The CL-100 Letter: South Carolina’s Termite Inspection Explained

If you’re buying a home in South Carolina, there’s a document with a name you’ve probably never heard before that will almost certainly show up in your transaction: the CL-100. Out-of-state buyers encounter this SC-specific requirement and often have no idea what it is, so here’s a clear explanation.

What a CL-100 Actually Is

The CL-100 is South Carolina’s official Wood Infestation Report — a standardized form completed by a licensed pest control operator documenting the presence or absence of wood-destroying organisms and conditions in a home. That includes termites, other wood-destroying insects, wood-decaying fungi, and visible evidence of past infestations or damage.

The name comes from the form designation itself, and while people casually call it a “termite letter,” it covers meaningfully more than just termites — including moisture-related fungal conditions that are common in Upstate SC crawl spaces given our humid climate.

Why It Matters in Your Transaction

Most lenders in South Carolina require a CL-100 before closing, since wood-destroying organisms can affect the structural integrity of the collateral securing the loan. Even in cash transactions where no lender requires it, obtaining one is simply smart due diligence in a state where termites and crawl space moisture are genuine, common realities.

What the Report Can Find

A CL-100 can come back clean, or it can note active infestation, evidence of previous infestation or treatment, visible damage from wood-destroying organisms, or conducive conditions like excessive crawl space moisture or wood-to-ground contact. Findings don’t automatically kill a transaction — many are treatable or repairable — but they do need to be addressed, and who pays for treatment or repairs becomes part of the negotiation between buyer and seller.

Timing and Who Orders It

The CL-100 is typically ordered during the transaction, and the report has a limited validity window, so it’s generally completed relatively close to closing rather than months in advance. Your agent coordinates this as a standard part of the closing timeline, but understanding what it is before it shows up on your closing checklist saves you the confusion most out-of-state buyers experience.

The Crawl Space Connection

Because so many Upstate SC homes sit on crawl space foundations, and because our humidity makes crawl space moisture a persistent regional reality, the fungal and moisture findings on a CL-100 are just as common as insect findings. This is one more reason crawl space condition deserves genuine attention during your inspection period — the CL-100 and your general home inspection work together to give you the full picture.

Questions about how the CL-100 fits into your specific transaction? Reach me at 864.913.8295 or Ambur.Davis@Century21Blackwell.com.