Standard buyer's inspection
The usual check of the accessible house and outside, with a written report. It covers the signs of insects, rodents and wood damage and the openings that let pests in. It is the basic form of the service.
Serving Polk County
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection in Des Moines, IA
A buyer's pest check covers the structure and the signs of activity, with a written record of what was and was not reached.
- Fall invader control
- Mouse exclusion and sealing
- Ant control
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Pre-Purchase
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection: what it covers
Quick answer
A pre-purchase pest inspection in Des Moines checks a house for signs of insects, rodents and wood damage before the sale closes, and writes up what was found and what could not be reached. It is not a structural survey. Des Moines Pest Control answers 24/7, and a same-day visit is offered when a technician is free.
A buyer is often given a house to look at in a few hours, with little chance to see what is behind the walls or under the floor. A pest inspection before the sale gives the buyer a record of the signs that were visible at the time of the visit. It does not replace a structural survey, and it cannot see what is hidden, but it does tell the buyer where the risks are and what to ask about.
In Des Moines, many houses on the market are older, and others are newer subdivision homes, so the signs a technician looks for differ. An older house may show gaps around the foundation or activity in the crawl space. A newer house may have gaps where the framing meets the siding or where a line was added. The inspection focuses on what the particular house shows.
Pre-purchase inspection from Des Moines Pest Control is a written check for the buyer. A same-day visit is offered when a technician is free, and the phone is answered 24/7. The price is approved before the visit, and the findings are sent in writing, so the buyer can decide what to do next with the seller.
- Service area
- Des Moines & Polk County
- Availability
- Phones answered 24/7
- Phone
- (855) 974-4733
Warning signs
Signs you need pre-purchase pest inspection
Do not enter a crawl space or attic that is unsafe, unlit or has no clear access, and do not move stored items or insulation in a way that could harm you or disturb a nest. Wear appropriate clothing if you are inspecting alongside the technician. Do not sign a purchase on the basis of a single visual check without reading the limits of the report. A technician will explain what was reached, what was not, and the safe steps for any further look.
- Droppings, rub marks or chewed material in the basement, crawl space or attic.
- Mud tubes, frass or hollowed wood in the structure near the foundation or a beam.
- Gaps at the foundation, the vents, the window frames or where a pipe enters the wall.
- Damp areas, standing water or a musty smell in a crawl space or basement.
- Insects gathered on sunny walls, or in the attic and window frames, that suggest entry points.
- Repairs or patches that do not match the rest of the structure, which may hide damage.
Our process
How our pre-purchase pest inspection visit works
Agree the scope with the buyer
The technician confirms what the buyer wants checked, the property address and access arrangements. The scope is agreed in writing, including which areas will be inspected and which are outside the visit.
Inspect the outside
The exterior is walked, looking at the foundation, the vents, the siding seams, the window and door frames, the eaves and the grade around the house. Each opening and any sign of activity is noted with its location.
Inspect the inside and the crawl space
The basement, crawl space and any accessible attic are checked. The sill plate, joists and floor are looked at for signs of activity and damage, and moisture is noted. Access limits are recorded where a space cannot be reached safely.
Write up the findings
The findings are written in plain terms, with locations and photographs where it helps. Areas that could not be reached are listed. The report says what was seen, what it might indicate and what it does not show.
Discuss with the buyer
The technician explains the report to the buyer or their agent. The options are discussed, including whether further specialist inspection is advisable. The report is the record, and it is shared as the buyer directs.
What does a pre-purchase pest inspection not cover?
The inspection covers the accessible areas for pest signs and visible openings. It does not cover hidden spaces, structural soundness, plumbing, electrical systems or the condition of the roof, and it does not replace a structural survey.
A pest inspection looks for activity and the conditions that allow it. Inside walls, below finished floors and behind stored items, the technician cannot see without opening the structure, and that is not part of a standard visit. The report lists the areas that could not be reached.
Structural soundness, mechanical systems and the roof are outside the scope of a pest check. A buyer who wants those assessed should arrange a separate survey.
Why does the foundation matter so much in a buyer's check?
The foundation is where most entry points for pests and most moisture problems meet the structure. The inspection looks at the foundation first, because the signs there show how the house interacts with the outside.
Cracks, gaps, vents and the joint where the siding meets the foundation are all checked. A gap at the sill plate or a damp crawl space can point to entry for mice and insects, and to moisture that may attract other problems.
The findings are reported with their location, so the buyer knows where to look during the purchase.
How should a buyer use the report?
The report is a record of what was visible at one time. A buyer can use it to ask the seller about repairs, to decide whether a further inspection is worth paying for, and to plan the first months of ownership.
Reports work best when they are read with the seller's disclosures and the buyer's own walk-through. A finding that points to a gap can be dealt with through the sealing work in the spring, and a finding that suggests damage may need a specialist.
The technician will explain the findings and the options, and will not recommend work that is not needed.
When should the inspection be done in the buying process?
The inspection is best done early in the purchase period, so there is time to act on the findings before the sale closes. A late inspection leaves less room for a decision.
A buyer can arrange the visit once the offer has been made, and the report can be used to ask for repairs or a price discussion. The timing depends on the contract and the local practice, which the buyer's agent can explain.
Calls to Des Moines Pest Control are answered 24/7, and a same-day visit is offered when a technician is free, though the buyer should allow time for the written report.
What affects the price of a pre-purchase inspection here?
The price depends on the size of the house, the number of levels, whether there is a crawl space or basement to access, and whether an attic check is included. The price is approved before the visit.
A small single-level house with easy access is a shorter inspection. A larger house with a crawl space, a finished basement and a full attic takes more time, and the report takes longer to write.
No figure is printed here. The price is confirmed before the visit and approved by the buyer.
Options
Types and options for pre-purchase pest inspection
Inspection with crawl space focus
Used when the house has a crawl space that is hard to reach or a history of moisture. The crawl space is given extra time, and the findings focus on the sill plate, the joists and the ground cover.
Inspection with attic focus
Used when the attic is accessible and the house has signs of insects in the roof or the eaves. The attic is inspected more closely, and any droppings or nests are recorded with their location.
Follow-up specialist referral
Used when the findings show a need for a specialist, such as a termite or structural check. The technician explains the reasons and recommends the next step, without carrying out the work under the same visit.
Polk County
Why pre-purchase pest inspection is different in central Iowa
In Des Moines, the older houses in the city often have crawl spaces, basements and foundations that show their age, so a buyer's inspection gives those spaces extra attention. Newer houses in the suburbs tend to have attached garages and attic spaces that are easy to overlook, and the inspection covers them.
The timing of a purchase in Des Moines can fall in any season. A house bought in the autumn may show the fall invaders and mice at their most visible, while a winter purchase may have less activity to see. The technician notes the season of the visit, because a clean result in one season does not cover the others.
Houses across Des Moines range from older masonry to newer frame construction, and the signs of activity differ with the building type. The report describes the house in front of the technician and is written for the buyer who will live in it.
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Where we work
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection across Polk County
- Pre-Purchase in Downtown Des Moines and East Village
- Pre-Purchase in West Side Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Drake University Area
- Pre-Purchase in Northwest Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in North Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Northeast Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in East Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Southeast Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in South Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Southwest Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Des Moines Airport Area
- Pre-Purchase in Pleasant Hill
- Pre-Purchase in Berwick
- Pre-Purchase in Altoona
- Pre-Purchase in Windsor Heights
- Pre-Purchase in Urbandale
- Pre-Purchase in Clive
- Pre-Purchase in West Des Moines
- Pre-Purchase in Johnston
- Pre-Purchase in Ankeny
- Pre-Purchase in Norwalk
- Pre-Purchase in Carlisle
- Pre-Purchase in Runnells
- Pre-Purchase in Bondurant
- Pre-Purchase in Polk City
- Pre-Purchase in Grimes
- Pre-Purchase in Waukee
- Pre-Purchase in Mitchellville
- Pre-Purchase in Elkhart
Not sure if you're covered? Check your ZIP code.
Related
Related services
Termite Inspection and Treatment
A termite inspection looks for mud tubes, frass and damage in the structure, then sets out the options before any treatment.
General Pest Control
One visit covers the indoor pests that find their way into a Des Moines house, starting with an inspection.
New Construction Pest Prevention
A new house is checked for entry gaps and wood contact before the first season, and sealed where the builder left openings.
Fall Invader Control
Exclusion and timed barrier work keep boxelder bugs and lady beetles from overwintering inside a Des Moines house.
Guides
Read before you book
Pest Damage and Homeowners Insurance Claims in Iowa
A homeowner's insurance policy decides whether pest damage is covered, and insurers generally exclude damage from insects and vermin.
FAQ
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection FAQs
Is a pest inspection the same as a home inspection?
No. A pest inspection checks for signs of insects, rodents and wood damage and the openings that let them in. A home inspection covers the wider condition of the house. The buyer may want both.
Can the inspection find everything in the walls?
No. The technician inspects the accessible areas and reports the signs seen. Hidden spaces inside walls and under finished floors cannot be checked without opening the structure, and the report says so.
Who receives the report?
The report is written for the buyer, and the buyer decides who receives it, such as their agent or lender. The technician will explain the findings to the buyer or their representative.
How long does the inspection take?
It depends on the size of the house and the access. A small house with easy access takes less time than a large house with a crawl space and a full attic. The technician will give an estimate when the visit is booked.
What if the inspection finds activity?
The report describes what was seen and where. The buyer can ask the seller about repairs or a price adjustment, and can arrange a treatment or a specialist check. The technician explains the options without recommending work that is not needed.
Do I need the seller to be present?
Not usually. The technician needs access to the house, the basement, the crawl space and the attic if accessible. The seller or their agent can arrange that access on the day.