PEST INSPECTIONS

Choosing the right person to inspect the property

East Coast Building Inspections pair an experienced Licensed Pre Purchase Building Inspector ( Travis Reeves ) & Pest Inspector ( Paul Lee ) to develop a comprehensive property & pest inspection, both inspectors have been in their fields for over 20 years & have over 50 years experience between them, so you are getting two experienced inspectors on site together that gives you peace of mind. We strongly recommend that buyers carry out a combined Building and Pest Inspection to provide you with full insight into a property.

A professional person will ensure that the format and content of the report complies with the Australian Standard (AS 4349.3). Ensure that the person you choose has adequate insurance cover, particularly for professional indemnity.

Pest Inspections

A Pest Inspection, also known as a ‘Timber Pest Inspection’ is recommended before purchasing a property to ensure that no hidden structural issues exist. Timber pests include termites, wood borers and wood decay fungi (wood rot). These timber pests are common in all properties and can undermine timber structures.

It is highly important to get a pest inspection completed prior to purchasing a property to ensure what you are purchasing is free from future headaches, as major issue can be found during inspections, especially if termites are found once a property is purchased.

Such issues which can arise if there are active termites within your property; could be major and attract high costs to repair and to de-activate termite activity, Home and contents insurance will not cover the repair costs of any termite damage so, it is up to you the home owner for peace of mind to implement a maintenance program or carry out simple steps to reduce the risk of termite attack to your property.

Your home is your most valuable asset, so why not protect it from the one pest that can turn your home into a financial nightmare. No property is completely safe from invading termites and according to State Forestry research 1 in 4 homes encounter evidence of timber pest activity or damage costing Australian home owners millions of dollars each year.

East Coast Building Inspections strongly recommends that a Timber Pest Inspection of the property be carried out at a minimum of every twelve months to protect your investment. A timber pest report will report on Termite activity/damage, timber borer activity/damage and fungal decay and conditions conducive to termite or decay damage in the future. These reports are detailed, and informative.

You’ll get a detailed report that will ensure you are fully informed of any current, past or potential future issues. It will advise on required actions and likely costs involved, giving you a valuable negotiation tool if you’re considering purchasing the property. Our Pest Inspector will provide a report complying with the Australian Standard 4349.3 in an easy to read format including colour photographs of any relevant finding so you can see what the inspector is describing.

Why do I need a Pest Inspection Report?

Benefits of getting a pest inspection report done before buying a property are:

  • Knowing in advance what the problems are
  • Using the information to negotiate a lower price for the property ie. you may have to pay to repair some of the problems
  • Gaining specialist advice about any major problems and how they will affect the property over time.

Areas Inspected Are:

  • Interior of the building
  • Exterior of the building
  • Roof space
  • Sub-floor space
  • Site
  • Decks/ Verandas/ Patios
  • Garage, carport and garden shed
  • Separate laundry or toilet
  • Steps
  • Fencing
  • Surface water drainage
  • Storm water run-off
  • Paths and driveways.

What’s Inspected:

  • Subterranean Termites or evidence of termite activity and termite damage as well as evidence of any previous Termite treatment.
  • Timber borers or evidence of timber borers and damage.
  • Wood rot (wood decay fungi) damage and potential safety hazards in timber structures such as rotten timber steps, handrails and balconies.
  • We report on any conditions that may be conducive to Termite attack or conditions that can cause wood rot.
  • Mould
  • We also report on safety hazards with regard to timber structures.

Hints for your property.

  • Remove all untreated timber from around the property such as untreated fences, timber garden sleepers, decks, stairs and timber structures. Untreated timbers where possible should be replaced with termite resistant materials.
  • Timber post of pergolas, carports etc should be erected on steel stirrups to break timber contact with ground areas.
  • Termites are attracted to moisture therefore, it is important to rectify any plumbing leaks. Majority of hot water systems, water tanks and air conditioning units release water alongside or near external walls. Overflow pipes should be diverted into suitable drains or at least place a container underneath overflow.
  • Connect downpipes and gutters to storm water drains to prevent water and moisture build up to ground areas.
  • If you own a home constructed on a complete slab ensure concrete slab edges to the perimeter of your home or outbuildings remain visible for inspection purposes. Raised external soil areas, gardens or stored goods against external walls covering the slab edge inspection zone can lead to undetected termite entry.
  • If you own a home constructed on bearers and joists it is important to remove any scrap timber or timber formwork from the subfloor area. The subfloor area must be well ventilated to allow the cross flow of air. There are ways to improve subfloor ventilation such as using common mesh vents and replacing subfloor access doors with steel frame and mesh doors. Subfloor fans can also be installed to assist with ventilation.

You want peace of mind that your home or business is protected from the damage termites can cause.

We strongly recommend that buyers carry out a combined Building and Pest Inspection to provide you with full insight into a property.

Be wary of any Building & Pest Inspection report offered by the agent or the seller

Real estate agents will recommend a particular building & pest inspector to a prospective buyer sometimes a list of three is given out. How did these building inspectors “qualify” to get on the “approved” list? Are the agents recommending a thorough non-bias inspector or are the agents recommending someone who will help protect their potential commission?

If a real estate agent tells you that you cannot use an inspector of your choosing, or insists that you use one of their “recommended” or “approved” inspectors, you should seek Department Of Fair Trading.

As prospective home buyers you must keep in mind that real estate agents who receive a commission from the property seller, are working in the best interest of their client, (the seller). A real estate agent who tries to get you to use a building or pest inspector of the agent’s choice is trying to control the building & pest inspector selection process.

Our advice is for potential purchasers to do their own due diligence and to get their own property inspection report. The independence of a report is only guaranteed if it is obtained specifically by and for the buyer.

We partner with Geoff Lee & Son – Pest & Weed Control for our professional Pest Inspections.

“Our Reports Are Graphic Rich And Easy To Read Format”
What’s included in one of our Building Inspections?
Check out our sample inspection report.