Jets Pest Control · Homeowner's Toolkit
Ask these 10 questions.
A good termite inspector will answer every one of these happily. An upseller will squirm at half of them. Either way, ten minutes of questions protects thousands of dollars of decisions.
Quiz us first · 1300 566 569Why this matters
The inspection is where the money decisions start
Whatever an inspector finds — or claims to find — becomes the basis for a treatment quote that can run from $260 to several thousand dollars. Reddit and review pages are full of homeowners who suspect they were sold a treatment they didn't need, or a barrier before anyone confirmed what species they had. The fix isn't cynicism; it's better questions. Here are the ten we'd ask of any inspector, including ourselves.
Before you book
'What licence do you hold, and what's the number?'
In Queensland, termite work requires the appropriate QBCC licence, and inspectors must be licensed timber pest technicians. Any professional will give you a number you can check on the QBCC's public register in two minutes. Hesitation here ends the conversation.
'Which Standard will the report follow?'
A routine annual check follows AS 3660.2; a pre-purchase timber pest report follows AS 4349.3 and also covers borers and fungal decay. They're different documents at different prices — make sure you're being quoted the one you actually need.
'What's the fixed price, and what does it include?'
Inspection pricing should be simple and quotable up front — ours runs $185–$385 by property size, published online. Vague answers about 'depends what we find' on the inspection price (not treatment) are a poor sign.
During the inspection
'What equipment do you use beyond a torch and a tapper?'
Thermal imaging, termite radar and moisture meters find activity behind surfaces that visual checks miss. You're not demanding gadgets for their own sake — you're checking the inspection can see past the paint.
'Which areas can't you access, and what does that mean?'
Honest inspectors document inaccessible areas (tight roof voids, blocked subfloors, concealed slab edges) and explain the risk they represent. If everything was magically accessible in 40 minutes, be sceptical.
'How long will this take, and when do I get the report?'
A proper house inspection takes well over an hour on site, plus report writing afterwards. Ours are written up offsite and emailed overnight — a 'verbal report' with a quote on the spot is a sales technique, not a document.
If they find something
'What species is it — and can you show me?'
Species determines treatment. Coptotermes acinaciformis justifies urgency; Microcerotermes turneri often doesn't. An inspector recommending a $2,000 program without naming the species is guessing with your money. Ask to see photos of the evidence.
'Why this treatment, and what are the alternatives?'
There's almost always more than one option — spot treatment, foaming, baiting, barrier — with different costs and trade-offs. A professional explains why they've recommended one over the others, including the follow-up visits and their cost.
'What exactly does the warranty cover — in writing?'
Honest answer: eradication treatments carry no ongoing-protection warranty, because they kill an existing infestation rather than prevent the next one. Long-term warranties belong to barrier systems. Anyone 'warranting' a spot treatment against future termites is overpromising.
'Can I get a second opinion before deciding?'
The correct answer is 'of course'. Termites move slowly enough that a day or two for a second inspection changes nothing — except your confidence in the diagnosis. We're happy to be the first opinion or the second.
Walk away if you see these
Pressure to sign a treatment contract on the spot with a 'today-only discount'. A diagnosis with no species named and no photos. A quote that's vague on chemical quantities, follow-up costs or GST. No licence number offered. A 'warranty' on an eradication treatment. Or a barrier recommendation before any inspection has happened at all. Each of these is common — and each one is your cue to get a second opinion.
Ask us every question on this page. Our licence details, prices and treatment methods are published, and our inspectors would rather explain a finding twice than have you sign something you don't understand.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get multiple quotes for termite treatment?
For anything beyond a simple spot treatment — yes, it's reasonable. Compare quotes on species identified, method, chemical quantities, follow-up costs and warranty terms, not just the headline price.
How do I verify a Queensland termite inspector's licence?
Ask for their licence number and check it on the QBCC's free online register. Licensed technicians expect the question.
The inspector found nothing, but I'm sure I saw termites. Now what?
Tell them exactly where and what you saw — ideally with photos. No visual inspection can guarantee a property is termite-free, so persistent evidence justifies a follow-up with radar and thermal imaging on the specific area, or a second opinion.
What's a fair price for a termite inspection?
In the Brisbane and Ipswich area, expect $185–$385 including GST depending on property size, with a written report. Dramatically cheaper usually means a quick look and a sales pitch.
Put us to the test
Bring the hard questions.
Serving Ipswich and South East Queensland — fixed prices, no hidden extras, 10% off for Seniors, Pensioners, and ADF members.
