When buying a property, hidden timber pest activity can turn a great purchase into a costly mistake. Termites, borers, and fungal decay often go undetected during open inspections, yet they can cause serious structural damage and lead to repair costs running into tens of thousands of dollars. A pre-purchase timber pest inspection helps uncover these risks before you commit, giving you clarity and confidence during the buying process.
At Elevate Building Inspections, we specialise in pre-purchase timber pest inspections in Melbourne, helping buyers identify termite activity and other timber-destroying pests prior to exchange or settlement. Early detection allows you to renegotiate, request treatment, or walk away—protecting your investment before it’s too late.
We provide comprehensive pre-purchase pest inspections across Melbourne and the north-eastern suburbs, including Doncaster, Templestowe, Doreen, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Greensborough, Bundoora, Macleod, Montmorency, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Epping, Ivanhoe, Reservoir, Croydon, and surrounding areas. Our licensed timber pest inspectors deliver clear, independent reports so you can make informed decisions with confidence before you buy.
A timber pest inspection is a professional assessment designed to detect timber-destroying pests within a property. These pests commonly include termites (white ants), wood borers, and wood decay fungi, all of which can cause significant structural damage if left untreated.
Timber pest inspections are essential for homeowners, property managers, landlords, and anyone maintaining an existing property, as early detection allows for timely treatment and helps prevent costly repairs and long-term damage.
During the inspection, our qualified and experienced pest technicians thoroughly examine all safely accessible areas of the property. This includes internal timbers, roof voids, subfloors (where accessible), external structures, fencing, outbuildings, and garden timbers. We assess for active infestations, evidence of previous pest activity, and conditions that may increase future risk, providing you with a clear understanding of your property’s condition.
A detailed report is then issued, outlining our findings and any recommended actions to help protect your property.
A pre-purchase pest inspection is a specialised timber pest assessment carried out before buying a property. It is designed to identify active or previous timber pest activity, such as termites, borers, or fungal decay, as well as conditions that may increase the risk of future infestations. This gives buyers a clear understanding of potential pest-related risks before committing to a purchase.
As part of the due diligence process when buying property in Melbourne, a pre-purchase pest inspection is essential. Hidden timber pest damage can significantly affect a property’s value and lead to costly repairs if left undiscovered, making early detection critical for informed decision-making.
During a timber pest inspection, our licensed technicians carefully inspect all accessible areas of the property, including:
Roof voids and ceiling cavities – checking for termite activity, damage, and moisture problems
Subfloors and under-house areas – identifying termite galleries and signs of decay
Internal timber structures – doors, window frames, skirting boards, and other woodwork
External timber elements – decks, fences, pergolas, garden sheds, and other timber structures
Landscaping timbers – including retaining walls, sleepers, and timber features in gardens
Conditions conducive to pests – areas of moisture, timber-soil contact, and poor ventilation that could lead to future infestations
All inspections follow Australian Standard AS 4349.3‑2010 (Timber Pest Inspections), ensuring a thorough and professional assessment. After the inspection, you receive a detailed timber pest inspection report with:
Clear findings and photos of affected areas
Assessment of active infestations and past damage
Our pre-purchase pest inspections are thorough and professional. They include:
Detection of live pests – identifying termites, wood borers, and wood decay fungi
Assessment of timber condition – checking roof timbers, floor timbers, door frames, and skirting boards for damage
Examination of external timber structures – decks, pergolas, fences, and sheds
Evaluation of past damage – detecting signs of previous infestations and repairs
Identification of risk factors – moisture issues, poor ventilation, and timber-soil contact that may encourage future infestations
The inspection is non-invasive, meaning no furniture is moved, and walls or floors are not disturbed. After the inspection, you receive a comprehensive pre-purchase pest inspection report, including:
Detailed findings with photographs
Risk assessment of the property
Recommendations for treatment, monitoring, or further investigation
We follow a structured and methodical timber pest inspection process to identify, assess, and document the presence of termites, borers, fungal decay, and conditions that may lead to future infestations. This ensures buyers have a clear understanding of pest-related risks before purchasing a property.
Not all pest inspectors are the same. When it comes to protecting one of your most important investments, you need a team you can trust.
Here’s why homeowners, buyers, and investors across Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs choose us:
We don’t just detect pests – we help you understand risks and the steps needed to keep your property safe.
We use a non-destructive moisture meter to detect elevated moisture levels within walls, floors, ceilings and other building materials without causing damage. This professional-grade tool measures moisture at both surface and deeper levels, allowing us to identify hidden dampness, water ingress and moisture-related defects that may not be visible during a visual inspection. It is particularly effective for locating rising damp, roof leaks, subfloor moisture and areas at risk of timber decay — common issues in many Melbourne properties built on reactive clay soils.
Our inspections also utilise a thermal imaging camera to identify temperature variations that can indicate underlying building issues. Thermal imaging allows us to detect problems such as moisture intrusion, insulation gaps, overheating electrical components and areas of heat loss — all without invasive testing. By highlighting hot and cold spots within building elements, thermal imaging helps pinpoint concealed defects quickly and accurately, providing valuable insight into issues that may otherwise go unnoticed during a standard visual inspection.
A timber pest inspection assesses a property for termites, wood borers, fungal decay, and other timber-destroying pests. It also identifies conditions that may increase the risk of future infestations.
Timber pests can cause serious structural damage that is often hidden from view. A pre-purchase timber pest inspection helps uncover these risks before you buy, avoiding costly repairs and supporting informed decision-making.
Inspections focus on termites, borers, fungal decay, and other timber-destroying pests that can affect structural and non-structural timbers.
No. A timber pest inspection specifically targets pest activity and risk conditions, while a building inspection focuses on structural condition and workmanship. Many buyers choose a combined Building & Pest Inspection.
All safely accessible areas are inspected, including internal rooms, roof spaces, subfloors, external walls, fences, decks, and outbuildings. Any inaccessible areas are clearly noted in the report.
Most timber pest inspections take between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size and layout of the property.
Your report is typically delivered within 24 hours of the inspection.
No inspection can guarantee a property is completely pest-free. The inspection reports on visible and accessible evidence of pest activity at the time of inspection.
Yes. Identifying pest activity or high-risk conditions can provide leverage to negotiate repairs, treatment, or the purchase price before settlement.
Timber pests can cause serious structural damage if left undetected. A professional timber pest inspection identifies termites and other timber-destroying pests before they compromise your property.
