If you’ve bought, sold, or refinanced a home in South Carolina, you’ve probably heard the term "CL-100" without necessarily knowing what it covers. It’s short for the state’s official Wood Infestation Report form, and most lenders and closing attorneys in SC require a current one before a sale closes.
What it actually checks
A CL-100 documents whether a licensed inspector found any visible evidence of wood-destroying organisms — termites, wood-boring beetles, and, where relevant, decay fungus — in the readily accessible areas of a structure: crawlspaces, visible foundation, accessible attic space, and so on. It also notes any past treatment history on file and whether there’s an active bond or warranty. It is not a general home inspection and doesn’t evaluate anything beyond wood-destroying organisms and related conditions.
Why lenders and attorneys ask for one
Undisclosed termite damage is expensive to discover after closing, so it’s become a standard part of due diligence on most SC real estate transactions — similar in spirit to a title search, just for a different kind of risk. Most conventional and government-backed loans in the state require a clear (or explained) CL-100 before funding.
What happens if something is found
A finding on a CL-100 doesn’t automatically mean a closing falls apart — it usually means treatment (and sometimes repair) gets negotiated between buyer and seller before closing, or the closing date shifts to accommodate it. Catching it early, rather than days before closing, gives everyone more room to work it out calmly.
Timing
Because a CL-100 has to happen close to the closing date to stay valid for the lender, turnaround time matters — we turn ours around in 3–5 days specifically so it doesn’t become the thing holding up a closing. If you’re working against a closing date, it’s worth requesting the inspection as soon as it’s clear one will be needed rather than waiting until the last week.