Timber pest inspection report template (free download)
A timber pest inspection report has two audiences: the client who wants to know whether there are termites, and anyone who later asks what the inspector could and could not see. The second is why the scope and limitations section matters as much as the findings.
This template follows the structure of a visual timber pest inspection under AS 4349.3: the areas inspected and not inspected, then findings for subterranean termites, borers and wood decay fungi, then the conditions that make an attack more likely, and recommendations.
Free, no sign-up needed. Edit it in Word, Pages or Google Docs, or print it.
Preview the template
Timber pest inspection report
Termites, borers, wood decay and conditions conducive to timber pests, with the areas not inspected recorded as carefully as the findings.
1. Client and property
2. Scope, access and limitations
| Area | Inspected? | Reason not inspected / restriction |
|---|---|---|
3. Termite findings
4. Borers and wood decay
5. Conditions conducive to timber pests
- Excessive moisture or leaking plumbing Yes No N/A
- Poor subfloor ventilation Yes No N/A
- Timber in contact with soil Yes No N/A
- Garden beds or paths bridging slab edges or weep holes Yes No N/A
- Stored timber or debris against the building Yes No N/A
- Inadequate drainage around the building Yes No N/A
6. Recommendations
What the timber pest inspection report covers, section by section
1. Client and property
Who commissioned the inspection, for what purpose, and the property and weather on the day.
Fields to capture: Client name; Property address; Date and time of inspection; Weather conditions; Building type and construction; Occupied / furnished?.
2. Scope, access and limitations
Every area inspected and every area that was not, with the reason: no access, obstructed by stored goods, unsafe roof space, fixed floor coverings. Areas that could not be seen are where a later dispute starts.
Fields to capture: a register with columns: Area, Inspected?, Reason not inspected / restriction.
3. Termite findings
Live termites, evidence of past activity or damage, and any existing termite management system.
Fields to capture: Live termites found?; Evidence of termite workings or damage?; Location and extent; Termite management system evident; Durable notice sighted (location); Photo references.
4. Borers and wood decay
Borer activity and fungal decay, with locations and whether the timber appears structurally affected.
Fields to capture: Borers found? Location and extent; Wood decay found? Location and extent.
5. Conditions conducive to timber pests
The things that invite termites in or hide them, so the client can fix them whether or not termites were found.
Fields to capture: Excessive moisture or leaking plumbing; Poor subfloor ventilation; Timber in contact with soil; Garden beds or paths bridging slab edges or weep holes; Stored timber or debris against the building; Inadequate drainage around the building.
6. Recommendations
Treatment, further invasive inspection, fixing conducive conditions, and the interval to the next inspection.
Fields to capture: Treatment recommended; Further / invasive inspection recommended; Recommended next inspection; Inspector name / licence / date.
Tips from the field
- Do not disturb live termites before photographing them. A disturbed nest can relocate and make treatment harder.
- Record moisture meter and thermal camera use where you rely on them, and say they are aids, not proof.
- Photograph each restricted area with the obstruction in frame. “Stored goods prevented access” is stronger with the photo.
- Put the risk rating and next-inspection interval in the summary, not only in the body.
Standards referenced
- AS 4349.3: inspection of buildings: timber pest inspections.
- AS 3660.2: termite management in and around existing buildings and structures.
Check the current edition and your state or territory’s requirements; this template is a starting point, not a substitute for the standard.
Frequently asked questions
What does a timber pest inspection cover?
A visual inspection for subterranean termites, borers and wood decay fungi, plus the conditions that make timber pest attack more likely, such as moisture, poor ventilation and timber in contact with soil. The report also records which areas could not be inspected and why.
Which Australian standard applies to timber pest inspections?
AS 4349.3 covers timber pest inspections. Termite management for existing buildings, including treatment and ongoing inspection, is covered by AS 3660.2.
Why does the report list areas not inspected?
A visual inspection can only report on what the inspector could see. Recording restricted areas and the reason, such as stored goods, no roof access or fixed floor coverings, tells the client where risk remains and protects the inspector if damage is later found there.
Can I complete a timber pest report on my phone?
The download is a Word document for printing or desktop use. In SurveyThanks you fill in the same sections on the device with photos, and the timber pest report is generated from your own Word template.
Fill this in on your phone and generate the report automatically
Build these sections as a SurveyThanks form, capture photos and answers on site, and the finished report renders into your own Word template.