Subterranean termites
The main concern in Sydney. We look for live termites, mud tubes, workings and damage, and note whether activity appears current or old.
PROFESSIONAL TERMITE INSPECTION
Termite Inspection Sydney
A routine timber pest inspection for owners who want to know their home is still termite-free: interior, roof void, subfloor, exterior and grounds, with a written report you can act on.
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Moisture Meter & Sounding
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Plain-English Reports
OVERVIEW
Termite Inspection for Homes You Already Own
Termites rarely announce themselves. They eat timber from the inside, leave the painted surface intact and keep their tunnels hidden behind wall linings, under floors and along the slab edge. By the time a skirting board crumbles or a door starts sticking, damage is often well advanced. A routine inspection is how you catch activity while it is still a small job.
Australian Standard AS 3660.2 generally recommends inspecting buildings at least every 12 months, and more often where the termite hazard is high. Our inspection follows that guidance: a licensed technician works through every accessible part of the home and grounds, tests suspect timber, checks moisture and records the conditions that make an attack more likely.
This page is for owners and landlords keeping an existing home protected. Buying a property? You need a pre-purchase inspection timed around exchange. Already found live termites? Go straight to termite treatment.
- Interior, roof void, subfloor, exterior and grounds
- Moisture meter and sounding of suspect timber
- Written report with findings and recommendations
- Fixed price from $159, confirmed when you book
WHAT WE INSPECT
Where We Look and What We Look For
Every accessible area of the home and site is checked. Anything we can't safely reach is listed in your report.
| Area | What we check | Common Sydney findings |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Skirting boards, door and window frames, architraves, built-in cupboards and wet-area walls | Hollow or soft timber, bubbling paint, sticking doors, mud in cracks |
| Roof void | Roof timbers, top plates, ceiling joists, and around plumbing and flues | Mud packing on timbers, damp from roof leaks, signs of rodents or possums |
| Subfloor | Bearers, joists, piers, ant caps, soil moisture and ventilation | Mud tubes on piers, poor airflow, timber debris left lying on soil |
| Exterior walls | Slab edge, weep holes, cladding, window sills and service penetrations | Garden beds covering the slab edge, paving bridging weep holes |
| Grounds | Fences, sleepers, retaining walls, pergolas, decks, trees and stumps | Nests in old stumps and trees, rotting sleepers, posts set in soil |
| Services & moisture | Taps, downpipes, hot water units and air conditioner drains | Leaks and overflow pipes keeping soil damp against footings |
TIMBER PESTS
What a Timber Pest Report Covers
Wood borers
Some beetles lay eggs in seasoned timber and their larvae tunnel through it. Exit holes and powdery frass in floorboards or roof timbers are recorded.
Wood decay fungi (rot)
Timber that stays wet decays. Rot in decks, window sills, subfloors and wet areas is reported, because it weakens timber and attracts termites.
Conducive conditions
The things that make an attack more likely, such as moisture, poor ventilation, timber touching soil or a hidden slab edge, each with a practical fix.
- What we found and where
- Why it matters
- What to do about it
DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE
Last inspection over a year ago? Book your next one.
Talk to a licensed Sydney technician today — honest advice and a fixed quote within 30 minutes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why Inspect Every 12 Months
01
Damage Grows Quietly
Termites work behind linings and inside timber, so a home can look perfect while a colony feeds inside the frame.
02
Barriers Get Bridged
A new garden bed, paving or a deck built over the slab edge can give termites a concealed route around an existing barrier.
03
Insurance Rarely Helps
Termite damage is generally excluded from home insurance, so finding it early is the cheapest protection you have.
04
A Record Over Time
Year-on-year reports show a buyer, insurer or strata committee that the home has been looked after.
OUR PROCESS
What Happens on Inspection Day
Timing depends on the size of the home and how easy the roof void and subfloor are to reach.
01
Book a Time
Choose a time that suits and let us know about pets, locked gates and where the roof and subfloor access points are.
02
Walk Through the Interior
Every accessible room is checked, with suspect timber sounded and tested with a moisture meter.
03
Roof Void & Subfloor
Where access is safe, the technician enters the roof space and subfloor, where most concealed activity is found.
04
Exterior & Grounds
Walls, slab edges, weep holes, fences, trees, stumps and garden timbers are inspected.
05
Talk Through Findings
Before leaving, the technician explains what was found and anything that needs attention now.
06
Written Report
You receive a report of findings, areas not inspected, conducive conditions and recommendations.
SYDNEY SEASONS
Termite Activity Through the Year
Termites are active all year in Sydney. What changes is what you are most likely to notice.
| Season | What's happening | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Sep–Nov) | Activity rises as the soil warms; mature colonies may produce winged termites | Swarms on warm, humid evenings; discarded wings on window sills |
| Summer (Dec–Feb) | Heat, humidity and storms suit subterranean termites | New mud tubes after rain, soft timber near leaks, sticking doors |
| Autumn (Mar–May) | Colonies keep feeding while the weather stays mild | Mud in cracks around door frames and skirting, damp subfloors |
| Winter (Jun–Aug) | Feeding slows in cooler soil but doesn't stop, especially under heated homes | A sensible time to inspect, before spring activity picks up |
Read how often you should get a termite inspection in Sydney for more on timing.
WHICH SERVICE?
Inspection, Pre-Purchase or Treatment?
Four termite services that are easy to confuse.
| Service | Who it's for | What you get | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termite inspection (this page) | Owners and landlords checking an existing home, usually every 12 months | An AS 3660.2 timber pest inspection and written report | $159 |
| Pre-purchase inspection | Buyers, before exchange, auction or the end of the cooling-off period | An AS 4349.3 timber pest report to inform the purchase | $199 |
| Thermal imaging | Anyone wanting a closer look at suspect walls and ceilings | Thermal scanning of suspect areas, alongside visual checks | $249 |
| Termite treatment | Properties with live termites or recent activity | Colony elimination and protection of the building | $179 |
BEFORE WE ARRIVE
Getting Your Home Ready for Inspection
Access decides how much we can see. Anything blocked is recorded as not inspected.
- Clear the area under the manhole so we can get into the roof void
- Unlock the subfloor access door or hatch
- Move stored boxes away from garage walls
- Clear items from under sinks and inside built-in wardrobes
- Pull mulch or plants back from any section of slab edge you can
- Unlock side gates, sheds and garages
- Secure dogs and let us know about any other pets
- Tell us about past treatments or barriers and where the durable notice is
- Point out any spots where you have seen mud, damp or damaged timber
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
What Inspections Turn Up in Sydney Homes
Every part of Sydney has its own pattern. Brick homes on slabs often end up with garden beds and paving built over the slab edge, hiding the inspection zone. Weatherboard cottages in the Inner West sit on low subfloors with little airflow. Homes backing onto bushland on the North Shore, in the Hills and around the Northern Beaches are closer to the trees and stumps that subterranean termites nest in. Strata buildings add retaining walls and planter boxes against the structure.
The report is written so you know what to fix yourself, what to keep an eye on and what needs a professional. If a finding needs more investigation, we explain the options. Want to know exactly what gets checked? See what a timber pest inspection checks.
Reviewed by Ismail, Founder · NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 · Updated September 2026
WHY CHOOSE US
The Elite Pest Difference
Every Accessible Area
Roof void, subfloor, interior, exterior and grounds, not a quick walk around the outside.
Reports You Can Use
Findings, photos, areas not inspected and practical fixes, written in plain English.
Licensed Technicians
NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 and full insurance.
Honest Recommendations
If nothing needs treating, we say so. No pressure to buy a treatment you don't need.
SERVICE AREAS
Termite Inspection Across Sydney
Local technicians servicing 380+ suburbs — fast.
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FAQ
Termite Inspection Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know before you book. Still unsure? Call us — we're happy to help.
Get a Free QuoteHow much does a termite inspection cost in Sydney?
Termite inspections start from $159. The fixed price depends on the size of the home, the number of levels, outbuildings such as granny flats or large sheds, and how much roof void and subfloor there is to get through. We confirm the price when you book, so there are no surprises on the day.
How often should I get a termite inspection?
AS 3660.2 generally recommends inspections at least every 12 months. More frequent inspections, such as every six months, may be recommended where the risk is higher, for example homes next to bushland, properties with a history of termites or sites with ongoing moisture problems. Your report will suggest an interval for your property.
How long does a termite inspection take?
It depends on the size of the house and how easy the roof void and subfloor are to reach. A small single-level home takes less time than a large two-storey house with a pool, decking and outbuildings. The technician also takes a few minutes at the end to talk you through what they found.
Do I need to be home for the inspection?
It helps if you are, so the technician can ask about past treatments and show you any findings. If you can't be there, arrange access to the house, roof void, subfloor, garage and side gates, and we will call you afterwards to go through the results.
What if the inspector can't get into the roof or subfloor?
Areas that can't be safely accessed are recorded in the report as not inspected, with the reason, such as low clearance, stored goods or no manhole. That matters, because termites can be active where nobody could look. The report may recommend creating access or arranging a further inspection.
Will the inspection find termites inside walls?
A visual inspection looks for signs on accessible surfaces, such as mud, damage, hollow-sounding timber and high moisture readings. It can't see directly inside a wall cavity. If an area looks suspicious, thermal imaging can help assess it without opening the wall, and it is available as an add-on.
Is this the same as a pre-purchase inspection?
No. A routine termite inspection is for owners and follows AS 3660.2 guidance for existing buildings. A pre-purchase inspection is carried out for a buyer under AS 4349.3 and is timed around exchange of contracts or an auction. If you are buying, book a pre-purchase inspection instead.
What happens if you find termites?
We show you where the activity is and explain the options before leaving. Don't disturb the workings. If treatment is needed, you will get a fixed written quote for an approach such as baiting or a chemical soil barrier. There is no obligation to go ahead with us.
Should landlords get termite inspections for rentals?
It's sensible. Termite damage is generally not covered by insurance, and tenants may not notice early signs or know what they mean. An annual inspection gives you a dated record of the property's condition. We can arrange access through your property manager.
What should I do between inspections?
Keep the slab edge and weep holes visible, fix leaks near the house quickly, keep timber and mulch away from the walls and make sure the subfloor stays dry and ventilated. If you notice mud tubes, soft timber or winged termites indoors, call us rather than waiting for the next scheduled inspection.
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