Every technician on our team spends six to nine months working alongside a senior technician before running jobs solo. That’s what shapes how we read a Melbourne property, not just a checklist.
If someone else, a vendor, agent or conveyancer, recommends an inspector, ask two things. Do they hold a Victorian pest management licence, and is the report written to AS 4349.3. That’s what actually tells you what you’re getting.
| Area | What We Check | What We Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, joinery, skirting boards, door and window frames, wet areas | Mud tubes, hollow or damaged timber, frass, moisture damage, fungal decay |
| Roof Void | Rafters, purlins, timber lining, insulation areas and eave joins where accessible | Frass, hollow or damaged timber, fungal decay, moisture staining, entry points from eaves |
| Subfloor | Bearers, joists, stumps, footings, drainage, ventilation and moisture levels | Mud tubes, damaged timber, high moisture, blocked weep holes, poor ventilation |
| Exterior | External walls, weep holes, expansion joints, window and door frames, fascia and soffits, base of brickwork | Mud tubes, damaged or hollow timber, timber touching soil, moisture ingress staining |
| Grounds | Fences, decks, pergolas, retaining walls, garden beds, stored timber, stumps within 50 metres | Signs of pest activity, damaged timber, timber in contact with soil, moisture around the building perimeter |
The subfloor is what buyers miss most. Damp subfloors, timber stumps in soil and poor cross-ventilation turn up regularly on Melbourne jobs built between the 1940s and 1970s, and they can let hidden timber pest activity continue for years without anything showing at ground level. A brick veneer with a single subfloor hatch needs moisture readings taken right across the space, a weatherboard on stumps needs the ground-level and bearer areas covered first. We adjust for that once we’re inside.
Reports go out within 24 hours. We can send a copy straight to your solicitor or conveyancer.
A pre-purchase inspection would have picked up the subfloor moisture and the conditions behind that wall while there was still time to negotiate or walk away. The inspection costs a lot less than that repair bill did. Call (03) 9034 5957 before your cooling-off period runs out.
AS 4349.3 is a visual, non-invasive inspection of what we can safely reach. It doesn’t cover behind built-in furniture, under floor coverings, inside wall cavities, or anywhere we can’t safely access, and the report says so.
Call (03) 9034 5957 or use our online form for a free quote.
Every technician holds a current Victorian pest management licence and a Certificate III in Urban Pest Management, spends six to nine months supervised before working solo, and does at least 12 hours of continuing training a year. Our AEPMA membership is verifiable on the public register at aepma.com.au.
Through the laundry subfloor hatch we found active subterranean termite mud tubes and bearer hollowing along the southern perimeter wall. The Termatrac T3i picked up movement in the wall cavity above it, in the front bedroom, meaning the termites had already moved into the frame. Moisture readings were elevated at three points along that wall, and outside, landscaping timbers sitting against the brickwork and in the soil turned out to be the hidden pathway from the garden into the subfloor. We identified the species as Coptotermes and documented it in the report, none of it visible from inside.
The written report was with the buyers by 9pm that evening, inside the cooling-off deadline. It identified the termite risk areas, and the buyers used our termite inspection to work through options with the vendor before settlement. The vendor agreed to a price reduction within 48 hours covering the recommended work, and the buyers went ahead with the purchase.
This is a common pattern on Melbourne pre-purchase jobs: nothing visible inside, the real risk in the subfloor or a garden bed, and a tight window to act on it. Call (03) 9034 5957.
Found something concerning in your report? See our termite control and treatment options for what to do next.
It checks the property for active pest activity, timber damage and conditions that may cause problems later. A licensed timber pest inspector does the inspection and gives you a written report.
We check the property using a moisture meter, thermal imaging camera and the Termatrac T3i where access allows, looking for termites, timber damage, fungal decay, wood borers and risk conditions. You get a written AS 4349.3 report with the findings and next steps.
AS 4349.3, the Australian Standard for timber pest inspection reports. It covers inspection scope, reporting format, findings, limitations and recommendations, and is commonly requested during property due diligence in Victoria. Ask any inspector you’re considering whether their report is written to this standard.
Treatment products are APVMA-registered and applied to label directions by licensed technicians. Your technician will explain access restrictions and precautions before treatment starts.
One to two hours for a standard single-storey home. Larger properties or restricted access take longer, and we’ll give you an estimate before starting.
Anyone buying property in Melbourne, before the cooling-off period ends. This covers houses, units, apartments with timber elements and commercial properties. Termite and timber issues aren’t always visible on a walk-through and might not be disclosed by the vendor.
There’s no legal requirement about who pays. In practice, buyers arrange and pay for their own pre-purchase inspection as part of due diligence, since it’s for their benefit before they commit. A vendor can commission a separate vendor inspection report before listing, which is booked and paid for by the seller.
Not by law in Victoria. But without one, you have no way of knowing whether the property has termite activity or timber damage, and termite damage is excluded from most home insurance policies, so anything found after settlement is on you.
A pre-purchase inspection costs far less than repairing hidden timber pest damage found after you’ve settled, and it gives you a written report to negotiate a price reduction, request the vendor address the issue, or reconsider the purchase within your cooling-off period.
Yes. If we find timber pest activity, damage or other concerns, you can use that to negotiate before settlement, ask the vendor to address the issue, negotiate a price reduction, or reconsider within the cooling-off period. Your solicitor will advise based on the contract and our findings. We can give you a written cost estimate to support that conversation.
Very friendly, provided great feedback and suggestions and explained the process well. Report was available very promptly. Certainly recommend the team and we’ll be using them again for our next check.
Roman from Tom’s pest control did the job for me and he was amazing! So patient as he had to wait for a tradesman to finish repairing inside. He was very kind and explained everything to me. I really recommend this company
Have used Tom’s Pest Control for quite a few years. Very punctual, and know what they are doing, at a fair price. Would recommend.
James came on time and quickly assured me that the previous treatment by Tom’s Pest Control had been effective. I was grateful for the prompt service and reassured by James’ written report.
Tom’s Pest Control was very professional and prompt with communicating cost & booking appointment.
Pricing was fair and no extra hidden costs!!
Highly recommend!!
Recently had a annual termite inspection from Tom’s Pest Control. Company communicated their appointment time, showed up as scheduled, completed a very professional inspection by friendly and informed rep, and provided a detailed report. No complaints
Great prices. Brendan is very knowledgeable, helpful and professional. He did a thorough inspection of my double storey house. I’m very happy with the work and will recommend friends to get their services.
I was not home but my daughter told me the gentleman who attended was very professional. She had the baby asleep and he took particular care not to make too much noise. Will definitely be using Tom’s in the future.
David did an excellent job. He was very thorough and detailed in assessing the situation in my apartment and cooperated with his team of experts to ensure he can give the best advice and solution to my pest issue. I was very happy with the whole process of engaging Tom’s pest control and appreciated their responsiveness, professionality and honesty.
Excellent, professional and great service.A thorough inspection for termites and clear communication Highly recommend them to anyone. And will happily use their service again Great Job!!
Key Takeaways A building and pest inspection covers more than termites: rodents, cockroaches, ants and bed bugs are all part of a…
The best time to book is while your cooling-off period is still running, that’s when you can still negotiate, ask for repairs, or pull out if something turns up. We can usually get to most Melbourne properties the same day or next day, and written AS 4349.3 reports come back within 24 hours. Share the property address and your settlement date and we’ll confirm a time and send a written quote before we start.
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