Jets Pest Control · Straight Answers
Second opinions on termite treatment: when, why, and how
Termite treatment is one of the bigger unplanned expenses a homeowner faces. Getting a second quote is not rude, paranoid, or unusual — it's sensible. Here's what a useful second opinion actually looks like.
Get a second opinion · 1300 566 569Yes — it's your right
Can you get a second opinion on termite treatment?
You can, and for a job of this cost, you should seriously consider it. There is no professional or contractual obligation to accept the first quote you receive. Any licensed pest controller should expect that homeowners facing a $4,000 to $6,000 treatment recommendation will seek a second view before committing.
A reputable company will not pressure you to sign on the spot. If one does, that pressure is itself useful information.
Second opinions serve two purposes. First, they confirm or challenge the original recommendation — whether treatment is actually needed, what type is appropriate for your property, and whether the specification and scope are reasonable. Second, they give you a price comparison for work that is otherwise difficult to evaluate from the outside.
When does a second opinion make the most sense?
Not every situation calls for one. A visual inspection that finds no activity and recommends a standard annual check in 12 months doesn't need a second look. But these situations do:
The treatment quote is over $3,000
Chemical barriers, baiting systems and eradication treatments combined can reach $8,000 or more. At that level, the hour or two spent getting a second quote almost always pays for itself.
Active termites were found and treatment is recommended immediately
Urgency is real — an active colony should be treated promptly. But "immediately" should mean within days, not within the hour. You have time to make one call.
The quote is unusually low
A barrier quote significantly below market can indicate a smaller product volume, a shorter trench, unlicensed work, or a product that doesn't meet the AS 3660.1 specification for your soil type. Cheap is not always wrong, but it warrants a question.
The two quotes recommend different treatment types
If one inspector recommends a chemical barrier and another recommends a baiting system, a third opinion is reasonable. The right answer depends on your property layout, soil type, termite species and risk profile — and qualified inspectors can legitimately reach different conclusions.
You were given a verbal recommendation with no written report
An AS 3660.2 inspection must produce a written report documenting findings, evidence of activity, and the basis for any treatment recommendation. If you received only a verbal opinion and a quote, a second inspection is not optional — it's necessary.
What should a useful second opinion actually include?
A second opinion is only worth getting if the second inspector does their own independent inspection — not just a quote based on the first company's report. A walk-through, a look under the house, and five minutes with a moisture meter isn't an inspection. Here's what a thorough one covers:
- A full AS 3660.2 inspection of the building interior, exterior perimeter, roof void, subfloor and surrounding grounds.
- A written report documenting all findings — active termites, damage, evidence of previous activity, and conducive conditions.
- A treatment recommendation that specifies the product, application method, volume and treatment zone — not just a dollar figure.
- Confirmation that the recommended system meets AS 3660.1 requirements for the site and soil conditions.
- A clear statement of what warranty applies and under what conditions.
You don't need to hide that you've had a first inspection. Tell them you've received a recommendation for a treatment and you'd like an independent assessment of the property. A good inspector will do their own inspection regardless — they're not quoting against the first company's report, they're assessing your property.
How do you compare termite treatment quotes fairly?
Two quotes for "termite barrier" can differ by thousands of dollars while referring to completely different work. Before comparing prices, confirm the scope is comparable.
Verify both inspectors hold a current QBCC licence
All termite treatment work in Queensland must be performed by a QBCC-licensed pest management technician. Check the licence number on the QBCC public register before signing anything.
Compare the product and volume, not just the price
A Termidor HE barrier applied at the label rate around a 350 square metre house requires a specified volume of chemical per linear metre of treated zone. If one quote covers the full perimeter and one covers three sides, they're not the same job. Ask each company to specify the linear metres being treated.
Check whether eradication and barrier are quoted separately
If there's an active colony, eradication (dusting or foam treatment) is typically completed before the barrier is installed. Some quotes bundle these; others separate them. Make sure you're comparing like for like.
Ask about the warranty — and read the conditions
A BASF Termidor Assurance Warranty covers up to $2 Million in damage, but it requires annual inspections to stay current and can only be issued by a BASF-certified applicator. Ask whether the warranty on offer is the manufacturer's warranty or the pest controller's own guarantee, and exactly what conditions apply.
Confirm whether the treatment meets AS 3660.1
Australian Standard AS 3660.1 specifies the minimum requirements for termite management systems in new and existing buildings. Ask both companies whether their proposed treatment meets this standard for your property type and soil conditions.
What are the red flags in a termite treatment quote?
Most pest controllers are licensed and operating properly. But the signs below are worth pausing on:
- Pressure to sign the same day — a short-term discount that expires if you don't commit immediately is a sales tactic, not a reflection of urgency.
- No written inspection report — a treatment recommendation without a written AS 3660.2 report to back it is not a professional recommendation.
- A vague scope — quotes that say "termite treatment" without specifying product, concentration, linear metres treated, application method or warranty terms are impossible to evaluate or compare.
- No QBCC licence number on the quote — Queensland law requires pest controllers to include their licence number on all documentation provided to clients.
- A quote significantly below other licensed operators — if the gap is more than 20 to 30 per cent, find out exactly what is excluded before proceeding.
- Recommending the same treatment for every property — the right treatment depends on your site. An inspector who recommends baiting for every job, or chemical barriers for every job, without considering the property layout, species identified and risk profile, should be questioned.
A significant price gap — say, $3,800 versus $5,800 for what sounds like the same job — usually means the scope is different, the product is different, or the volume being applied is different. Ask both companies to itemise the treatment. If you still can't reconcile the gap after reviewing the details, a third inspection from a different company is a reasonable step.
What does a termite treatment cost in Brisbane and Ipswich?
Prices vary by property size, soil conditions, the extent of any active infestation, and the treatment system selected. These ranges reflect current Jets Pest Control pricing and are consistent with the Queensland market for comparable licensed work.
For a full breakdown of costs by treatment type — including eradication, baiting systems and pre-purchase inspections — see our termite treatment cost guide. And for context on why regular inspections are part of the long-term picture, see do I need annual termite inspections?
We're happy to provide an independent AS 3660.2 inspection and treatment recommendation for any property in Ipswich or Brisbane, regardless of who carried out the first inspection. We'll tell you what we find, explain what we recommend and why, and give you a written quote with full product and scope details. Call 1300 566 569 or book online.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude or unusual to get a second opinion on termite treatment?
Not at all. Termite treatment is a significant expense and a complex technical job. Any licensed pest controller operating professionally should expect that homeowners will seek multiple quotes for work in this price range — just as you would for a roof repair or electrical work. If a company makes you feel uncomfortable for asking, that tells you something useful.
Do I have to pay for a second inspection?
Yes, in most cases. A proper second opinion requires a full AS 3660.2 inspection, which takes time and equipment. Some companies offer free quotes, but a free quote is not the same as an independent inspection — it's a visit to assess the scope for pricing purposes. If you want a second opinion you can actually trust, pay for a second inspection. At $185 to $285, it's a small fraction of the treatment cost.
The first company said I need treatment urgently. Should I wait for a second opinion?
Urgency is sometimes real — an active colony should be treated promptly to limit damage. But a genuine emergency means within a few days, not within the hour. You have time to make one call to a second licensed inspector before committing. If the first company won't give you 24 to 48 hours to seek a second opinion, that's a red flag about their sales approach.
What if the two inspectors recommend completely different treatments?
Different recommendations are more common than most people expect. Chemical barriers and baiting systems are both legitimate approaches to termite management, and qualified inspectors can reasonably reach different conclusions based on property layout, soil conditions and the species identified. If the two recommendations are fundamentally different, ask each inspector to explain the specific reasons for their choice based on what they found at your property. A third inspection may also be warranted.
How do I check if a pest controller is QBCC licensed?
Use the QBCC licence search on the QBCC website. Enter the company name or licence number. The search is free and takes under two minutes. Any company performing termite inspections or treatments in Queensland must hold a current licence — check before you book, not after.
Can I get a second opinion from the same company that did the first inspection?
No — that's not a second opinion, that's a confirmation. The value of a second opinion comes from an independent assessment by a different company that has no financial stake in the outcome of the first inspection. Use a different licensed pest controller.
Independent. Licensed. Written report.
Get a second opinion you can trust.
Full AS 3660.2 inspection, written findings, clear treatment recommendation and a detailed quote. All Ipswich and Brisbane suburbs. Fixed prices, no pressure.
