For owners and investors
Annual Building & Pest Inspection Gold Coast
The inspection for a property you already own. A combined building and timber pest assessment carried out every twelve months, so problems are found while they are still small — with the written photo report the same day. Call 0431 114 815.
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What it is
The Inspection for the Property You Already Own.
An annual building and pest inspection is a routine condition assessment of a property you own or manage, rather than one you are buying. It covers the same ground as a pre-purchase inspection — a visual, non-invasive assessment of the readily accessible areas, reported generally in accordance with AS 4349.1 and AS 4349.3 — carried out on a repeating twelve-month cycle.
Many owners never book one. They inspect a property thoroughly once, on the day they buy it, and then never look again. On the Gold Coast, where termites are active year-round in a warm, humid, subtropical climate and a wet season passes through every summer, that is a long time to go without looking.
Why annually
What Changes in Twelve Months.
More than owners expect — and almost none of it looks like a problem at the time. These are the changes we see most often between one inspection and the next.
| What changed | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A garden bed built up against the slab | Bridges the inspection zone at the slab edge and gives timber pests a concealed path to the building. |
| A new deck, pergola or retaining wall | New timber in contact with soil, and on steel-posted decks, a missing ant cap removes the termite barrier and the inspection zone in one go. |
| A blocked or disconnected downpipe | Water discharging beside the footings instead of into stormwater keeps the ground wet — a condition conducive to structural damage and timber pest attack. |
| A slow leak under a vanity or sink | Braided flexi hoses sit under constant mains pressure and are a leading cause of indoor water damage. Elevated moisture follows, and so does timber pest interest. |
| A tree stump left after removal | One of the most reliable termite magnets there is, and almost nobody connects it to the house. |
| Wear on the building itself | Roof bedding and pointing, flashings, wet-area sealant and balustrade fixings all degrade quietly on a twelve-month timescale. |
The pattern worth remembering: in our own inspections, termite activity turns up in the yard before it reaches the building. Tree stumps, timber boundary fences, garden sleepers and retaining walls are where the first evidence appears — which is why the site assessment matters as much as the walk through the house.
What it covers
Building and Timber Pest, Together.
| Area | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Building condition | A visual assessment of the readily accessible areas — interior, exterior, roof exterior where safe access allows, roof space, subfloor and the site — reported generally in accordance with AS 4349.1. |
| Timber pests | Termites, borers and wood decay fungi, plus the conditions conducive to them, reported generally in accordance with AS 4349.3. |
| Safety items | Balustrades, fall protection on elevated areas, stairs and handrails, and electrical items outside safe condition. |
| Moisture | Wet areas, balconies and the subfloor, using a moisture meter and thermal imaging as aids to the visual inspection. |
| The site | Surface water drainage, retaining walls, fences, sheds and the timber and vegetation around the building — where termite activity typically shows first. |
| Termite management | Whether a durable notice is visible and a termite management system can be confirmed. |
Why both rather than timber pest alone? Because the two overlap. Elevated moisture in a wet area is a building finding and a condition conducive to timber pest attack at the same time. A subfloor with poor drainage is both. An inspector doing one sees half the picture — more on the difference between a building and a pest inspection.
Who it is for
Owners, Investors and Landlords.
Owner-occupiers — particularly of older established houses, which is where live termite activity overwhelmingly shows up in our inspections, and where a subfloor and a roof space go unlooked-at for years at a time.
Investors and landlords — a tenanted property is one nobody with an owner’s eye is inspecting. Routine assessment puts the condition of the asset in writing each year, and catches maintenance items while they are still maintenance items.
Owners with a termite management system — where a system is installed it typically requires periodic inspection to remain effective and to keep any warranty attached to that system in place.
Anyone who has had activity before — a property where termite activity or damage has been found previously warrants closer and more frequent attention.
Common questions
Annual Inspections, Answered.
How often should an owner get one?
At least every twelve months. A timber pest inspection reports what was observed on the day, so it is a snapshot rather than a lasting clearance — and twelve months is long enough for conditions around a property to change materially in this climate.
I had one last year and it was clear. Why again?
Because it was accurate on the day, not a forecast. Termite activity develops over months, and most of the conditions that attract it are created after an inspection, not before one — a new garden bed, a new deck, a blocked downpipe, a leaking flexi hose.
Do I need this if I have a termite management system?
Yes, and arguably more so. Where a system is installed it typically requires periodic inspection to remain effective and to keep any warranty attached to that system in place. Skipping inspections can quietly undo protection already paid for.
Is this only for houses?
No, though the risk profile differs. In our own inspections, live termite activity has overwhelmingly turned up in older standalone houses rather than strata properties — but units are not immune, and conducive conditions are present in units just as they are in houses.
More: how often to inspect · what a durable notice is · when termite risk peaks · reducing termite risk
How It Works
Three Simple Steps. Same-Day Report.
Call Or Enquire
Send us the property address and let us know what inspection you need. We’ll confirm the fee upfront before you decide to book.
Booking & Inspection
Prior to the inspection we send you a simple booking form to review and fill in your details, and we can help coordinate access with you or the agent if needed. Payment can be made prior to the inspection, or prior to receiving your report.
Same-Day Written Report
You’ll receive a clear, photo-rich, easy-to-understand written report in your inbox the same day as the inspection. After every inspection we go through the report and findings with you, so you understand exactly what was observed and what the recommendations mean.
Reviews
What Our Clients Say.
★★★★★I really cannot recommend Rhys highly enough. A very diligent and thorough inspection and he provided us with a large amount of information both in his report and over the phone. If you're reading this review, you've found your building and pest inspector.
Ben · Google review
★★★★★Have used Rhys as both a seller and a buyer. His attention to detail is amazing. Detailed easy to understand report. And very quick response. Highly recommend.
Nardia Raynham · Google review
★★★★★I am so very lucky to have chosen CYTE to inspect a home we have on contract. Rhys was a total professional. Knowledgeable and his efforts to explain and communicate were second to none. Thank you Rhys you made our decision worthwhile.
Kat Seaman · Google review
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