Pest and Termite Inspection Sydney: Cost, What's Checked, and When to Book

A pest and termite inspection in Sydney is a visual assessment of a property for timber pests, mainly termites, borers, and wood decay fungi, along with the damp and timber conditions that attract them. It follows Australian Standard AS 4349.3, and a standard house inspection takes about 1 to 2 hours and costs roughly $250 to $400 on its own.

Most Sydney buyers book it together with a building inspection as a combined building and pest inspection, because termites rarely show themselves until the damage is done. This guide explains what the inspection checks, what it costs in 2026, how long it takes, and how to read the report so you can buy with confidence.

What does a pest and termite inspection cover?

A pest and termite inspection covers all reasonably accessible timber and timber structures on the property, looking for live termite activity, past termite damage, borers, wood decay fungi (rot), and the conditions that make an attack more likely. The inspector reports what was found, where, how serious it is, and what to do next.

It is a visual inspection carried out to AS 4349.3, the timber pest standard. The inspector does not cut into walls or lift fixed floor coverings, so anything hidden behind linings or blocked from access is recorded as a limitation in the report.

Areas the inspector checks

• Interior: skirtings, door frames, architraves, wet areas, and window reveals for live termites, mud leads, and moisture.

• Roof void: rafters, ceiling joists, and hanging beams for termite workings and borer damage where the space is accessible.

• Subfloor: bearers, joists, stumps, and the soil area for mud tubes, workings, and damp.

• Exterior: weep holes, cladding, window frames, pergolas, decks, and fences for entry points and activity.

• Grounds and site: trees, stumps, garden beds, retaining walls, and stored timber near the house that can harbour a nest.

The conditions inspectors flag

Half of a good pest report is about risk, not just live termites. Inspectors note conducive conditions: high moisture, poor subfloor ventilation, leaking taps or hot water overflows, garden beds built up against walls, and timber in contact with soil. Fixing these is how you stop the next attack.

How much does a pest and termite inspection cost in Sydney?

A standalone timber pest inspection in Sydney generally costs between $250 and $400 for a standard house. A combined building and pest inspection, which most buyers choose, commonly runs from $450 to $900, with inner-Sydney and older homes sitting at the higher end. Hama Con pest and termite inspections start from $259.

For example : The cost of Hamacon Building Inspections is provided below.

Booking building and pest together is almost always cheaper than paying for two separate visits, because it removes duplicated site time. The table below shows the typical Sydney ranges in 2026.

Be wary of a $150 termite inspection in a capital city. A proper inspection is 1 to 2 hours on site plus report writing, so pricing well below the range usually means a two page checklist rather than a full AS 4349.3 report. For a complete cost breakdown across property types, see our guide to building and pest inspection in Sydney.

How long does a termite inspection take?

A standalone termite inspection on a standard Sydney house takes about 1 to 2 hours on site. A combined building and pest inspection takes longer, usually 2 to 3 hours, because the inspector is also assessing structure, roof, and services. Report writing then adds several hours behind the scenes.

Size, age, and access drive the time. A compact unit can be done in under an hour, while a large home with a full subfloor, multiple roof voids, and landscaped grounds takes considerably longer. At Hama Con, the written report is delivered the same day, before midnight.

But Hama Con Building Inspections promises report in 24 HOURS!

What tools does a termite inspector use?

A visual inspection is only as good as the tools behind it. Termites hide inside timber, so inspectors rely on equipment that reads what the eye cannot, then confirm findings by physical checks.

• Moisture meter: finds damp timber and wall cavities, the strongest predictor of termite risk.

• Thermal imaging camera: detects temperature differences behind walls where an active nest may sit.

• Tapping tool and sounding: hollow-sounding timber points to internal galleries.

• Torch, ladder, and probe: the basics for inspecting roof voids, subfloors, and suspect timber.

Ask any inspector what equipment they use. A quality operator names specific tools, thermal imaging and a moisture meter, rather than vaguely referring to "the latest technology".

Signs of termites to look for yourself

You are not a substitute for a licensed inspection, but knowing the signs helps you act early between inspections. Book a professional check if you notice any of the following.

• Mud tubes running up brick piers, foundation walls, or in the subfloor.

• Timber that sounds hollow or papery when tapped.

• Discarded wings near windows, doors, or light fittings after warm, humid evenings.

• Blistering or bubbling paint, or floors that feel spongy underfoot.

• Fine, tight cracks in door frames, skirtings, or architraves.

If you see live termites, do not disturb them or spray them. Disturbing a lead can push the colony to relocate and attack elsewhere. Cover it back over and call an inspector.

Termite inspection vs building and pest inspection

A termite or timber pest inspection covers pests only. A building and pest inspection combines that pest check with a full structural assessment under AS 4349.1, covering the roof space, subfloor, interior, exterior, and site for defects. For a home purchase, the combined inspection is the standard choice.

The pest side runs under AS 4349.3 and the building side under AS 4349.1. Booking them together gives you one report, one appointment, and a lower combined price than two separate jobs.

How often should you get a termite inspection?

Get a professional termite inspection at least once a year, and every six months if your property is in a high risk area or has had termites before. Annual inspections are the single most effective way to catch an attack before it becomes structural, which is also a condition of most termite treatment warranties.

Sydney's warm, humid summers and older housing stock make it a genuinely termite-active city. A yearly inspection costs a fraction of a single repair bill, and the report gives you a documented history of the property's condition.

What the report tells you, and how to use it

Your timber pest report should record every accessible area inspected, any live activity or damage found, all conducive conditions, and the areas that could not be accessed. Read the activity and damage sections first, then the recommendations. This is the part you act on.

If the report finds active termites or significant damage, you have room to renegotiate the price, request treatment before settlement, or walk away. If it finds only conducive conditions, you have a practical to-do list to protect the home. Either way, keep the report: it is useful for insurance and for your next annual check.

Booking a pest and termite inspection in Sydney

Hama Con carries out pest and termite inspections across Sydney, using thermal imaging and moisture meters on every job, with the written report delivered the same day. Our inspectors are licensed and insured, with over 10 years of experience and more than 1,000 properties inspected.

If you are buying, we recommend the combined building and pest inspection so you have both the structural and timber pest picture in one report. You can book online or call the team seven days a week.