152 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
A timber pest inspection is a visual check of every accessible part of a property for termites, wood borers and wood rot, plus the conditions that attract them. In Sydney, where humid summers and bushland edges keep termite pressure high, it is one of the most important checks you can book before buying or while you own a home.
Most common timber pestMost of the white ant damage we find in Sydney homes is caused by subterranean termites. They travel from the soil through mud tubes and eat skirting boards, door frames, floor bearers and roof timbers from the inside, so the surface often looks perfectly normal. We check for live termites, old damage and mud leads, and whether paving or garden beds have bridged an existing termite barrier. If we find live termites, we explain your options for termite treatment in Sydney and quote any work separately.
Older pine floorsWood borers are small beetles whose larvae tunnel through dry timber, leaving pinholes and fine powder behind. They are most common in older Sydney homes that still have original Baltic pine floorboards. A timber floor inspection from above and below the boards shows how far any tunnelling has spread and whether borer treatment is worthwhile or monitoring is enough.
Moisture-led decayFungal decay, better known as wood rot, sets in when timber stays wet. Leaking showers, blocked gutters, poor subfloor ventilation and decks built too close to the ground are common causes around Sydney. Because rot can look like termite damage, we take moisture readings, probe soft timber and note where the water is coming from, so the cause can be fixed.
Whether you are buying, selling or protecting the home you already own, the inspection is just as thorough. What changes is the focus of the report, so we confirm your purpose and any deadline when you book.
A pre-purchase timber pest inspection needs to happen fast in Sydney. NSW buyers get five business days to cool off after exchanging on a private sale, and no cooling-off period at auction. We book around your exchange or auction date and report clearly on active termites, past damage, high-risk areas and anything we could not reach, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Once you own the property, an annual timber pest inspection is the simplest way to catch termites before repairs become expensive. We also inspect units, townhouse complexes and commercial buildings, working around residents and business hours. Each building gets its own report, giving strata committees and insurers a dated record to keep on file.
Call 0468 288 969 or send the form with the address and your exchange or auction date. Book in the morning and we can often inspect the same day, and your written findings help you negotiate or walk away with confidence.
Our inspections are visual and non-invasive, so nothing is cut open or lifted without your written permission. Here is what happens from booking to report.
Tell us why you need the inspection and when you need the report. Before we arrive, clear the way to the roof manhole and subfloor entry and unlock sheds and side gates, because any area we cannot reach is listed as not inspected.
We work through every room, the roof void, the subfloor, outside walls and the yard, including fences, decks, stumps and trees near the house. A thermal camera, moisture meter and careful tapping help us find activity behind walls without drilling holes.
Before we leave, we explain what we found in plain English. Your written report follows with photos, findings, risk areas and recommendations. If treatment is needed, we quote it separately in writing, so there is no pressure to decide on the spot.
A good timber pest inspector takes their time, checks every area they can safely reach and writes a report you can act on. Apex is also a licensed pest exterminator, so if we find activity, we can quote treatment in writing straight after the inspection. Here is what Sydney buyers and homeowners get when they book Apex.
Our NSW licensed and insured inspectors follow the Australian Standard for timber pest inspections, so the scope and the report meet a benchmark your conveyancer will recognise.
Thermal cameras and moisture meters reveal termite activity and hidden damp behind plaster and inside timber, without cutting into walls or lifting floors.
No jargon and no padding. You get clear findings, photos and practical next steps, and if nothing is wrong, the report says so.
If we find termites, borers or rot, we explain your options and quote any treatment in writing. There is no obligation to use us, and we tell you plainly when treatment is not needed.
Clear answers to the questions Sydney buyers and homeowners ask before booking.
A timber pest inspection checks all accessible timber inside and around the property for termites, wood borers and wood rot, plus chemical delignification, a less common problem that weakens roof timbers. The inspector covers the interior, roof void, subfloor, outside walls and yard, and reports on conditions that attract timber pests. In Australia these inspections follow AS 4349.3.
A termite inspection looks only at termites and the protection around your home. A timber pest inspection also covers borers and wood rot, which is why buyers and conveyancers usually ask for it. If you already own the home and termites are your main concern, a termite inspection in Sydney may suit you better.
Not always. A building inspection checks structural defects under a separate standard, AS 4349.1. A combined building and timber pest inspection covers both, so confirm what your inspector has included before relying on the report.
Yes, for most buyers. Termite damage is hard to see, is usually excluded from home insurance and can be costly to repair. A report before you commit tells you what you are buying and gives you time to get a treatment quote, ask the agent questions or rethink your offer.
An average house takes around two to three hours, plus a few minutes to go over what we found. Two-storey homes, tight subfloors, big yards and outbuildings take longer, while units and townhouses are usually quicker.
The price depends on the size of the property, how it is built, the number of outbuildings and how easily we can reach the roof void and subfloor. We quote for your property before booking, so you know exactly what is included.
At least every 12 months. Properties near bushland, homes with timber floors and anywhere termites have been found before may need a check every six months. It is also worth booking after building work, new paving or garden beds, or a long-running leak. Read more in our guide to how often pest control and inspections are needed.
A report only describes the property as it was at the time of inspection. Termites can move in at any time afterwards, so if settlement is delayed by months or you are relying on an older report, book a fresh inspection.
Yes, and it often is. Termite damage usually follows the grain and is packed with soil or mud, while rotten timber turns soft, crumbles or splits into small cubes with no tunnels. Moisture readings help confirm it, because rot only develops in timber that stays damp. Our guide to spotting termites versus water damage in soft floorboards explains more.
Avoid spraying them or breaking open the damaged timber. Your report shows where the activity is and what we recommend, which usually means treating the colony first and then protecting the building. We can quote treatment in writing, and you are free to compare quotes.
Yes. For a single unit we inspect the unit and any common areas we can access, and note what was outside the scope. For strata committees we can inspect the whole site and report on each building separately.
Tell us the property address, the type of property and why you need the inspection. We will confirm a time, inspect thoroughly and send a clear written report. Call 0468 288 969 or send the form to book your timber inspection in Sydney. For other pests, see our Sydney pest control services.
With over 10 years of experience, we’re committed to keeping homes and businesses safe and pest-free. Our team focuses on fast, reliable service you can depend on.
We provide eco-friendly pest control solutions designed to protect your property without hassle. From inspections to treatments, we deliver results that last.
152 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
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