Is Pest (Termite) Inspection Needed Every Year?

sss143 on 09/08/2021 - 13:31
Last edited 09/08/2021 - 13:37 by 1 other user

I've bought this new house (H&L package) from one of the reputed builder. They installed termite barriers and all that as part of building construction.
And their document says that - it needed yearly inspection (costs around $300) to maintain the warranty of 10 years.

So $3000 for 10 years and also they would have charged some money as part of the system installation.

Does anyone has experience on this please? Is there any way to reduce expenses on this? I don't think, I can change the company now as they installed the system.

Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Mokr on 09/08/2021 - 13:37

    ask your neighbours - if anyone has termities - def get one if anyone in 50-100 meters has them

    • sss143 on 09/08/2021 - 13:51

      I will have to try that. Thnks

  • Presence on 09/08/2021 - 13:38

    What's the house made of and where do you live?

    • sss143 on 09/08/2021 - 13:51

      It's a new estate at Pakenham and I guess it is Brick veneer

      • Euphemistic on 09/08/2021 - 15:45

        Timber or steel frame?

  • Mechz on 09/08/2021 - 14:09

    That's how they get you.

    Save yourself 3k by going for steel frames. Not sure what the cost difference is though.

    • sss143 on 09/08/2021 - 14:39

      Right now this is out of my options :)

    • Catullus on 09/08/2021 - 15:06
      +3

      Steel frames won't stop them. They'll eat the paper on the gyprock and also timber trim.

  • iamherenow on 09/08/2021 - 14:26

    10 year warranty for what? If it's just about potential termite damage, you could be like the other 99% of house owners and not be covered. Or do you need to commit as part of the package?

    • sss143 on 09/08/2021 - 14:38

      At every inspection they fix issues if they found any as long as I'm inspecting with them yearly.
      Any case, if I miss any yearly inspection then they are not liable to fix the damage at following inspection ( Fox ex: I missed last year inspection. Now if I book an inspection in this year they are not responsible for any termite damage as I missed last year's. But they will cover for next 12 months as I have done it this year).

      Hope that clarifies your question.

      So are you saying 99% of house owners don't do this? Sorry If I have not understood your point.

      • Mechz on 09/08/2021 - 14:47

        Get a quote on a termite pesticide controller coming and doing the poison every year. I guess that's the best way to put it in perspective.

      • Catullus on 09/08/2021 - 15:03

        They don't fix the damage for $300, they just come and spray and drill to stop the new infestation.

  • tebbybabes on 09/08/2021 - 14:59

    I have the same warranty. The inspection, in my case, does not need to be done by the same mob. Any licensed pest controller can do the inspection and certify his report. Since I have the pest controller come in biennially anyway to do a spray, the inspections are done at the same time.

    The way I understand it, the warranty is that their termite barrier is still in good nick and doing it's job. so no rips, tears, leaks, etc. If it's inspected and a defect is found, the warranty will fix the barrier. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it. Personally, I'd want that barrier fixed if any potential ingress sites occur.

    My pest controller charged me $250 for entire multistory treament as well as surrounds, including the inspection.

    The mob who installed the barrier wanted 260 (2018) for inspection alone and if they did the complete treatment package against general pests, they wanted $430 (2018)

  • pharkurnell on 09/08/2021 - 16:09

    Inspection is cheap insurance.

  • hentabara on 09/08/2021 - 17:18

    Consider this as home insurance for termite.
    Normal home insurance doesn't cover termite issues.

    If it is a new estate, I think you can start termite barrier after 5 years (it should be generally free of termite within the first 5 years)

  • Daniel Plainview on 09/08/2021 - 17:40
    +1

    As others have essentially said the answer is YES, if you want their warranty to apply you must meet the terms of their warranty. Pretty logical.

    Think of it like a new car warranty, if you didn't get the car serviced at ALL you could hardly expect the manufacturer's warranty in year 4 to cover an engine issue. But you don't need to have the servicing done at the dealer, any licensed workshop is fine.

    Exactly the same for your warranty.

    Each property is different BUT strongly consider reading up on doing your own chemical barrier etc - its NOT for everyone due to time restraints, skillset, property etc but is super easy to do, the same chemicals are available now that the pro's use and there's plenty of documentation out on how to do it.

    Our property is of low risk of termites in terms of its build materials but in a highish risk area - did it myself, involved drilling 300+ holes through the concrete foundation and injection fipronil solution to make a barrier thats good for minimum 10yrs. Took a while to do but cost me under $500 including all the tools and professionally it'd have been $5000-8000+. Great thread on it over at Whirlpool, mine was a tough property to do so for nearly everyone its much simpler.

  • Dundundunnnn on 10/08/2021 - 06:11

    Quite often it is a condition of your home loan and building insurance to maintain and have it inspected annually as a minimum.

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