Looking to buy a property? You should get a termite inspection. It could save you a whole lot of money in the long run.
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How Will A Termite Inspections Save You Money?
Good question. So glad you asked. Termites have an uncanny ability to live undetected in homes. They can eat away at timbers, including structural timbers, without anyone noticing. Often, once the termites are discovered, tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage has been done.
We consulted with a local termite inspector, Richard at Gold Coast Pest Inspector, and he detailed some of the damages he’s seen just this last week. (Not, this year, or this month. This week.)
Let’s start with the structural damage. This image below shows a roof joist that will have to be replaced. Termites ate their way clear through it.
The next client he saw was wondering why they were having power problems. The lights kept flickering on and off. An electrician had attended, who alerted the owners of the problem. Richard’s inspection found this, below.
It didn’t stop there though. The same place had a termite nest inside a wall cavity. This highlights the issues you can have with termites. By the time they’re discovered you’re already up for a lot of money in repairs.
There were many other images he gave us from his week of work. We won’t show them all. But before we finish with them, let’s have a look at this one below. We’ve saved the best (or worst, in this case) for last.
What you see below is what is left of a bathroom.
Have you done a bathroom renovation recently? I did mine myself, and it still cost me $5,000. A friend has a quote of $30,000 for a quite modest renovation. What you’re looking at here is, therefore, a very expensive disaster for the homeowner.
Cost Of Termite Damage
The average cost of termite damage in Australia (where Richard is based) is $10,000. The higher end would make your eyes water. Richard recently saw $70,000 damage in a home that had been purchased just 3 months earlier. That is most definitely the kind of expense you don’t want just after you’ve moved into your new home.
xMost insurance doesn’t cover termite damage.
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspections
The best way to avoid the kind of unexpected expenses we’ve listed above is to get a pre-purcahse termite inspection. You’ll probably get a building and pest inspection. Make sure your inspections are done two specialists, not one person multi-tasking. Building inspectors can (in many jurisdictions) do a short course that allows them to do pest inspections. This isn’t satisfactory if you’re spending the kind of money required to buy a home these days. Get an expert building inspector and an expert pest inspector.
Make sure you inspectors allow you to be present during the inspection. They’ll make you a written report but you want to be there and benefit from their experience while they’re doing the inspection. There are a load of nuances that you will need to discuss. With a termites inspection, for example, the inspector might find termite activity in your garden. He/she can discuss with you how important this is and how to mitigate your risk. They might find termite damage in your home but no actual termites. You’ll need to discuss with them what this means and whether it is a concern or not.
A good inspector, both building and pest, will discuss many other issues with you also. They’ll both be concerned with reducing damp. They might suggest things for your bathroom, like applying a new seal of silicon or installing a ceiling fan. They might tell you to remove plantings that are up against the home. These are just a few examples of the many things you’ll learn accompanying your inspector during the inspection process.
You Really Should Get A Termite Inspection
Hopefully you’re convinced now. You’re spending a lot of money when you buy a home. The cost of an inspection is trivial in comparison. Termites are sneaky and voracious. So remember, you should get termite inspection.
