Pre-Purchase Inspection Reports

Do you know exactly what you're buying?

Let Taylors Pest Services P/L take out the guess work.

Download a Pre-Purchase Inspection Agreement and email admin@taylorspestservices.com.au .

Our comprehensive Termite Pre-Purchase Inspection Reports are detailed and accurate, we can detect any current traces of infestations in the premises you are getting inspected, and have the knowledge and experience to detect any previous infestations that have cleared but left behind structural damage to the building or surrounding areas.

We also understand that "time is of the essence" when purchasing a house, which is why we can phone you immediately after the inspection is complete and provide a written report within 24 hours.

Reports to home buyers by pest control firms ('Pre-purchase inspections')

Many lending authorities require a buyer to obtain a report from a pest control firm before lending money for home purchase. The homebuyer or their agent is required to call in a pest control firm and pay for the inspection and buyer report.

Treatment proposals by pest control firms:

Where the pest control firm is proposing to carry out a treatment, in addition to their inspection report, they should supply the following:

• A statement giving details of the treatment methods proposed and costs involved
• A statement of the firm's obligations concerning the job. This statement should give details of any warranty covering the firm's work including specific information as to what is and what is not covered. It should clearly state whether the warranty applies only to structural components (i.e. timber frames) or to all components, including those that are non-structural ones such as fixtures and fittings. A warranty should provide for the making good of all damage including damage necessarily caused during repairs.
• A description of any action or inaction by the homeowner that may void any warranty pertaining to the treatment.

It is advisable that the homeowner obtains quotes from several pest control firms before making a decision and giving approval for work to commence.

If the pest control firm intends to carry out a toxic dust application as part of their termite treatment, the homeowner should require reinspection by the firm two to three weeks after treatment to make sure treatment has been effective.

Builders' obligations and warranties:

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) sets out technical requirements and guidelines for building construction, including compulsory minimum standards for measures designed to protect buildings from termites. In NSW, compliance with the BCA is made compulsory under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979).

A number of termite control options exist that may meet the provisions of the BCA. Compliance with AS 3660.1 (2000) is one option. The BCA allows for the use of alternative measures to those included in AS 3660.1. The acceptance of these alternatives is at the discretion of the appropriate local government authority.

Under the BCA, the use of protective measures is mandated for susceptible structural building members only. This means, for example, that the timber frame of a building must be protected, whereas skirting boards, door jams and kitchen furniture do not. However, in NSW legislation requires a higher standard than the BCA. The Home Building Act (1989) makes builders responsible for preventing termite damage to both structural and non-structural timbers and other components as part of an overall requirement to build a defect-free home.

The Home Building Act also provides for a statutory warranty of seven years for residential building work. If termites damage a building during the warranty period, as a result of substandard workmanship by the builder or one of the builder's contractors (e.g. the pest controller), home owners may be able to seek redress under this legislation.

Once termite attack has been detected, urgent attention is essential. The killing of those termites present in the building does not remove the danger of further attack. The first priority is to eradicate the colony giving rise to the infestation. Once eradication has been achieved or if eradication is unfeasible or repeated attempts at eradication are unsuccessful, the next priority is to establish or re-establish an effective barrier system around the building.

Procedures for the treatment of termite infestations are given in Australian Standard AS3660.2. Treatment often involves the application of hazardous chemicals. Sale of these chemicals is generally restricted to appropriately qualified pest controllers.

Download a Pre-Purchase Inspection form and email admin@taylorspestservices.com.au