Termite Certificate Information
Note: Update – As of September 2021 the form 16 has now been changed to Form 43 – Aspect Certificate (QBCC Licensee) or Form 12 – Aspect Inspection Certificate (Appointed Competent Person). The form is exactly the same the only thing that has changed is the name.
Now for a final certifiers certificate the form we have to provide is generally going to be the form 43 if we need to issue the form 12 we will let you know for any questions regarding this change please call our office, all previously issued forms 16 are fine with no change required.
A termite certificate is what you will need for approvals on the completion of any house renovations where a concrete slab has been poured.
During my time as a pest control technician, I’ve met a lot of people with different problems with all manner of pests. One problem I come across from time to time is when a customer has had new building works done, and their builder goes bust on them.
Builders go broke all the time and this leaves homeowners in a very hairy predicament, problems with builders can go on for years, leaving homeowners to pick up the pieces and try to find another builder to complete the works.
All new building work will need to have a termite barrier of some kind installed; where a slab is required, this is usually done at the start of the job before the concrete is poured.
In most cases a physical termite barrier will be installed in the form of products such as, Greenzone, termimesh, cordon sheeting, granite granules; the type that is installed will depend on the type of slab being poured and its location.
The termite barrier is usually organised by the builder, once the barrier has been completed the pest control company that installed it will give the builder some paperwork; a: termite treatment certificate” The paperwork will have details of what system was installed where it was installed and the date of the service.
What Happens When A Builder Goes Bust Or Disappears
So your part way through a new build or a home renovation and the builder goes bust and leaves the building partly finished, the slab may have been poured and even the walls could have been put up. You then need to find a new builder to take on the job to complete it.
In most situations where this happens the first thing most homeowners would do is call the QBCC for advice, this can be a very long and drawn out process, I know this because of the stories I’ve heard from customers that this has happened too.
When this sort of thing happens the biggest problem will be getting another builder to complete the works, builders generally don’t like to take on a partially finished project, as they have no idea whether the works done by the previous builder have been done correctly, or with the correct paperwork.
This is where it all can get a bit messy especially when it comes to the termite paperwork, you see all new building works will need to be passed off by a certifier; this is done to ensure that all the works completed have been done in accordance to the current Australian Standards.
The builder will be required to collect paperwork from each trade that works on the job site, including the pest control company, this paperwork is then passed onto the certifier, and the certifier will then check that each trade is licenced and competent in their trade.
Without all the correct paperwork the building or Reno will not get a final tick of approval by the certifier, leaving the whole project in limbo.
Termite Nest
Where a slab has been poured and no paperwork issued for the termite barrier, then there may also be no form 16 now known as form 43 given, these are the forms the certifier will need along with the termite certificate to ensure everything has been done correctly under the slab, the main one being, of course, is the termite barrier; as the slab can’t be lifted up once it’s been poured.
The new builder that takes on the rest of the works is not responsible for the previous builder’s mistakes, and will have this written into the new contract, and therefore can’t give any paperwork for the termite barrier, this responsibility then becomes the owners.
Once a concrete slab has been poured there’s no way of telling whether the termite barrier has been done correctly, so it’s not as easy as just call up another pest control company to sign off on it.
As with all trades, no pest control Brisbane company would provide a guarantee or certificate for works done by another company, I have had customers call me up asking for just that, and have even offered to pay me cash just to get the final termite certificate.
This just can’t be done as it puts the company’s reputation at risk and also their license, there are ways around it without having to pull up the slab and start all over again.
Where a previous pest control company can’t be found a new one will have to be engaged to fix the problem. The new pest control company called in to do the job can do a perimeter treatment around the new slab, or drill and inject the new slab.
In the photos attached, we are doing a barrier around the edge of a verandah slab for a customer, where his builder went broke and left the country. The owner didn’t want us to drill and inject the new slab and tiles, so the alternative was a trench around the outside.
This will still require paperwork to be filled out and then passed onto the certifier, in this sort of situation it’s usually down to the homeowner to find the pest company and obtain all the required paperwork to then give to the certifier.
So it’s not the end of the world it can be sorted out, but there is a process that has to be followed in order to keep the certifier happy, I’ll now explain exactly what needs to be done by the homeowner to get their approval certificates.
The Process To Get A Termite Certificate
So for all those needing to get a termite certificate for building approval follow the steps below.
- Get the name and phone number of your building certifier.
- Call us here at sunnystate pest control.
- Give us the certifier’s details.
- Leave us to do the rest
That’s pretty much about it, we can handle the whole process from start to finish and ensure you get the correct paperwork; to pass off your new building works or renovation project.
We have dealt with this situation a number of times now for some of our customers, and have never had a problem, and generally resolving the issue for our customers within a week or two.
The reason why we need the certifier’s details is that it’s easier for us to speak directly with them so that we can explain exactly what type of treatment can be done, this way it saves time money and any confusion.
There’s no point spending money on having a barrier installed if the certifier isn’t going to be happy with it.
The Forms
When a situation like this occurs many people are frantic trying to get a hold of form 16 now form 43, there is plenty of confusion over which form you actually need.
This is best left up to the pest control company doing the installation, the main thing is that the owner; also get a copy for their records.
If you engage the services of a professional termite company they will know exactly what will need to be done.
Your certifier and the pest controller doing the job will discuss which forms are relevant for the building works to be fully passed off.
For more information on form 16 now form 43 please (Click Here)
Does It Really Need Doing
Does a barrier treatment really need to be done, the simple answer to that is yes; the reason being is that termites can do extensive damage to a building in a very short amount of time. Remember home insurance does not cover a homeowner for termite damage.
Where termites damage a home the owner has to pay for all the repairs, and the cost of getting rid of the termites, that cost can run into thousands of dollars.
If you are having a new house built or a reno done in your home, make sure that the company you engage, is fully licensed and insured to carry out the work. Also, ensure you get a copy of the termite certificate and if required a form 16 now known as form 43.
Conclusion
The building and pests control code changes all the time so it’s important to keep up to date with any changes to forms and their names. Your local pest control company should be able to give advice on which form you need at the time of your renovation work in regards to termites.
Once all renovations are complete ensure the home stays termite free and have an annual termite inspection carried out. Termite inspections are a crucial aspect in protecting a home against termite attack.
For any further information on this type of issue please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Sunnystate Pest Control by phone or email.
