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Pre Purchase Pest Inspection
You’re possibly wondering why you need a pre-purchase pest inspection. Here in Australia in both old and new buildings we have a major problem with termites or better known as white ants.
These pesky little blighters can get into almost any think and can completely destroy any of the timber frame work throughout your time. They have even been reported cases of homes that are only being held together by the Gyprock sheeting.
When purchasing an established house try and find out as much history about the house as you can
- When the house was built?
- Has the house been renovated?
- Has the house had any termite problems previously?
- Has the house been treated against future termite attacks?
- How extensive was the damage?
- What treatment was carried out by who, also the chemicals that were used?
Pass this information on to the Company you have hired to do your pre-purchase pest inspection.
For aproximately an extra $50 you can request thermal imaging these days from most companies, this will not only detect possible leaking pipes but can also find concealed termite damage.
As we discussed before it is important to include in your Contract Subject Clauses a pre-purchase pest inspection. The inspection should comply with Australian standard 4349.3 which is nationally accepted.
The report will including your roof and floor timbers, internal walls, outbuildings and fences as the Pest can easily travel 50 meters underground so this outside inspection is definately necessary.
An inspection report prepared according to the standard will inform you about
- any current or previous damage
- any areas likely to be affected in the future
- when additional inspections are recommended to maintain effective physical and chemical barriers
We have already discussed when drawing up you contract one of the conditions of sale should be that you have the right to terminate the contract if the Pre-purchase pest inspection report is not
Favourable. You can also add conditions such as:–
- A reasonable time frame in which you expect the report to be carried out.
- Who will pay for treatment and / or repairs if the report indicates termite activity or damage
If the seller offers to pay for the inspection this may sound and seen the cheaper way to go.
A strong reasons for you to reject this offer and get your own inspection is that any inspector that you personally hire will have your best interests at heart not the sellers.