Building inspection can take up to 3 hours for a normal-sized house and pest inspection takes approximately 60 minutes.
The combined cost for building inspection and pest inspection start from around $495. The individual building inspection cost and pest inspection cost starts from $399 and $350 respectively. Building inspection cost varies from place to place. Inspection in a regional area is between $400 and $500, while it costs from between $800 and $1000 in metropolitan area. The building and pest inspection cost in different major cities, listed below.
Location | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
Victoria | $380 |
Brisbane | $400 to $600 |
Melbourne | $500 |
Sydney | $200 to $420 |
Smaller properties require less time and efforts than bigger properties. The building inspection cost of varying sizes in Brisbane are below.
Size of property | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
Granny flat / one bedroom apartment | $200 to $260 |
Apartments less than 100 square meters | $300 to $360 |
2 bed unit / homes less than 100 square meters | $310 to $370 |
Medium size homes (three bedrooms and two bathrooms) | $340 to $400 |
Large size homes (four bedrooms and two bathrooms) | $350 to $410 |
Extra large size homes (five bedrooms and two bathrooms) | $360 to $420 |
Different inspectors offer different building inspection service packages, each varying in the included services, cost and discounts. Buying a combined package is cheaper than individual services.
A property with a private well system, septic system, outbuilding, barns or extended travel time, adds to the cost. the inspector may charge.
Building inspections are very thorough. They typically include the below.
Leak stains.
Mould.
Cracks in walls.
Rust.
Dampness.
Electricity or plumbing issues.
Doors and windows.
Ventilation.
Hot water services.
Heating and cooling.
Fencing.
Wiring.
Roof space and ceilings.
Building inspectors examine the areas unreachable by the property owner, which include:
Underneath the house: footings, stumps and drainage.
Structural integrity.
Locked garages or sheds.
The roof space: structure, leaks, insulation.
This building inspection is carried out following the Australian Standard 4349.1. According to the standard assessment, the identified defects must fall under these categories- damage, water/damp related and deterioration. An inspection report is generated by the building inspectors that contains all the potential future issues, exposing past and current problems. An experienced inspector can suggest possible solutions.
Wood decay.
Fungi.
Borer.
Evidence of damage of timber in all area of the house.
Termites.
It involves inspection through moisture meters, motion detectors, thermal imaging cameras in areas of concern and special borescopes. Once the assessment is over, the homeowner is provided with a pest inspection report containing information about visible damages made by pest, areas conducive to general pest attack and advice and techniques to avoid any future attacks.
On average, it takes 90 minutes to 2 hours to do the job in a normal-sized house by two professional inspectors. The following factors contribute to the length of the job.
Bigger houses take more time than medium or small-sized ones and you will pay accordingly.
This plays a vital role. A home built on stumps takes longer to inspect than a house constructed on a concrete slab as slab floors have no subfloor. Building inspection takes 2-3 hours for a normal-sized house, and pest inspection takes approximately 60 minutes. It takes an hour to inspect a new property, while an old house with poor conditions may take up to 2 or more hours.
This type of inspection takes 3- 4 hours, including inspecting every major and minor defect and other safety hazards.
This takes approximately 1.5 hours to get this job done, as only significant defects related to the primary structural elements of the building are examined.
This type of inspection takes 3-5 hours, depending on the size of the property. All the aspects of the property are thoroughly examined. A detailed report stating all major and minor defects can be delivered to the homeowner in around 24 hours.
The buyer can prepare a clause in the agreement to repair the property before locking the deal. Illegal renovation in a house will hurt insurance and taxes. A pre-purchase building inspection can save the buyer from future obligations.
Before selling the house, a pest and building inspection will help correct any defects in the property,possibly increasing its value and attracting potential buyers.
Some insurance companies do not provide insurance without a specific inspection. This will help decide the type of insurance cover, including warranties that a person should consider according to their home's current condition.
A pest and building inspection is critical as old buildings are more vulnerable to termites and pest attacks. Water leakage and other deterioration signs are common in old properties.
Building inspectors focus on reviewing (checking the working capacity and condition of) electrical, mechanical, heating, plumbing and air conditioning/ventilation system. Minor systems like the fire control system is also checked. Electrical conductors, circuit breakers, meters, panel boards, attic, insulation and ventilation are examined.
Outer walls, parking space, roofing, fencing path, driveway, and landscaping are inspected to give insight into the building's construction structural soundness and external health. An inspector checks if there are any safety-related hazards. Rooms dimensions are checked to ensure they are the same as advertised by the seller. Inspection includes damages like broken windows and cabinet doors, which are generally ignored.
The building inspector looks for issues with internal elements like floors, bathrooms, offices and kitchens and check if the building space meets local building codes. This check includes an examination of leakage or seepage on walls and ceiling.
The inspector performs a documentation check during the inspection. They go through appraisals, building plans, citations, certificates of occupancy, construction permits, evacuation plans, environmental studies, fire safety system records, floor plans, maintenance records and surveys. Based on the observation, inspectors make a report complying with the Australian standard inspection report. It contains the inspector's unbiased opinions on the property, all detected faults, significant issues requiring an immediate attention, and recommendations and tips for the homeowner.