Question 1

What does an AS 3660 termite inspection include?

Accepted Answer

AS 3660.2 inspections cover every accessible area of the property: external perimeter (including weepholes, slab edge, retaining walls, fence lines), subfloor (where accessible), roof void, every internal room and wall, all wet areas, garage, outbuildings (shed, granny flat, pool house), and the garden out to the property boundary. We use visual inspection plus thermal imaging (Flir or Testo to detect moisture and active workings inside walls), moisture meters (Tramex or Protimeter for confirmation), and a borescope for direct visual inspection inside wall cavities or behind built-ins where activity is suspected. A standard 3–4 bedroom single-storey inspection takes 90–120 minutes. Written report within 24 hours, AS 4349.3 / AS 3660.2 compliant, settlement-ready.

Question 2

How long does a termite inspection take?

Accepted Answer

A standard 3–4 bedroom single-storey in Officer or Cardinia Lakes takes 90–120 minutes on-site. Double-storey or larger homes 2–3 hours. Acreage with multiple structures (shed, granny flat) 2.5–4 hours. We don't rush — the cost of missing active termites is far higher than the extra 30 minutes spent on a thorough inspection.

Question 3

What thermal imaging actually shows.

Accepted Answer

Thermal cameras (we use Flir E-series and Testo IR) detect temperature differentials of 0.1°C across a wall surface. Active termite workings inside a wall cavity show as a warmer area (the metabolic activity of the colony plus the moisture they bring with them). Recent leaks, damp subfloor areas, and missing wall insulation all show up at the same time. Thermal is a screening tool — every hotspot gets confirmed with a moisture meter and, where needed, a borescope. We don't diagnose termites on thermal alone, we use it to find the spots worth examining closely.

Question 4

Pre-purchase vs annual inspection — what's different?

Accepted Answer

Same physical inspection methodology, different report format. Pre-purchase inspections are settlement-grade — extra detail on every conducive condition, photographs of every concern, explicit risk-rating of the property, and clear recommendations for the buyer's pre-settlement negotiation. Pricing is $50–$100 higher than a standard annual inspection because the report takes longer to prepare and the liability exposure is higher (we're reporting to a buyer who's about to spend $700K+ on the strength of our findings). Annual inspections are more compact reports focused on year-over-year change tracking.

Question 5

What if you find active termites during the inspection?

Accepted Answer

First rule: don't panic, and don't disturb the workings. If we find active termites we'll show you on-site, photograph everything, and quote the treatment options before we leave. We don't apply treatment during the inspection — that's a separate booking with proper preparation, safety data sheets, and the right products. Typical timeline from inspection-finding-termites to active-treatment is 3–7 days. We can apply foaming Termidor at the site of the workings during a return visit (kills the workers immediately, starts the colony elimination), then plan the full soil barrier or baiting program after. Active findings increase the inspection cost slightly to cover the extra reporting.

Question 6

Will the inspection void my insurance or affect my home loan?

Accepted Answer

The opposite. Most household insurers since 2023 require evidence of annual termite inspection to honour structural damage claims caused by undiscovered termite activity. Banks and lenders increasingly request a current AS 3660.2 inspection report at refinance. Our reports are accepted by every major Australian insurer and lender. Skip the inspections and you risk a denied claim — the inspection cost is a tiny fraction of the potential exposure.

Question 7

Do you check sheds, granny flats and pool houses too?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and these often have the highest activity. Detached timber-frame structures don't usually have a TMR termite barrier installed, sit directly on soil or on shallow concrete pads with timber subfloor, and accumulate firewood, garden tools and timber offcuts that attract foraging colonies. We include them in every inspection at no extra cost on smaller properties. On 1ha+ acreage where there are multiple large outbuildings we may charge a small surcharge ($80–$150) to cover the extra time.

Question 8

How much does the inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

Standard 3–4 bedroom single-storey in Officer, Cardinia Lakes, Pakenham or Beaconsfield: $350–$550. Double-storey or 5-bdr: $500–$800. Pre-purchase / settlement inspection: add $50–$100 for the more detailed report. Acreage with multiple structures: $600–$950. The price is fixed in advance from a quick phone call — postcode, build year, single or double-storey, slab or stumps. No surprises on the day.

Termite inspections in Officer & Cardinia Shire.

What we actually do on an inspection.

1. External perimeter walk.

2. Subfloor crawl (where accessible).

3. Roof void.

4. Internal walls and wet areas.

5. Garden, outbuildings, fences.

The tools we carry.

The written report.

Where we inspect.

Book your AS 3660 inspection.