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When it comes to comparing termite inspection costs in Sydney, the phrase “time is money” springs to mind. This is because the main driver of termite inspection prices is how long the inspection takes.
What factors impact how long a termite inspection takes?
The size of the house
It may sound obvious but the larger the house, the longer the inspection will take. To do a comprehensive inspection, each room needs to be inspected in turn. So, the more rooms, and the bigger the rooms, the longer the inspection will take.
The construction type of the house
Two areas of houses that take a long time to inspect are the roof void and sub-floor. A good inspector has to spend time inspecting each structural timber in turn. Of course, it can take a bit of time to climb through these areas too! Most (but not all) houses will have a roof void, but only houses built on piers will have a sub-floor to inspect. As a result, for houses of the same size, a house on a concrete slab will be quicker (and cheaper) to inspect than a house built on piers.
The size of the property
When an inspection is carried out, it is also necessary to inspect land around the building on the property (up to 30 m from the building). Clearly the larger the area of land to inspect, the longer it will take. This is especially the case if there are a lot of trees on the property, as these need to be inspected for damage and potential termite nests.
Additional features on the property
There could be a number of other features on the property, outside the main building which require inspection and therefore add time and cost to the inspection. These include pergolas, sheds, timber fences, wood retaining walls and other features that could come under termite attack.
How long should a termite inspection take?
So, when you add all these things up, the amount of time it takes to carry out a termite inspection can be quite variable. However, as a guide a termite inspection on an average 4-bedroom house on a concrete slab should take at least 1.5 hrs. Certainly if the inspection takes nearer 1 hr, you should be concerned that they have rushed the inspection, as it’s just not possible to inspect a house throughly in that time.
When considering the overall price of the termite inspection, don’t forget the termite inspector also has to complete the report and has travel time to your property. Put together, an average termite inspection can take at least 2.5-3 hrs.
Other factors that impact the termite inspection cost?
There are two other factors that will affect the cost of termite inspections. The first, which is very important, is that experienced, high quality inspectors will generally charge a slightly higher price than less experienced inspectors / companies. When you’re trying to protect your home, if you don’t have a termite inspector you normally use or your friends can’t recommend one, choosing a termite inspector with experience certainly provides that extra degree of confidence. Secondly, termite inspectors using the latest equipment may charge a premium.
What if the inspector finds termites?
If the inspector finds something suspicious, the inspection may take a lot longer – they obviously need to investigate to be sure one way or another. Obviously, this can have a big impact on their schedule for the day, so you need a company that has flexibility in their scheduling and good office support – you don’t want the inspector rushing and missing something!
At Serial Pest Control if we find termite activity, we will explain to you want is going on and discuss with you the various treatment options to get rid of the termites and protect your home. We will then put the details in a formal termite treatment proposal for your consideration.
Bottom line: When you’re protecting your home – probably your most valuable asset – you should be using an experienced inspector who takes their time to do a thorough inspection. It’s important to have a good inspection, not a cheap (quick) inspection.
