past termite treatment does not prove the house is safe today. And signs of past termites do not tell you the full cost of repairs.
1. Is a regular home inspection enough?
Not for a full termite answer. A home inspector looks at many parts of the house. They can report visible damage. But a standard Texas home-inspector license does not let that person decide if termites are present. A separate licensed wood-destroying insect inspector can check for insects. Some people have both licenses; ask what work you hired them to do.
A WDI report means Wood Destroying Insect Report. That is the Texas report for a real estate insect inspection. It is made on the state form SPCS/T-5. The state regulates who may prepare it. TREC inspection FAQ · Texas Department of Agriculture.
2. Four different things can be true
A report and repair papers answer different questions. Keep them apart.
| What you want to know | Best place to start | What it cannot prove alone |
|---|---|---|
| Are signs of insects present now? | Licensed WDI inspection | That all hidden areas were seen |
| Was the home treated before? | Treatment bill and dates | That no insects remain today |
| Is wood damaged? | Photos and a repair pro's review | How much every hidden repair will cost |
| Was damaged wood fixed? | Paid invoice, scope and permits if needed | That the fix covers every area |
What this means: A “treated” home may still have old damage. A “repaired” home may still need a fresh insect check. Do not let one paper stand in for the others.
Termite Evidence Sorter
Choose only what you know. You will get questions to take to the right people. No private details are needed. Nothing is saved or sent.
This sorter does not find termites, clear a home, price repairs or change a contract deadline.
3. What is on the Texas insect report?
Ask the licensed inspector to explain the T-5 form in plain words. Find out where the inspector saw signs, where they could not look, and what conditions may draw insects. Hidden areas are not a clean bill of health.
Ask these questions:
- “Did you see signs that need more work?”
- “Which rooms or spaces could you not check?”
- “Does anything point to a need for treatment?”
- “Should someone check the wood for damage?”
- “Can you show me the spot you mean?”
The state form is an inspection record, not a promise that the home has no insects. Texas Department of Agriculture WDI information.
4. Check damage and the cost to fix it
If the report points to weak or hurt wood, ask a skilled repair pro to look at the area. You may need a builder or engineer if the damage could affect how the house stands.
Ask for a written work scope. That means a list of the work, the areas to be fixed, the price and how long it may take. A termite treatment price is not the same as a wood repair price. Do not use a national cost average as the cost for this Dallas house.
Example only: A seller has a bill for termite treatment from three years ago. You still need to know if the wood was damaged then. If so, was it fixed? Was the work checked? The treatment bill answers only part of that story.
5. Do this while you still have time in your contract
Texas buyers may have an option period. This is a time set in some signed contracts when a buyer has a right to end the deal under the contract's terms, after meeting the agreed payment and notice rules. It is not the same length for every sale.
The current TREC resale contract is Form 20-19 (effective July 1, 2026). Check your exact contract and deadline with your agent or attorney. Do not assume a termite check gives you more days. TREC resale contract.
A simple plan:
- Book the licensed WDI check early.
- Get the written report.
- Ask about damage and treatment proof.
- Get a repair review if needed.
- Read your signed terms before you choose what to ask the seller.
Your lender may have its own rules. Ask it what insect documents it needs. Do not assume every loan asks for the same report.
6. What can you ask the seller to do?
You can ask for treatment, repairs, more records, or a change in the deal. The seller may not agree. Any promise that changes the sale should be put in writing by the right people.
| Choice | It may fit if | Check before deciding |
|---|---|---|
| Keep buying | The facts and cost are clear to you | Written WDI and repair records |
| Ask for work before closing | Needed work can be checked on time | Scope, skill, lender needs and contract |
| Ask for a change in price or terms | You want to handle work later | Cash needed and written terms |
| End the deal, if your contract allows | Risk or cost does not fit | Signed deadline and right to end |
As-is does not mean you should skip checking a house. It means the seller offers it in its present state, subject to the signed deal. Review the actual words with your agent or attorney.
7. Before you close, keep one small record folder
Save your WDI report, treatment receipts, repair notes, photos, any warranty terms and signed deal changes. A warranty is a written promise with rules and limits. Ask whether it can move to the new owner and what it covers.
A good record will help if you need to ask a question later. It does not prove there is no hidden damage.
Common buyer questions
Does every Texas home sale require a termite report? Not just because it is a sale. A contract, loan program or other rule may call for one. Ask your lender and agent.
Can my home inspector tell me the house has termites? Only if they also hold the right insect-inspection license and were hired for that work. A normal inspection can still flag visible damage.
Should I walk away if termites were treated before? Not based on that fact alone. Ask when, where and how it was treated. Then check current signs and damage.
Does a termite treatment fix damaged wood? No. Killing or treating insects and fixing wood are different jobs.
When should I order the WDI report? Early enough to read it and act under your signed contract. See our Texas option-period guide.
Want more ways to look for a DFW home?
You can explore available properties and check each one on its own facts. You can also read our guide to buying a fixer-upper in Dallas. Selling instead? The seller termite guide covers that separate choice. Amoni Capital does not replace an inspector, repair pro, lender or attorney.
This guide is general home-buying information, not a termite diagnosis, home inspection or legal advice.
Primary sources checked October 20, 2026. General learning, not a termite diagnosis, inspection, repair quote or legal advice. Your licensed insect inspector, repair pro, lender and contract team must review the real home and signed deal.