How to Quote a Pest Inspection in Australia
A pest inspection quote is more than a walk-through and a number. Here's how to price your time, travel and report so a $350 inspection actually turns a profit.
A pest inspection looks like an easy job to price — turn up, look around, write it up. But the money lives in the parts a quick number forgets: travel, restricted subfloors, report-writing time and the standard the client expects you to meet. This guide covers what a pest inspection quote should include, what the different inspection types are worth in 2026, and the mistakes that quietly turn a tidy fee into an hour of unpaid work.
What a good pest inspection quote covers
Before you name a price, be clear about the scope. A complete pest inspection quote spells out every part of the service so the client knows what they're paying for and you know what you've committed to:
- Inspection type — visual only, pre-purchase timber pest, or a targeted termite check. Each is a different job at a different price.
- Property size and construction — the square metreage and build type drive both time and fee.
- Areas covered — interior, subfloor, roof void, and the yard and outbuildings.
- Travel — fuel and drive time to and from the site, especially for rural or outer jobs.
- Report writing — the detailed written report is a deliverable, not a freebie. Price the hours.
- Exclusions — inaccessible areas, sealed cavities, and anything you can't reach without moving heavy furniture.
- GST — state clearly that the total includes it.
Write the quote as line items rather than one figure. It shows the client where the value sits, and it stops the report-writing hours vanishing into a round number.
Pest inspection prices in 2026
A standard visual inspection on a typical three-bedroom home sits between $250 and $450, depending on your area and how easy the property is to get around. Comprehensive jobs are better priced by area — roughly $1.80–$2.20/m² — which puts an average 200m² home around $350–$440. Use the type of inspection to set your tier:
| Inspection type | Typical price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection | $250–$450 | General check for common pests like spiders, ants and cockroaches |
| Pre-purchase timber pest (AS 4349.3) | $350–$650 | Thorough termite and borer check for a property sale |
| Termite inspection (thermal / invasive) | $400–$650 | Targeted termite hunt using thermal imaging or moisture meters |
| Combined building and pest | $700+ | Full structural and timber pest report in one visit |
A basic inspection takes about 1.5–2 hours on site, before travel or writing. Thermal imaging and invasive checks — always with the owner's written permission — take longer and justify the higher end of the range.
Working out your time and travel
Your fee has to cover more than the hours on the property. Build it from your true costs, then add a margin — 20–30% above your operational costs is a fair starting point for an inspection service.
- Charge report writing at your standard rate — allow 1–2 hours on top of site time for a pre-purchase report.
- Bill travel and fuel separately for anything outside your usual service area; rural jobs carry a real travel cost.
- Cover your overheads — insurance, vehicle maintenance, equipment, software and marketing all come out of every quote.
- Restricted subfloors, cluttered roof voids and multi-level homes add on-site time; a small unit on a slab does not.
Confirm the room count, subfloor access and roof-void access before you quote. Quote blind and the complex jobs are the ones that lose you money.
Standards and the report that sells your work
For pre-purchase work, the report is the product, and it has to meet the standard. Pre-purchase timber pest inspections must comply with Australian Standard AS 4349.3 — say so on the quote, because it tells the client you're doing the job properly, not just a quick look.
- Cover timber pests, evidence of previous treatments, and clear recommendations for any further action.
- Include photographic evidence — it protects the client and it protects you.
- Explain the findings in plain terms, not just a list, so buyers understand what they're taking on.
- State the report's validity period — a written quote should stand for 7–14 days, and the report itself is a point-in-time assessment.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Guessing the property size. Never assume the square metreage. Verify the rooms and area before quoting, or the comprehensive fee you named won't match the job you turn up to.
- Ignoring difficult access. Cramped subfloors and packed roof spaces can double your on-site time. Ask about access up front and price it in.
- Not stating exclusions. Spell out what's inaccessible — sealed areas, spaces behind heavy furniture. It prevents disputes when the report can't cover everything.
- Giving away the report time. Writing a thorough report takes an hour or more. Fold that time into your fee instead of absorbing it after the visit.
- Competing on price alone. Don't be the cheapest — be the most thorough and transparent. A clear, itemised quote wins trust that a low number never will.
Pro tips for a pest inspection quote that wins
- Put the property's square metreage on the quote so the price is transparent.
- Offer a tiered structure — basic, standard and comprehensive — so clients can choose and you can upsell value.
- List travel and fuel as their own line for out-of-area jobs.
- For pre-purchase work, state AS 4349.3 compliance in writing.
- Add a clause about inaccessible areas and possible extra charges for further investigation.
- Follow the emailed quote with a quick call — it answers questions and often closes the job.
ServiceYak keeps your inspection tiers, travel rates and report time in a reusable kit, so you can build an itemised, AS 4349.3-ready quote on site and send the PDF before you've left the driveway.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for a pest inspection?
A standard visual inspection on a typical three-bedroom home runs $250–$450. Pre-purchase timber pest reports meeting AS 4349.3 sit at $350–$650, and a combined building and pest inspection can pass $700.
Should I charge for the inspection report separately?
Build it into your fee rather than hiding it. A pre-purchase report takes 1–2 hours of writing on top of site time, so account for those hours at your standard rate every time.
How do I price a pre-purchase inspection?
Price it higher than a basic visual check because it must meet AS 4349.3 — thorough timber pest checks, photographic evidence and clear recommendations. Confirm the property size and access first so the fee matches the work.