Combined Building and Timber Pest Inspections: Why Most Australian Buyers Get Both

Most Australian pre-purchase inspections are sold as a "building and pest" combination. The building component is written to AS 4349.1, and the timber pest component is written to AS 4349.3-2010. Each has a specific scope, and one does not substitute for the other.

The timber pest inspection looks for evidence of subterranean termites, borers, wood-decaying fungi, and the conducive conditions that invite them in, moisture, soil contact, concealed timber, poor ventilation. Like the building inspection, it is visual and non-invasive: the inspector cannot move furniture or lift flooring, and they cannot inject termiticide barriers.

Termites are a nationwide risk in Australia, but they are particularly aggressive in northern and eastern states. Mastotermes darwiniensis, found across northern Australia, is the most destructive termite species in the world and can hollow out structural timbers within months.

The economics are also a factor: bundling a building and pest inspection is almost always cheaper than commissioning them separately, and a single inspector visit minimises disruption to the seller. Make sure your inspector is qualified and insured for both standards, not all are.