The building inspection gets the attention, but in South-East Queensland the timber pest inspection is often where the highest-stakes findings live. Termite damage is generally not covered by home insurance — which makes the inspection to AS 4349.3 a critical part of your due diligence.
What AS 4349.3 covers
A timber pest inspection is a visual, non-invasive assessment of the reasonably accessible areas for evidence of three things:
- Subterranean termites — active termites, workings, damage or evidence of previous treatment
- Wood borers — evidence of borer activity in structural and decorative timbers
- Fungal decay — timber decay associated with persistent moisture
Just as importantly, it identifies conducive conditions: the moisture sources, timber-to-soil contact, stored timber, garden beds against walls and poor ventilation that make a property attractive to timber pests in the first place.
Why a yearly inspection matters
A timber pest inspection reports the evidence that is observable at the time of inspection across the reasonably accessible areas — active workings, damage and the conducive conditions that invite them. Because termites can travel concealed inside walls or below ground, a fresh inspection at least once a year is strongly recommended in our climate, so you stay ahead of activity rather than relying on a single snapshot at purchase.
Every CYTE combined inspection includes the timber pest assessment, with findings in the same written, photo-rich report, delivered the same day.
For practical prevention steps, see our article on five ways to reduce termite risk, and for unit and apartment buyers, our guide to why ground-floor units face higher termite risk. Read more in our FAQs.
Every CYTE combined building and pest inspection includes the AS 4349.3 timber pest assessment. Call 0431 114 815 to book.