Whether you’re about to purchase a home or a commercial property, there’s a good chance it will be one of the most expensive and biggest decisions you’ll make.
Once you’ve found the perfect property, you want to ensure your new investment is structurally sound, and free from termites and other pests, and the damage they can cause. The importance of having a pre purchase termite inspection cannot be overemphasised since the damage termites do to a building can be devastating, and even steel-framed structures can suffer internal damage. Better to know before you sign the contract, than to find out too late that you have a hefty repair bill as well as your mortgage to pay.
Hidden Damage
A building may look good when you first take a look around, but termites like to remain hidden and will eat the woodwork from the inside out. Therefore your timber supports may seem sturdy but could collapse at any moment. Much of the damage termites and other pests cause is under the floor or inside the walls and roof cavity, and only a pre purchase termite inspections reveal how extensive the damage is.
Inspections are Often Required
If you’re planning to borrow the money to purchase your property, your lender will most likely require a pre purchase termite inspection and comprehensive report before the sale can be finalised. In many cases, finding termites and substantial termite damage in the building means you can legally terminate any purchase agreement you’ve signed, as long as it’s within the agreed timeframe.
The Termite Inspection
Your pest control service will do a thorough search for signs of termites and other pests such as wood borers, and determine the extent of any damage found. They will also inform you of previous attacks, any termite barriers and treatments, and whether the building has been inspected and treated regularly for termites.
Always Use a Professional
Many people insist on a building inspection before they buy a property, and rightly so. Since a building inspector and a pest inspector will often be looking at the same areas, it’s tempting to try to save money by combining your building and pest inspection and having just one person do both, but this is not recommended for a number of reasons. A building inspector is not trained or experienced in detecting pests, especially termites which are notoriously secretive.
The process of pest inspections and building inspections are very different, so always use a reputable and experienced pest control service for your pre purchase termite inspection – it can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Termite and Pest Control
Critters Pest Management is a family-owned and operated business that provides a range of professional pest control services for residential and commercial properties.
As well as specialising in termite control, we also ensure our treatments are gentle on the environment, which means they’re safe for your family and pets.
Call us on 1300 342 592, email us at admin@termitetreatment.com.au or contact us online for expert advice on all your pest control enquiries.