GrandpaGrumble Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I'm sure this isn't the first time this has been asked, but I couldn't find any recent threads about it. We've just had the building & pest inspection back on a house that we're hoping to buy, and it's shown up "moderate to extensive" termite damage in the roof (and garden fence etc.), plus evidence of termite workings at the foundation wall (sub-floor). No evidence found of live termites, and damage not structural at first blush - though the basic inspection doesn't include the invasive tests that would be necessary to tell for sure. There's evidence that it's been treated in the past, but no information, one way or the other, about treatments from the current owners, who've been there for over 10 years. This raises various questions. Do we go ahead with the purchase or not? Presumably we'd be wanting the more detailed inspection first? If it turns out that the damage isn't structural, how feasible would it be to deal with the problem in the future? E.g. how much do treatments cost, do they work, how often do you need them? Can we get the existing timbers treated to prevent further attacks? As always, any advice would be very welcome. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 .........termites are the bane of householders! .........the link below will give you some idea of costs https://www.pest-ex.com.au/blog/how-much-termite-treatment-cost/ ........how far from the house is the fence? .......not usually a worry if far enough away .......but having both the roof and floor having evidence could be costly .... .......do the roof timbers need to be replaced .... ..........might be worth getting a builders quote for repairs ...........good luck 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaGrumble Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share Posted September 10, 2017 Thanks Tink, the info + link were v useful. So we'd be looking at an average ongoing cost of around $250-$700 a year, depending on size of house and how often it'd need doing, for a barrier treatment with Termidor. Guess the next step is to get the current damage assessed properly ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 .........do get the damage assessment .... ........and don't forget decorating,plaster paint if needed on top! .........also depending on foundation treatment will you have to factor in flooring? ........it's the little things that mount up and therefore escalate the cost 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I must admit if the termite damage is to the house i think id be avoiding it. I know its common to have termite activity in garden tree's ,fence lines etc picked up on reports and we were told best to have them away from the house than in it. Cal x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 ..........a few more points to consider.... If the property has active termites ensure that the costs of treatments and repairs will be paid by the seller before the purchase goes through Make sure they use a reputable termite treatment company that carries out a complete treatment and provides a guarantee, which will pass on to you (as the new owner). Sellers will often employ the cheapest pest controller to do the cheapest job – “just squirt a bit of chemical to kill the termites you can see”. Without a comprehensive treatment, the termites will come back! If a previous treatment has been carried out, understand whether it is still under guarantee and whether such an agreement can be transferred to you If the home is a new build, establish that timbers have been pre-treated or what type of termite protection has been included in the construction and that there are termite warranties on the property The bottom line is that buying a home with a history of termites does not have to lead to future problems, with the risk of seeing your investment being eaten away (literally). Knowledge is power and a comprehensive pest inspection is key. Termites can be controlled and eradicated, and a termite history could prove a strong lever in your favour when it comes to negotiating your purchase price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 The suburb I lived in in Sydney every house had evidence of termites according to the pest guys I used, it was an old suburb few houses were new build. My 100 year old house did and since we did nothing about it it still had evidence of termite activity when we sold it 15 years later. What matters is whether they are active , a no no don't buy, and the extent of the damage. Treatment for active termite depends on the size of the house but could be upwards of 5K. The company who did the inspection can give you a quote for prevention. Depends on where you are as to whether you can negotiate a price reduction, assuming it's not for sale by auction. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaGrumble Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share Posted September 10, 2017 Thanks everybody for sharing your experiences, knowledge and opinions. So far we've just had a general building + pest inspection. They weren't termite specialists but did seem pretty thorough. They had a termite detecting radar device that didn't find anything, so touch wood (as it were) they aren't active. Though I guess we won't know for sure till we have had a specialist inspection. In general, do people in prone areas tend to have their houses termite treated as a precaution, or only if they've already been attacked? Did you bother to get your house in Sydney treated, for instance, ScottieGirl? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 No I didn't. The damage had already been done and the termites were gone. I did have regular pest inspections, I was never advised to do anything other than subfloor ventilation which I installed. Termites like damp apparently. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaGrumble Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share Posted September 10, 2017 Thanks - that's food for thought. Being very risk averse I'd probably want to have the treatment anyway. Though I guess you still need to have regular inspections even if you have had the treatment. As Tink says, all relatively small things that add up to a lot, ongoing costs in this case. Yes, improving the subfloor ventilation was another thing that the inspection recommended. Looks like that's a bit more than just putting in a few airbricks like in the UK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 ........I think you need to find out what has been done .......and what needs to be done ........just getting these estimates can be expensive ........is the house priced to reflect this? ........often until invasive investigation is done ........the extent of the damage can't be seen ........it's a gamble at best ........termites can be eradicated .... ........damage repaired ....,,,,and regular checks can prevent reinfestation ..........it's about the extra cost to you after you have purchased the house ..........is it worth the price .........good luck with your choice and outcome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaGrumble Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 Cheers again for the advice and moral support. I think a lot will depend now on how the agent/vendor respond. The house is currently priced on the basis of being in immaculate condition, so I guess there will have to be some movement there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Bear in mind too that often insurers don't cover the cost of termite damage; if you (for instance) lost your roof in a storm and the assessor picks up evidence of termites they may not pay out. When we sold my grandparent's house after they died as a part of the sale contract we had to replace the termite-affected timbers. You are in a position of negotiation but it depends on how receptive the vendors are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 If you are living in an area prone to termites you will need annual inspections whichever house you buy, like wise the subfloor ventilation is a good idea. This is easy to check at house inspections, look for the fan. They cost about 3k to install but again dependent on house size. I saw the building report for the house I sold and thought bloody hell I wouldn't buy that yet the surveyor said the state was typical for a house of it's age. Termite damage is common the key question is whether it is structural. The term extensive damage is a concern and needs to be checked. Get a more thorough survey then decide. Fixing the damage will be a bigger cost than preventing reinfestations. If you decide to go ahead don't bother trying to get the seller to do anything as Tink said they will use the cheapest option, whereas if you do it you can do it properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaGrumble Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 Well, after further inspections etc. we went ahead and bought the house. We are getting the annual checks done, and all OK so far, but are wondering if it's worth getting a barrier treatment done? Would that have any impact (positive or negative) if we ever wanted to sell the house - could it make it easier, or harder, to sell, or make no difference? Any opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted November 6, 2019 Share Posted November 6, 2019 11 hours ago, GrandpaGrumble said: Well, after further inspections etc. we went ahead and bought the house. We are getting the annual checks done, and all OK so far, but are wondering if it's worth getting a barrier treatment done? Would that have any impact (positive or negative) if we ever wanted to sell the house - could it make it easier, or harder, to sell, or make no difference? Any opinions? I recently pulled out of purchasing a house because the building inspection said it was inadequately protected. If your supplier is recommending a barrier treatment then a building inspector would probably say the same, so if you’re thinking of selling, I’d get it done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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