Home Loan Experts

Whether you are buying a home, selling a property, or planning major renovations, a building inspection is an essential step in your property journey. Skipping it might mean your dream home turns into a financial nightmare.

What Is A Building Inspection?

A building inspection is a comprehensive visual assessment of a property’s condition conducted by a licensed professional.

It identifies major structural defects, safety hazards, and minor maintenance issues, ensuring the property meets standard Australian building codes before final settlement.

Following the inspection, you receive a detailed building inspection report compliant with AS 4349.1 – 2007 Inspection of Buildings. This report highlights exactly where problems were uncovered and offers practical recommendations for necessary repairs.

Why Should You Get a Building Inspection?

You should get a building inspection to uncover hidden defects, identify illegal alterations lacking council approvals, and ensure structural integrity. Furthermore, it provides immense negotiation power to lower the purchase price or mandate repairs before settlement.

Here are the top 5 reasons buyers and sellers need a pre-sale building inspection:

Uncover Hidden Defects: Identify foundational issues, roof sagging, and structural movement that aren’t visible to the untrained eye.

Spot Illegal Alterations: Find unapproved extensions or renovations that lack necessary local council approvals.

Gain Negotiation Power: Use the findings as leverage to negotiate a lower purchase price or compel the seller to fix issues beforehand.

Identify Water Damage: Detects moisture, dampness, and significant water penetration that could lead to mold and decay.

Secure Peace of Mind: Ensure your financial commitment is safe and budget accurately for future maintenance costs.

What Does a Building Inspector Check?

A standard building inspection checks all accessible interior and exterior areas of the property. This includes the roof space, sub-floor, foundations, and site structures like garages, carports, and fencing. Inspectors specifically look for structural damage, moisture, and poor workmanship.

During the visual assessment, a qualified professional will evaluate the following areas:

Inspection AreaSpecific Elements Checked
InteriorWalls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and evidence of dampness or mold.
ExteriorExterior walls, roof coverings, drainage issues, and structural movement.
Roof VoidRoof framing, insulation, and signs of significant water penetration.
Sub-floorFoundations, floor framing, ventilation, and moisture levels.
Site StructuresGarages, carports, fencing, paths, driveways, and retaining walls.

Downloadable building inspection checklist

We’ve created a comprehensive Building Inspection Checklist that you can download to help guide your home-buying decision..

Download the building inspection checklist

Please note that this building inspection checklist is not a substitute for an inspection done by a professional.

How Much Does a Building Inspection Cost?

A standard building inspection typically costs between $200 and $1,000, depending on the property’s size, age, and location. On average, you can expect to pay around $400 to $600. Combined building and pest inspections cost slightly more but offer better value.

Here is a general breakdown of building inspection costs in Australia:

Property Type And LocationEstimated Cost Range
Small apartment (up to 100 sqm)$200 – $250
Average 3-bedroom home (Regional)$250 – $300
Large 4-bedroom home (Regional)$400 – $500
Large 4-bedroom home (Metropolitan)$800 – $1,000

How Long Does a Building Inspection Take?

A typical building inspection takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete, depending on the size and age of the home. Following the physical assessment, you will usually receive the comprehensive written report within 2 to 3 days. Older properties or homes with complex structural designs may require more time for a thorough evaluation.

Do You Need Both a Building and Pest Inspection?

Yes, getting a combined building and pest inspection is highly recommended. A standard building inspection evaluates structural integrity but ignores timber pests.

A dedicated pest inspection is essential to uncover hidden termite damage that could ruin your investment.

For example, termite damage can often only be found through specialized invasive inspection tools. Since structural repairs caused by pests are generally excluded from standard building reports, bundling both services protects you from unseen dangers.

Can a Property Fail a Building Inspection?

No, a property cannot technically “pass” or “fail” a building inspection. Instead, the inspector provides a detailed condition report highlighting major structural defects, safety hazards, and minor maintenance issues to help you make an informed financial decision. You can use this report to forecast future costs or ask the seller to rectify severe safety hazards before handover.

Building Inspections for New Builds and Off-The-Plan Apartments

Do you need an inspection for a brand-new home? Yes.

A handover inspection ensures the builder has not cut corners, used substandard workmanship, or failed to meet local building codes.

Common minor defects found in off-the-plan apartments include:

  • Inactive power points.
  • Sub-standard paintwork.
  • Damage to carpets or chipped tiles.
  • Poor workmanship on cabinets and drawers.
  • Unsecured fixing points on balcony handrails.
  • Improperly fitted aluminium doors and windows.

Catching these issues early means they can be rectified at no cost by the builder. If found post-settlement, the builder’s warranty may not cover them, leaving you to pay for repairs.

How to Prepare Your Property for an Inspection?

To prepare your property for a building inspection, you must provide clear access to all areas. This involves unlocking doors, moving furniture away from walls, removing obstacles to the roof void, and securing pets away from the premises.

If you are a seller, follow these steps to ensure a smooth process:

Unlock all doors: Ensure the inspector can access every room, garage, and outbuilding.

Move heavy furniture: Leave ample space between walls and furniture for visual checks.

Clear access points: Remove obstacles blocking the manhole to the roof void or sub-floor.

Secure pets and kids: Keep pets on a leash or away from the house, and keep children clear of the inspection areas.

Remove wall obstructions: Take down posters or pictures that may be covering structural wall cracks.

Notify tenants: If the property is tenanted, provide them with proper notice and kindly ask them to leave the premises during the inspection.

Do exercise your rights as a buyer to do a final inspection about a week before settlement to ensure that since the time you first exchanged contracts, everything is as it should be. Read our article on pre-settlement checklist to learn more.

Still Need Answers? We're Here To Help!

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a property, talk to us and get pre-approved before entering into a contract of sale.

We can help you find a home loan that best suits your needs.

Give us a call on 1300 889 743 or fill in our free assessment form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get A Building Inspection During The Cooling-Off Period?

Yes, you can confidently get a building inspection during the cooling-off period. In most Australian states, this period lasts up to 5 days after contracts are exchanged. You can use this conditional purchase window to have the property assessed and withdraw from the contract via written notice if hidden defects are found.

Do I Need A Building Inspection To Get A Home Loan Approved?

Who Performs A Building Inspection?

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