Building and Pest Inspections
The building and any timber pest activity checked before you sign or bid.
A building and pest inspection checks a property for building defects and for timber pests such as termites in the one inspection. On a home, the building part follows Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 and the pest part AS 4349.3.
What the building inspection covers
The building inspection covers the accessible areas of the property, inside and out. We report the visible major and minor defects and the areas that need repair or further investigation. The home's age, construction type, condition and access are all taken into account.
What the timber pest inspection covers
The timber pest inspection follows AS 4349.3, the Australian Standard for inspecting buildings for the activity of timber pests such as termites. Termite activity usually happens in concealed areas and is often hard to spot, says the Building and Plumbing Commission. It recommends having an expert inspect a house for termite activity before you buy.
Book it before you sign or bid
In Victoria there's no cooling-off period when you buy at a publicly advertised auction, or in the three clear business days either side of it. Have the inspection done before auction day or before you sign a private sale contract.
What it costs
A building and pest inspection is $595 + GST on a house, townhouse, unit or apartment. On a commercial property it's $795 + GST.
We inspect across metropolitan Melbourne. A travel fee of $100 + GST may apply for Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Phillip Island, Warragul and the areas around them.
How a Building and Pest Inspection Works
Tell us about the property
The address, the type of property and when you need the report.
We book a time
A time to inspect the property before you sign or bid.
We inspect the property
The building's accessible areas and any signs of timber pest activity.
You get the report
A written report of the defects and any timber pest activity we found.
Questions about Building and Pest Inspections
What is a building and pest inspection?
It's a building inspection and a timber pest inspection of a property, done together. The building part reports the visible defects in the accessible areas, inside and out. The pest part looks for the activity of timber pests such as termites, to Australian Standard AS 4349.3.
How much does a building and pest inspection cost in Melbourne?
Ours is $595 + GST on a house, townhouse, unit or apartment and $795 + GST on a commercial property. A travel fee of $100 + GST may apply for Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Phillip Island, Warragul and the areas around them.
What gets checked in a building and pest inspection?
It covers the accessible areas of the property, inside and out, for visible building defects and signs of timber pest activity. The Building and Plumbing Commission also suggests owners look regularly for termites themselves: timber that breaks easily into wafer thin layers, mud-like tubes around footings and brickwork, and cracks or holes in timber or plaster with a fine dust.
Which Australian Standards does the inspection follow?
On a home, the building inspection follows AS 4349.1-2007 and the timber pest inspection AS 4349.3. AS 4349.1 sets out the requirements for pre-purchase inspections of residential buildings. AS 4349.3 covers inspecting buildings for the activity of timber pests.
Should I get a building and pest inspection before an auction?
Yes, have it done before auction day. Victoria's Sale of Land Act gives no cooling-off period on a sale at a publicly advertised auction, or on one made in the three clear business days either side of it. Consumer Affairs Victoria suggests getting a professional building inspection report before you sign a contract of sale.
Should I get a pest inspection before buying a house?
Yes, the Building and Plumbing Commission recommends having an expert inspect a house for termite activity before you buy. It says termites cause more damage to Australian houses than fire, floods and storms combined. The damage may not be covered by household insurance.
What does the pest part add to a building inspection?
It adds an inspection for timber pests such as termites, to Australian Standard AS 4349.3. On a house, townhouse, unit or apartment our pre-purchase building inspection is $495 + GST and a building and pest inspection is $595 + GST. See Pre-Purchase Inspections for the building inspection on its own.
Do you inspect commercial property?
Yes, a building and pest inspection on a commercial property is $795 + GST. See Commercial Building Inspections for our other commercial inspections.
Related Inspections
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Know the condition of a home before you buy it.
Commercial Building Inspections
Inspections and reports on commercial property and new builds.
Dilapidation Reports
Residential, commercial and council asset dilapidation reports.
Building Inspections
Residential, construction stage and commercial inspections.
Book a building and pest inspection
Send us the address and when you need the report, or call us on 0421 307 603.