Goodwood straddles Voortrekker Road, with older family homes on the quiet streets and shops, workshops and takeaways on the main drag.
The local picture in Goodwood
Post-war homes with timber floors and pine roofs are prime candidates for a borer find during beetle certificate inspections.
Residential streets are lined with post-war freestanding homes, many with tiled roofs, outside rooms and big backyards. Voortrekker Road and the streets off it carry shops, motor workshops, takeaways and flats above businesses. Older homes often have suspended timber floors and old roof timbers. Larger venues and the showgrounds bring crowds and food stalls when events are on.
Worth knowing
Agents tend to ask for the certificate, but buyers benefit most from understanding it. It covers accessible timber at the time of the inspection, not every hidden beam in the house.
Old exit holes are not the same as active borer. A good inspector can usually tell the difference from the colour of the hole edges and the state of the frass, and will say so clearly rather than failing a roof on old damage.
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
What happens when we come out
Our inspector checks all accessible timbers in the roof void, along with exposed woodwork such as floors, skirtings, door frames and built-in cupboards. We look for exit holes, frass, larval galleries and the condition of the timber, and we note any areas that could not be accessed. If the accessible timber is clear, we issue the Certificate of Compliance. If beetle activity is found, we recommend treatment, usually borer injection or spray on the affected timber, or replacement where the wood is too damaged, and re-inspect afterwards before certifying. We will always tell you plainly if something is a cosmetic old hole and if something is active.
- Book early in the sale
Contact us as soon as the offer is accepted so there is time for any treatment before transfer.
- Access arranged
We confirm access to the roof void and other timber areas, and note any parts that are sealed off.
- Inspection
Accessible timbers are checked for exit holes, frass and active borer damage.
- Findings explained
You get a clear answer on whether the timber is clear or what needs treating or replacing.
- Treatment if needed
Affected timber is treated or replaced, then re-inspected.
- Certificate issued
Once the timbers are clear, the Certificate of Compliance is issued for the transfer.
Prevention that actually works
- Order the beetle inspection as soon as a sale is agreed rather than leaving it to the week before transfer.
- If you are renovating, use treated timber for any new roof work.
- Keep roof voids dry and well ventilated, since damp timber is more attractive to some borers.
- Keep records of any timber treatment or roof repairs done on the property, as they help explain what the inspector sees.
- Make sure the roof hatch is accessible and not painted shut or blocked by built-in cupboards.
Pricing, honestly
The cost of a beetle inspection depends on the size of the property and how easy it is to access the roof void and timbers. Sectional title units, freestanding homes and larger properties with multiple roof spaces take different amounts of time. If beetle activity is found, treatment or timber replacement is quoted separately based on how much timber is affected.
There is no DIY route for a Certificate of Compliance, since the transfer needs an independent inspection. What you can do is look in the roof yourself before listing, so a surprise does not derail the sale. If you see fresh powder or new holes, it is much better to know early.
Questions we get asked in Goodwood
Who pays for the beetle inspection?
That depends on the terms of the sale agreement, but it is usually the seller. Check with your estate agent or conveyancer.
What is the European house borer?
It is a wood-boring beetle that attacks softwood roof timbers, and it is a notifiable pest in the Western Cape. Finding it means the infested timber must be properly dealt with.
What happens if beetles are found?
We explain where the activity is and recommend treatment or replacement of the affected timber. Once that is done and re-inspected, the certificate can be issued.
Do you come out to Goodwood for beetle certificate inspection?
Yes. Goodwood is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Parow, Elsies River, Epping, Thornton. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How long does the inspection take?
Most homes are inspected in a single visit. Our average turnaround for bookings is about 48 hours, which helps when a transfer deadline is close.
Does the certificate cover the whole house?
It covers the timbers that were accessible at the time of inspection. Areas that could not be reached are noted so everyone knows what was checked.
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