WDO Inspection in St. Augustine, FL: Who to Call (2026)

Very likely, and that is normal. Centuries-old and Victorian-era wood in a humid coastal climate almost always carries some history — old drywood evidence, patched damage, decay in original members. The report's job is sorting active from historical: live activity needs treatment; documented old evidence with sound repairs is simply part of owning historic fabric. Sellers here are rarely surprised by findings-based negotiation.

Expect the inspector to certify only what can be reached — and historic construction often hides framing behind plaster, low crawl gaps, and additions. The FDACS form documents inaccessible areas explicitly. Serious buyers sometimes arrange further access, like opening a crawl hatch or moving storage, and a follow-up visit. Discuss access with your agent before inspection day to maximize first-pass coverage.

Rarely. Drywood treatment — whole-structure fumigation or localized methods, depending on spread — is established practice on historic buildings and done without altering their fabric. The sequence is standard: licensed treatment, re-inspection, documentation. Negotiate cost allocation through your inspection contingency; see our cost guide for how pricing typically structures. What should give pause is untreated structural damage, not treatable activity itself.

50 companies with Google business profiles hold an FDACS “Termite and Other WDO” license within about 25 miles of St. Augustine, and 5 more St. Augustine-based companies are listed in the FDACS registry without a Google profile.