Termite Inspection Costs VIC 2026 - Get Free Quotes

What a Termite Inspection Involves

A termite inspection, more precisely a timber pest inspection, is a careful visual check of a building and its surrounds for termites, timber pest damage and the conditions that attract them, carried out to the Australian Standard. The inspector examines the inside of the home, the roof void, the subfloor where there is access, the exterior, and the grounds and outbuildings, looking for live termites, mud tubes, damage and the moisture and timber that draw termites in, and records it all in a written report. The point of the inspection is detection: finding any activity or risk early, while it is still manageable, rather than treating it. Because subterranean termites work out of sight and often show no obvious sign until the damage is advanced, this regular, methodical check is the single most useful thing an owner can do to protect a timber home.

It is worth being clear about what an inspection is and is not, since it is often confused with treatment. An inspection finds and reports on termites and the risk of them; it does not treat an active infestation or install any protection, which is a separate piece of work. Where an inspection finds termites or a real risk, the inspector recommends what is needed, and any treatment or barrier is then carried out under a termite inspection and treatment service. Keeping the two straight helps you ask for the right thing: a routine check, or a check plus the treatment that may follow. An inspection on its own is the common starting point, and it tells you whether any treatment is even needed.

This page sits within the wider family of pest work on a Victorian home. A termite inspection is a specialist part of pest control, distinct from general pest treatments because it concerns the structure of the building and follows its own Australian Standard. The same inspection, carried out when buying a property, is a pre-purchase pest inspection, usually combined with a building inspection. Knowing how these relate helps you ask for the inspection that suits your situation, whether routine or for a purchase. The underlying inspection is much the same; what differs is the timing and whether a building inspection is added.

This page is the Victorian guide to termite inspections: what they cost in 2026, how they are done, and how often to have one. It covers the Australian Standard and the report, the difference between routine and pre-purchase inspections, inspections for rentals, and choosing a qualified inspector. It sits alongside the broader guide to pest control in Victoria, the companion guide to termite inspection and treatment, and the national overview of pest control services. Ask which Australian Standard the work follows.

Termites and Timber Pests in Victoria

Subterranean termites are the main reason inspections matter in Victoria. They live in colonies in the soil and travel to a building through the ground or up through cracks and gaps, building mud tubes to reach the timber they feed on while staying hidden, and because they work from inside the timber outward, a serious infestation can be well advanced before any sign shows. They are common across much of Victoria, so a timber-framed home carries a real and avoidable risk. This concealment is precisely why a trained inspector, checking methodically and using the right tools, finds what an owner glancing around would miss.

The signs an inspector looks for are worth knowing, even though many are subtle. Mud tubes running up a wall, pier or foundation, timber that sounds hollow when tapped, blistered or rippled paint and skirting, doors or windows that suddenly stick, and small piles of frass or discarded wings near a nest are all signs of termites, while soft, damaged or hollowed timber points to past or present activity. Some of these an owner might notice, but many sit in the roof void, subfloor or behind finishes where only an inspection reaches them. Knowing the signs helps an owner act, but it does not replace a professional check. Many of the tell-tale signs sit in the roof void, subfloor or behind finishes, where only a proper inspection reaches them.

An inspection also assesses the conditions that attract termites, since these shape the risk. Leaking taps and pipes, poor drainage, garden beds and mulch against the house, stored timber and firewood near the building, and any bridging of a termite barrier by paths, paving or soil all create the damp, accessible conditions termites seek, and an inspector notes these conducive conditions in the report. Reducing them, by fixing leaks, improving drainage and keeping timber and mulch clear of the structure, lowers the risk. A good report points out not just any activity but the conditions making the home attractive in the first place. Putting those conditions right is often the most useful thing an owner can do between inspections.

Beyond subterranean termites, other timber pests are considered in the same inspection. Borers of seasoned timber and wood decay fungi, the rot that follows persistent damp, are timber pests that affect the soundness of a structure, and an inspection reports on these alongside termites. While subterranean termites are the most damaging and the usual focus, a thorough inspection gives the full picture of what is affecting the timber. Understanding that a timber pest inspection covers more than termites helps you read the report properly. A finding of borer or decay is about the soundness of the timber, separate from any termite activity.

Termite pressure varies across Victoria but is real in much of the state. Many Melbourne suburbs and regional areas carry a genuine termite risk, particularly properties near bushland, reserves or established trees, on larger blocks, or with older timber construction, and the level of risk shapes how often a home should be inspected. An inspector who knows the local conditions can advise on the risk for your area and property. Because termite damage is generally not covered by home insurance, this risk is one that falls on the owner to manage, which is what makes regular inspection so worthwhile.

Inspectors talk about conducive conditions, and these often matter as much as any activity found. These are the features of a home and its surrounds that make termite attack more likely, such as poor subfloor ventilation and drainage, leaking taps, pipes or hot water units, garden beds and mulch banked against the walls, timber retaining walls, stored firewood and offcuts near the building, and earth or paving that bridges over a termite barrier. None of these means termites are present, but together they describe how attractive and accessible a home is to them, which is why a report records them. Acting on the conducive conditions, by fixing leaks, improving drainage and clearing timber and mulch from the building, lowers the risk before any infestation begins. A report that lists conducive conditions is giving you a practical to-do list for protecting the home.

How a Termite Inspection Is Done

A termite inspection is a methodical visual check of the whole property, carried out to AS 4349.3, the Australian Standard for timber pest inspections. The inspector works through the building and grounds in a systematic way, examining the accessible areas in turn and recording what is found, and the inspection is visual, meaning the inspector reports on what can be seen and reasonably accessed, not opening up walls or floors. Because it follows a recognised standard, a proper inspection covers the areas and reports in the way the standard sets out. Asking whether the inspection is carried out to AS 4349.3 is a fair and revealing question. An inspector who works to the standard will say so readily and explain what it means for the inspection.

The interior of the home is checked room by room for signs of termites and timber pest damage. The inspector examines walls, skirtings, architraves, door and window frames, built-in timber, wet areas and anywhere timber is in contact with the structure, tapping and sounding suspect timber and looking for the blistering, staining and mud that indicate activity. Wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries get particular attention, since the moisture there attracts termites. The interior check is where damage that has reached the living spaces is found.

The roof void is a key part of the inspection, since it is a common place to find termites and damage. Where there is access, the inspector enters the roof void to examine the timber framing, the tops of internal walls and the underside of the roof for mud tubes, damaged timber and signs of activity, since termites readily travel up into a roof. This is an area an owner rarely sees, which is part of why an inspection matters. A roof void that cannot be safely accessed is reported as such, with the limitation noted.

The subfloor, where the building has one, is examined as another prime area for termite activity. In a home with a subfloor, the inspector accesses the space beneath the floor to check the bearers, joists, piers and the underside of the flooring for mud tubes, damage and the damp conditions termites need, since the subfloor is a frequent point of entry from the soil. Access, headroom and dampness affect how much can be inspected. Like the roof void, any part of the subfloor that cannot be safely reached is recorded as not inspected.

The exterior and grounds complete the inspection, since termites approach from outside. The inspector examines the external walls, weep holes, the base of the building and any termite barrier, along with the garden, fences, retaining walls, trees, stumps, outbuildings and stored timber, looking for activity, mud tubes and the conducive conditions that raise the risk. Trees and old stumps near a home are common termite nest sites worth checking. The grounds often reveal the source of a risk that the building alone would not show.

Modern inspections use tools that reveal what the eye alone cannot. Thermal imaging cameras can show the temperature differences associated with termite activity behind walls, moisture meters find the damp that termites need and create, and sounding and movement-detection tools help assess suspect timber and detect activity within it, so these aids improve detection without replacing a careful inspector. Where activity is suspected behind a finished surface, these tools help target where to look more closely. The technology supports the inspector's judgement rather than standing in for it, and a good inspector explains what the tools show.

The written report is the real output of the inspection and is worth reading closely. A report to AS 4349.3 sets out the areas that were inspected, any that could not be safely or reasonably accessed, the findings on termites, other timber pests and conducive conditions, and the recommendations, such as treatment, further investigation or a management plan. It also explains the limitations of a visual inspection, since the inspector cannot see inside walls or under floors without access, and notes anything that restricted the inspection on the day. Reading the report fully, not just the headline result, tells you what was and was not checked and what the inspector advises. A clear, detailed report is itself a sign of a thorough inspector.

Giving the inspector good access makes a real difference to what an inspection can find. Anything that cannot be safely or reasonably reached has to be reported as not inspected, so clearing stored items away from the subfloor access hatch, the roof manhole and the perimeter before the visit lets the inspector reach more of the building. Moving boxes away from internal walls, so the roof and subfloor entries are reachable, and trimming back vegetation against the walls all help. Securing pets and letting the inspector know of any known problem areas or past termite activity is useful too. The more of the home the inspector can access, the more complete and reliable the report will be. A little preparation beforehand gets more value from the inspection.

How Often to Inspect and What Comes Next

The standard advice is to have a termite inspection at least once every twelve months. The Australian Standards recommend inspections no more than twelve months apart for a timber-framed home, since termites can do significant damage in a year and a regular check catches activity early while it is still manageable. Treating an annual inspection as routine maintenance, not something to do only when a problem appears, is the right mindset. For most Victorian homes, a yearly inspection is the baseline. Booking it around the same time each year, such as before summer when termite activity rises, makes it easy to keep up.

Higher-risk properties warrant more frequent inspection. A home with a history of termite activity, near bushland, reserves or established trees, on a larger block, or where the slab edge, subfloor or other areas cannot be fully inspected, often benefits from an inspection every three to six months, since the risk is higher and earlier detection matters more. An inspector familiar with the local conditions can advise on a sensible interval for your property. The right frequency follows from the risk, not a single rule for every home. An inspector can set an interval that matches your property after seeing it for the first time.

A routine inspection and a pre-purchase inspection are the same check used for different purposes. The inspection carried out for an owner keeping an eye on their home, and the one carried out for a buyer before a purchase, both follow AS 4349.3, but the pre-purchase version is usually combined with a building inspection and timed around the conditions of sale. If you are buying, a pre-purchase pest inspection is the version to ask for, while an owner simply protecting their home asks for a routine termite inspection. Knowing which you need helps you brief the job correctly. If you are buying, say so, since the pre-purchase version is timed and reported with the sale in mind.

Combining a termite inspection with a building inspection is common and often sensible. Many buyers, and some owners, have a building inspection to AS 4349.1 carried out at the same time as the timber pest inspection, so the structure and the timber pests are assessed together in one visit, which is efficient and gives a fuller picture of the property. The two are separate standards and reports but are frequently done together. Asking whether a combined inspection suits your situation is worthwhile, particularly when buying.

What happens after the inspection depends on what it finds. Where the report is clear, the result is reassurance and a record, and a date to inspect again, while where it finds activity, damage or a real risk, the recommendation is to act, which means a termite inspection and treatment service to deal with the termites and protect the building. Where the report flags conducive conditions, addressing the moisture, drainage and timber contact reduces the risk before it becomes a problem. The inspection is the start of managing termites, not the end. What you do with the report, addressing conditions or arranging treatment, is what actually protects the home.

Where the inspector is in the roof void or subfloor anyway, other issues sometimes come to light. An inspection of these spaces can reveal signs of other visitors, such as rodents or possums in a roof, which are dealt with through rodent control or possum removal, or damp and ventilation issues worth addressing. While the inspector's focus is timber pests, a thorough check of these spaces is useful for the wider condition of the building. Acting on what the inspection turns up keeps the whole home in better order.

Because many timber pest inspectors are also full pest control operators, an inspection can be a convenient point to deal with other pests too. A home having its annual termite inspection can have everyday household pests covered in the same arrangement, and an operator who handles the full range can also deal with seasonal nuisances such as mosquitoes and fleas, or a wasp or bee nest noticed around the eaves during the inspection. This is a matter of convenience, not part of the inspection itself, which stays focused on timber pests. Still, combining the work where it makes sense saves separate call-outs and means one operator who knows the property. It is worth mentioning any other pest concerns when you book the inspection. Whether to bundle them is your choice, and a good operator will simply note them for you.

Australian Standards, Reports and Building Rules

Termite inspections in Victoria follow the Australian Standards closely, and these are worth knowing as a homeowner. A timber pest inspection is carried out to AS 4349.3, a building inspection to AS 4349.1, and termite management, where treatment follows, to AS 3660, all published by Standards Australia, and the standards recommend inspections at least every twelve months. An inspection and report that reference AS 4349.3 are being carried out to a recognised benchmark, which is what gives the report its value. Asking which standard the inspection follows is a fair question on any termite job. The standard is what defines a proper inspection, so it is reasonable to expect it named in the quote and the report.

Understanding what a report can and cannot tell you is important. A timber pest inspection is visual and limited to the areas that can be safely and reasonably accessed, so the report describes its scope and its limitations, noting any areas, such as a low subfloor, a sealed cavity or a finished wall, that could not be inspected. This does not make the report less valuable, but it means reading the limitations as well as the findings, since an area marked not inspected is not the same as one confirmed clear. A good inspector explains these limitations plainly, and a good report sets them out clearly.

The qualifications and licensing behind an inspection matter. A termite inspection should be carried out by an inspector qualified and experienced in timber pests, and in Victoria a pest control operator, who may also carry out any treatment that follows, is licensed through the Victorian Department of Health, while the inspector should also carry professional indemnity and public liability insurance. An inspector vague about their qualifications, standards or insurance is one to be cautious of. Confirming that the inspection is done to AS 4349.3 by a qualified, insured inspector is a sensible check.

For new homes and major building work, termite management is built in under the building rules, and inspections continue to matter afterwards. New Class 1 and 10 buildings must incorporate a termite management system to AS 3660.1 during construction, and building work in Victoria is regulated through the Building and Plumbing Commission, with a durable notice recording the system installed. Even with a new-build system in place, regular inspections remain important, since no system lasts forever and the protection needs checking over time. A new home is not exempt from the need for ongoing inspection. The built-in system reduces the risk, but only regular inspection confirms it is still doing its job.

A point worth understanding clearly is that termite damage is generally not covered by home insurance. Standard home and contents policies exclude damage caused by termites, treating it as a preventable maintenance issue, so the cost of any repairs usually falls on the owner, which is precisely why regular inspection is so valuable. An inspection is inexpensive against a repair bill that insurance will not meet, and a clear inspection record also helps demonstrate that a home has been properly maintained. The lack of insurance cover is the strongest argument for keeping up inspections. It turns a small annual cost into sensible protection against a bill no policy will pay.

Your consumer rights apply to a termite inspection as to any service. The inspection is a service, so it must be carried out with due care and skill and match what was described, protections backed nationally by the Australian Consumer Law overseen by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, while building and renovation consumer matters in Victoria sit with Consumer Affairs Victoria. Keeping the report and the quote is part of a job done properly and supports you if an inspection later proves to have missed something it should reasonably have found. These protections are there for your benefit and worth holding on to.

It helps to understand the kinds of recommendation a report may make, since they guide what you do next. A clear report with no activity and few conducive conditions recommends simply continuing regular inspections at the usual interval. Where conducive conditions are found, the recommendation is usually to address them, fixing the moisture, drainage or timber contact that raise the risk. Where there is evidence of past or present activity, the report recommends further investigation or treatment to AS 3660, carried out as a separate piece of work. Some reports also recommend a management plan or more frequent inspection for a higher-risk property. Reading and acting on these recommendations is the point of having the inspection in the first place.

Inspections for Rentals and Investment Properties

For an investment property, regular termite inspection is about protecting the asset itself. The damage termites do is to the structure, which is the owner's asset, and because it is not covered by insurance, an undetected infestation can mean a large, uninsured repair bill, so an annual inspection on a timber-framed rental is sensible and inexpensive protection. A landlord who keeps up inspections is guarding the value of the property. Skipping them to save a small annual cost is a false economy on a significant asset. A single missed year is all it takes for an infestation to do real, uninsured damage.

A landlord's maintenance obligations also point toward keeping a rental inspected. Under Victorian residential tenancy rules, a rental must be kept in good repair and in a reasonably fit and habitable condition, and structural damage from an untreated termite infestation works against that, with consumer and tenancy matters administered through Consumer Affairs Victoria. Arranging regular inspections, and acting on what they find, is part of maintaining the property properly. Catching termites early on a rental protects both the building and the tenancy.

A pre-purchase timber pest inspection is essential before buying an investment property. Before committing to a purchase, a pre-purchase pest inspection to AS 4349.3 reveals any termite activity, damage or conducive conditions, usually alongside a building inspection, so you understand what you are buying. The modest cost of the inspection is trivial against the risk of inheriting concealed termite damage on a property you have just bought. It is one of the most worthwhile checks a buyer can make. A clear timber pest report is part of a sound purchase decision.

Keeping a rental's conditions in order supports the protection between inspections. The same conditions that attract termites, leaks, poor drainage, and mulch or timber against the building, are partly within a landlord's control, so attending to them as routine maintenance reduces the risk and helps any termite barrier do its job. A record of regular inspections also demonstrates that the property has been properly cared for. Light, regular attention is cheap against the cost of termite repairs on an investment property.

For apartments, units and townhouses, termite inspection can involve an owners corporation as well as the individual owner. Where the building's structure, roof and subfloor are common property, arranging inspection of those shared spaces often falls to the owners corporation, not a single owner, while the interior of a unit is the owner's own concern. Because termites can move through connected roof and wall spaces, inspecting a single unit in isolation may miss activity elsewhere in the building, so a coordinated approach across a block gives a more reliable result. It is worth checking with the owners corporation or manager about what inspections are arranged for the common property. For a freestanding rental, the whole inspection is straightforwardly the owner's to arrange. Knowing where the responsibility sits helps make sure nothing is overlooked.

Choosing a Termite Inspector in Victoria

Qualifications, experience and insurance are the first things to confirm. A termite inspection should be carried out by an inspector qualified and experienced in timber pests, working to AS 4349.3 and carrying professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and in Victoria an operator who also treats is licensed through the Department of Health. An inspector vague about their qualifications, the standard they work to, or their insurance is one to be cautious of. A qualified, insured inspector working to the standard is the one to choose. The qualifications and insurance are what stand behind the report if it ever matters.

The thoroughness of the inspection and the clarity of the report matter as much as the price. Look for an inspector who checks the roof void, subfloor, interior and grounds rather than a quick walk-through, who uses thermal imaging and moisture detection where helpful, and who provides a clear, detailed written report that sets out the findings, the areas inspected and not inspected, and the recommendations. A report you can actually understand is part of the value. An inspector who takes the time and explains what they found is worth more than the cheapest quote.

Independence is worth a thought where an inspection might lead to treatment. Many inspectors are also pest control operators who carry out treatment, which is efficient and entirely legitimate, but it is reasonable to want an inspection and any recommendation that you can trust on its merits, so an inspector who reports honestly and does not overstate a problem to sell treatment is the one to value. Asking how they handle findings, and getting a clear report, helps. A trustworthy inspector gives you an accurate picture and lets you decide on any treatment.

What Drives Termite Inspection Pricing in Victoria

The size and construction of the building are the main drivers of the cost. A small, single-storey home with good access to the roof void and subfloor is quick to inspect, while a large, multi-level or complex home, or one with a difficult subfloor and extensive grounds, takes more time to inspect thoroughly. The more there is to check, and the harder it is to access, the more the inspection involves. A larger or harder-to-access property costs more than a small, accessible one.

Whether thermal imaging and moisture detection are used affects the cost. A standard visual inspection to the standard is the base cost, while the use of thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters, which improve detection of activity behind surfaces, adds a modest amount, and many inspectors include these as standard. The added detection is usually worth the small premium, particularly on a higher-risk property. Asking what tools are used, and whether they are included, helps you compare quotes properly.

Whether the inspection is combined with a building inspection changes the price and the value. A timber pest inspection on its own is the lower cost, while combining it with a building inspection to AS 4349.1, common when buying, costs more but covers both the structure and the timber pests in one visit. For a purchase, the combined inspection is often the better value. The scope you need, timber pests alone or building and pests together, shapes the cost.

Location, access and any repeat arrangement round out the cost. Awkward access, a large rural block or extensive grounds add time, a repeat or annual inspection on a property the inspector already knows may be a little cheaper, and your location matters, with inspectors competitive across metropolitan Melbourne while regional areas such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo may carry some travel cost. Comparing quotes on the same scope, the areas inspected, the tools used and the report provided, is how you see real value. A cheap, quick walk-through that skips the roof void or subfloor is not the saving it appears.

The cost of an inspection is best put in perspective against what it protects. A termite inspection is a modest, fairly predictable few hundred dollars, while the structural damage an undetected infestation can do runs into many thousands and is not covered by insurance. Seen this way, an annual inspection is among the cheapest forms of protection a homeowner can buy, comparable to a small insurance premium for a risk that insurance itself will not cover. The value is not only in finding active termites, but in confirming the home is clear, flagging the conditions that raise the risk, and building a record of regular checks. Skimping on inspection to save a small sum is a poor trade against the cost of a problem found too late. This is why regular inspection is treated as essential maintenance for a timber home rather than an optional expense.

What to Look Out For

The first thing to watch is an inspection that skips the key areas. The roof void, subfloor and grounds are where much termite activity is found, so be cautious of a quick, cheap walk-through that does not access these spaces, since an inspection that misses them can miss the very activity it is meant to find. A proper inspection to the standard reaches the accessible roof void, subfloor and grounds. An inspection that only glances around the living areas is not the protection it appears to be.

A vague report, or one that does not reference the standard, is a warning sign. A genuine timber pest inspection produces a clear written report to AS 4349.3 that sets out the areas inspected and not inspected, the findings and the recommendations, so a report that is vague, lacks detail or does not mention the standard is one to question. The report is the product you are paying for. A thin or unclear report is a sign of a thin inspection. The report is the lasting product of the visit, so its quality is a fair guide to the quality of the work.

An inspector who overstates a problem to sell treatment is worth guarding against. Because many inspectors also carry out treatment, it is reasonable to be alert to anyone who talks up a minor finding into an urgent, expensive treatment without clear evidence, so an inspector who reports honestly, shows you the evidence and lets you decide is the one to trust. A second opinion is always an option where a major treatment is recommended. Honest reporting is part of a trustworthy inspection.

Vague qualifications, missing insurance or no clear scope are reasons for caution. A qualified inspector can tell you their timber pest qualifications, the standard they work to and their insurance, so reluctance on any of these is a flag, as is an unclear scope of what the inspection covers. You are entitled to know who is inspecting your home and to what standard. An inspector clear about their qualifications, the standard and the scope is the one to choose. Straight answers to these questions usually go with a thorough, honest inspection.

How to Get Useful Quotes

Describing the property clearly is what gets you comparable quotes. Explain the type, age and size of the building, whether it is single or multi-level, on a slab or with a subfloor, the access to the roof void and subfloor, any history of termites, and whether you want a routine inspection or one for a purchase. Mention any signs you have noticed and whether you want a combined building inspection, since these affect the inspection and the quote. The more detail you give, the more accurate and comparable the quotes you receive.

Asking each inspector the same questions lets you compare fairly. Confirm that the inspection is to AS 4349.3, which areas it covers, the roof void, subfloor, interior and grounds, whether thermal imaging and moisture detection are included, and what the written report contains, and check the inspector's timber pest qualifications and insurance. Ask whether a combined building inspection suits if you are buying. Where the inspection sits alongside other needs, an inspector who connects with termite inspection and treatment for any work that follows, or a wider pest control visit, keeps it simple. Matching inspectors on the same scope and standard is what makes the comparison real.

A single job posted on The Quote Yard puts your inspection in front of qualified Victorian inspectors at once. Weigh the quotes on the qualifications and insurance, the areas inspected, the tools used and the clarity of the report, and not on the lowest figure alone. A termite inspection is worth getting right, since a thorough one catches activity early and an inadequate one can miss it, leaving an uninsured repair bill to grow. For reassurance especially, choose one that inspects to the standard, checks the roof void and subfloor, and gives a clear report. Where the inspection leads to treatment, you can move straight to a termite inspection and treatment service, or for a purchase to a pre-purchase pest inspection. The inspector worth choosing checks thoroughly to the standard, uses the right tools, and reports clearly.

Standards, Records and Consumer Rights

Every termite inspection in Victoria is carried out under the Australian Standard and, where treatment follows, pest control licensing. The inspection follows AS 4349.3, a building inspection AS 4349.1, and any termite management AS 3660, while an operator who treats is licensed through the Department of Health. The inspection is judged on its thoroughness, the areas covered and the clarity of the report. Confirming the standard, the qualifications and the insurance before the inspection is simple and worthwhile.

Keeping your inspection records matters more than with many services. Because termite damage is not insured and develops over time, a history of regular inspections to AS 4349.3 is both your early-warning system and a record that the home has been properly maintained, which can matter when selling or if a dispute arises. Keeping each report, with its findings and the date for the next inspection, builds this record. A consistent inspection history is part of looking after a timber home well. It is also reassuring for a future buyer, who can see the home has been regularly checked.

A termite inspection ties into the wider care of a Victorian home. It works alongside a termite inspection and treatment service where activity is found, and the broader range of pest control for the everyday household pests. Get the warranty terms stated in writing. Ask for the licence and timber pest authorisation.

The everyday household pests an inspection often turns up are handled separately, from cockroaches in the kitchen to the spiders that gather in the same subfloor and eaves. Termite damage is generally excluded from home insurance. Get the report before any treatment is quoted.

Other common pests are dealt with as they arise too, whether the ants that trail indoors or the silverfish living in stored boxes and roof spaces. Ask what areas could not be accessed and why.

Birds nesting in the eaves are managed through bird proofing, and the garden itself is served by garden pest and disease control. Annual inspection is the recommended minimum interval.

A wasp nest noticed during the inspection is cleared through wasp and bee removal, and any urgent problem is met by emergency pest control. Choose a qualified inspector who checks to AS 4349.3, reaches the roof void and subfloor, uses the right tools and reports clearly, and the termite inspection becomes the regular, inexpensive check that keeps a Victorian home structurally sound for the long term. Conducive conditions matter as much as active signs.