Building and Pest Inspection
A building and pest inspection report is a written account of the property’s condition. It can be commissioned pre-purchase, so that home buyers are informed of any significant defects in a property. The typical building inspection cost generally ranges in the hundreds of dollars, and some inspectors offer combined building and pest inspection services, which can be more affordable than ordering separate inspections.
The goal of the inspection is to identify any issues that might affect the property's value or safety. Ensuring compliance with building regulations during the inspection is crucial, as knowledgeable inspectors can provide specific advice to meet current building rules.
What is a Building and Pest Inspection?
A building and pest inspection is a comprehensive examination of a property to identify any potential issues or defects in the building and any signs of pest activity, such as termites. Conducted by a licensed professional, this inspection involves a thorough visual examination of both the interior and exterior of the property, including accessible roof cavities and subfloor areas. The goal is to uncover any structural damage, water damage, or pest infestations that could affect the property’s value or safety. By commissioning a building and pest inspection, you can make an informed decision about your investment and avoid unexpected surprises down the line.
What is a building inspection report?
Sometimes referred to as a ‘standard property report’, a building report is a detailed property inspection conducted by a building inspector on a freestanding home. For apartment buildings and units within a complex, it’s more commonly a “strata report”.
At OwnHome, our buyer’s agents always purchase building and pest inspections for our customers. It’s just one way we make sure you are getting your money’s worth when purchasing your house and don’t get stuck with a lemon. A professional pest inspector conducts thorough visual inspections to identify active termite presence and possible damage, providing insights into risks and management recommendations. Additionally, professional pest control services are crucial in dealing with infestations, as they offer the expertise and tools necessary for effective treatment and prevention.
What is a pest inspection report?
A pest inspection is where a qualified pest inspector attends a property and conducts a methodical and careful visual examination of the inside and outside of a property, sometimes using thermal sensing and moisture detecting technology. This helps to identify pests such as termites and cockroaches. Booking pest inspection services is easy and they offer immediate quotes and quick turnaround times for inspection reports.
Commonly, the two reports are combined into a building & pest inspection report. Identifying termite infestations is crucial to prevent financial loss, as active infestations may remain hidden and require specialised inspection methods.
Generally, you’ll commission this report once you have inspected a property yourself.
Benefits of a Building and Pest Inspection
A building and pest inspection offers numerous benefits for property buyers, sellers, and owners. Firstly, it helps identify potential issues or defects in the building, such as structural damage or water damage, which can be costly to repair. Secondly, it detects signs of pest activity, including termites and rodents, which can cause significant damage if left unchecked. The inspection provides a comprehensive report outlining any issues or defects found, which can be used to negotiate a better price for the property. Additionally, having this information provides peace of mind for property buyers and owners, knowing that they are making a sound investment.
Why do I need a building and pest report?
Your home will likely be one of the most significant investments you make. This is a low-cost and generally highly effective way of identifying potential future problems. Annual termite inspections are crucial preventive measures against infestations and potential damage to a property.
Using this knowledge, you can more effectively negotiate the property price to account for likely repairs or get additional specialist knowledge in advance of a purchase. These reports involve a thorough visual inspection of both the interior and exterior of the building, including hard-to-reach areas like roof cavities and sub-floors, to ensure all potential damage is identified.
If any issues are identified within the report that the vendor or real estate agent agrees to fix in advance of the purchase, you can organise to amend the contract of sale.
You can use this guide to understand how to calculate the value of a home as part of a purchase.
Types of Pest Inspections
There are several types of pest inspections available, each focusing on different aspects of pest activity:
- Timber Pest Inspection: This inspection specifically targets signs of termite activity and other timber pests that can cause extensive damage to wooden structures.
- General Pest Inspection: This broader inspection looks for signs of various pests, including rodents, cockroaches, and other common household pests.
- Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection: Conducted before purchasing a property, this inspection aims to identify any potential pest issues that could affect the property’s value or safety.
By choosing the appropriate type of pest inspection, you can ensure that your property is thoroughly examined for any pest-related concerns.
What is included in a building and pest report?
A property inspection report should cover:
- Interior and exterior walls
- Roof exterior view and the roof space/cavity
- Gutters
- The floor and subfloor
- Toilets and bathrooms
- Laundry
- Garage, sheds, driveways and carports
- Stairs, fencing and pathways
- Non-structural retaining walls
- Visible structural issues
- Minor defects like paint chips or cracks in tiles
- Visible signs of asbestos
- Termite infestations or termite damage
- Pest inspection service, emphasizing the efficiency of same-day service and rapid report delivery
- The importance of a termite inspection for identifying active termites and assessing damage
What to look for in the report
Look for things such as water damage and leaks, broken appliances and wood rot in person and in reports. Pest inspectors play a crucial role in detecting termite infestations that are not easily visible, using specialized tools and industry experience to ensure thorough building and pest inspections.
The major callouts to look out for in reports include evidence of untreated termite activity, serious structural issues (including ground movement) or anything flagged as a ‘major defect’.
Signs of Termite Activity
Termites can cause significant damage to a property if left unchecked. Some common signs of termite activity include:
- Mud trails leading up the sides of buildings
- Pieces of dried mud in the joins of doors or windows
- Damp stains or blistering on doors or skirting boards
- Soft or sagging floorboards
- The faint sound of tapping or chewing behind plaster walls
Being aware of these signs can help you detect termite activity early and take the necessary steps to prevent further damage.
Treatment and Prevention Options
If termite activity is detected, there are several treatment and prevention options available:
- Chemical Soil Treatment: This method involves treating the soil around the property with a termiticide to create a barrier that prevents termites from entering the property.
- Baiting Systems: Bait stations are placed around the property to attract and kill termites, effectively reducing their population.
- Termite Dusting: A termiticide is dusted onto affected areas to kill termites directly.
- Regular Inspections: Scheduling regular inspections can help detect termite activity early, reducing the risk of significant damage.
By implementing these treatment and prevention options, you can protect your property from termite infestations and maintain its structural integrity.
What isn't included in a building and pest report?
- Issues that are hidden behind walls or ceilings. Inspectors can't assess things that aren't readily accessible and will outline the areas in their report that were obstructed. This includes everything that is blocked by these things, including plumbing, drains and electrical wiring issues. It may also not include structural problems that are hidden.
- Appliances. Some properties are sold with built-in appliances. Appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, air conditioning and range hoods often aren't within scope. You can check these yourself during an inspection.
- Home accessories. Alarm systems, fire and smoke alarms and television antennas aren't included in the report.
- Swimming pools and whether they comply to Australian standards. Compliance differs across Australia, so whether you're in NSW and buying in Newcastle or Sydney or Queensland and purchasing in Brisbane or the Gold Coast - you should get a local professional to check this is safe.
The inspector is working for you to help you secure a great home, and they will provide a detailed report with their findings. It can be really helpful to attend the inspection so you can ask questions to see exactly what they are referring to, but in most cases, inspectors provide their number for a call after the report is complete in case you have questions.
How much does a building and pest report cost?
Real estate agents will often organise to pre-purchase building inspection reports so that it is quickly accessible to buyers. This fee is usually split into $50 upfront, and then $450 if you successfully purchase the home. The typical building inspection cost generally ranges in the hundreds of dollars, and combined building and pest inspections can be more affordable than ordering separate inspections.
You can also commission your own Building report. If you do commission your own report, you’ll need to pay for this upfront and out of pocket. There is typically a fee of $500, sometimes up to $750 depending on providers. Ideally, use a building and pest inspector who will explain the key findings for you, not simply write the report.
Should I buy a building and pest report from the real estate agent?
You may be able to purchase a building and pest report from the real estate agent, which has been commissioned from by the current homeowner. This is often convenient as you don't need to organise a report yourself.
However, it's important to know that this may have some drawbacks.
- The real estate agent likely has an ongoing professional relationship with the supplier of the reports - which makes it harder to guarantee they are an impartial third-party.
- You haven't been able to vet that the inspector is fully trained and you may find it harder to contact them directly to enquire about the specifics of the findings.
- Building and Pest Inspection reports is not part of a regulated industry, so you have no way of guaranteeing that the inspector conducted a thorough inspection or has accurately characterised any potential defects they have found.
If you're able to, we recommend you use a licensed builder, a surveyor or an architect, or a similarly qualified person to inspect the property. Additionally, choosing a professional pest inspector for thorough visual inspections is crucial. These professions should spot faults hidden under cosmetic improvements that might otherwise be missed by an untrained eye.
Ask if the person that you choose has adequate insurance coverage, particularly for professional indemnity.
OwnHome Buyer's Agent Service
We always conduct a building and pest inspection prior to making an unconditional offer on a property. Where we can, we organise our own building and pest inspectors to ensure home buyers are protected as much as possible.
The home-buying process can be overwhelming and you want to know you're making a good investment. An OwnHome buyer's agent can help you access and understand the pest and building reports, market trends, valuation, and comparable properties to help you make a great decision.
Key takeaways
While a building and pest inspection report isn't a mandatory part of the home buying process we recommend property buyers access and review one pre-sale.
Whether you are buying your first home or investment property, this is a low-cost written report that provides peace of mind that your home doesn't have major red flags.
