You’re planning a new build. You’ve picked tiles, argued over tapware, even debated which way the pantry door should swing. But there’s a less glamorous decision that saves you far more money than any splashback ever will: what you do about termites before the first trench is dug. This is not a contractor-only problem. It’s a homeowner’s choice—yours—and the earlier you make it, the simpler (and cheaper) it gets.
The 60-Second Primer: How Termites Actually Threaten a New Build
Termites don’t “arrive” one day like a delivery. They’re already in the soil, searching constantly for damp, dark pathways into food—your timber. They exploit tiny gaps around pipes, cracks in a slab, voids in expansion joints, and untreated offcuts left under the house. Your job is not to kill all termites everywhere; it’s to break the easy path from soil to structure and to make the house unappetising for the long haul.
Decisions That Matter Happen Early
Timing is everything. Pre-construction is when your builder can treat soil, install barriers, and apply timber treatments without demolition or drama. Once the slab is down and walls are closed up, access gets harder and costs jump. So add “termite plan” to the same pre-pour checklist that covers drainage, vapour barriers, and reinforcement inspections.
Your Option to Choose From
Most homeowners end up combining two or more of these:
- Soil treatments: Targeted termiticide applied to the soil before the slab and around service penetrations. Think of it as a chemical “no-go” zone below the house.
- Physical barriers: Stainless-steel mesh, graded stone, or impregnated membranes placed around foundations and pipe entries. These don’t kill; they block.
- Borate or preservative treatment for timber: A protective treatment for framing and vulnerable members that makes wood far less attractive as food.
- Integrated drainage and moisture control: No standing water, good site falls, proper sub-slab moisture management. Dry ground means fewer termite superhighways.
When you’re comparing options and trying to sort marketing from science, start by reviewing the best pre-construction termite treatments that you can get and mapping those choices to your soil type, slab design, and budget. One size doesn’t fit all; what works for a raft slab on sandy soil isn’t identical to a waffle pod on heavy clay.
Talk to Your Builder Like a Pro
Ask straight questions and request straight answers—in writing.
- “What’s the pre-construction plan?” Soil, physical barrier, timber treatment, or a blend. Why this combo for this site?
- “How are pipe penetrations protected?” These are favourite entry points. You want named barrier systems or detailing, not “we’ll sort it.”
- “What happens if the plan changes on site?” Design tweaks, rain delays, or trench collapse can invalidate a treatment unless it’s redone properly.
- “Who certifies the work—and when?” You want certificates and as-built photos before concrete is poured and before walls close.
- “What’s the warranty and what voids it?” Fine print matters. Some warranties require annual inspections or ban certain landscaping choices near the slab.
Cost, Value, and the Ten-Year View
Pre-construction protection is one of the rare upgrades that gets cheaper the earlier you commit. It’s embedded in the construction sequence, not bolted on later. And the payoff is asymmetric: a modest upfront cost helps you avoid structural repairs, invasive treatments, temporary relocation, and the resale headaches that follow a termite event. If you like value plays, this is a good one.
Paperwork You Actually Need
Treat this like your home’s immune record. File it once. Keep it forever.
- Treatment/barrier specifications and product data
- Site photos before and after treatment
- Installer licences and certificates of compliance
- Warranty documents with dates and conditions
- A simple site plan marking where barriers and penetrations were protected
Red Flags to Catch Early
- Vague line items like “termite allowance” with no detail
- “We’ll do it later” promises once the slab is booked—later often means never
- Untreated cut-ends or offcuts left under decks or in subfloor spaces
- Landscaping hard up against the slab with constant moisture and mulch bridges
- No inspection plan after handover
None of these are deal-breakers if you spot them now—only if you don’t.
Make It Easy on Yourself: A Mini Checklist
- Decide your approach before excavation.
- Get the plan and products listed in the contract.
- Tie treatment dates to construction milestones.
- Collect certificates and photos at each stage.
- Book a post-build inspection calendar reminder (annual or as required by warranty).
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to become a pest-control expert. You just need to make a few smart calls at the right time and get the proof to back them up. Do that, and you’ll pour a slab that’s more than concrete—it’s a long-term, low-stress foundation for the home you’re building. Make the invisible decision now, so you don’t pay for it in very visible repairs later.
