Building And Pest Report
Looking to get a building and pest report?
The building and pest report is one of the most important parts of the buying process. It ensures that you are making an informed decision about the property as it provides a snapshot of the property’s current condition. This means you aren’t going into the blind and unaware of problems with the home.
Building and pest report
Before the report can be written, a building and pest inspection must first take place. The building and pest inspection is a combination of two inspections – a building inspection and a timber pest inspection.
The building inspection is a visual assessment of the condition of the property, looking at major and minor defects and safety hazards. The timber pest inspection is a visual inspection of all accessible areas to see if there’s any evidence of active termites or termite damage. The building and pest inspector will also note whether the property has a current termite management system.
During the inspection, the building and pest inspector will also use a moisture meter and thermal imaging camera. This equipment allows our inspectors to detect anomalies that may not be visible to the human eye. Such as high moisture readings and abnormal heat patterns in the house indicating termite activity. You can learn more about the types of equipment used by our inspectors here.
What's included in a building and pest report?
After the inspection, the building and pest inspector will collate their findings into a report. This report is easy-to-ready, includes coloured photos and is sent within 24 hours of the inspection taking place. At Dedant Building and Pest Inspections, we also include the inspector’s phone number on the last page of the report so you can call them directly with any questions.
The building and pest inspection checks all accessible areas of the property within 30 meters of the home. This includes checking the interior, exterior, roof, roof void, subfloor and garages, yard, fences and retaining walls within 30 meters of the house. Any defects found within these areas are listed in a table at the start of the report before being outlined in further detail (with colour photo) in the body of the report. Any termite activity or termite damage can be found in the second half of the report under the timber pest inspection.
Under Australian Standards, inspectors can only check the subfloor, roof and roof void if it’s safe to do so. The inspectors will also note if there are any visual signs of issues with the hot water system, water tanks, gas and electrical. However, inspectors are unable to test these items as they are outside the inspector’s qualifications. We suggest hiring the relevant tradesperson to check plumbing, gas, electrical wiring and items within the house.
Why are building and pest reports important?
Whether you’re buying a house, apartment or townhouse, it’s a big investment! It’s essential that you have a clear understanding of the current condition of the property.
You want to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for and that you’re not buying a money pit. It also gives you peace of mind and can save you from costly repairs of defects that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
What to do with your building and pest report
Once you receive the building and pest report, it’s important to read it carefully. After reading through it, you generally have three options:
- Proceed with the purchase and settle on terms already discussed with the vendor
- Negotiate with the vendor to either lower the purchase price or make repairs prior to settlement, if major defects are found
- Exit the contract and look for a new property
The purpose of the building and pest report is to help you make an informed decision, not to advise on whether the home is a good purchase for you. The personal situation surrounding each buyer varies greatly so you need to decide what’s right for you, based on the information in the report.
If you are still unsure after reading the report, we recommend seeking advice from your solicitor, lawyer, financial broker, or conveyancer. Some people also find it helpful to seek advice and cost estimates from the relevant trades recommended in the report. This helps to gauge how complex and costly the repairs are before deciding.
How much does a building and pest report cost?
The building and pest report cost will vary depending on the size of the property. As the building and pest inspectors need to allow enough time to complete a thorough inspection and comprehensive report.
At Dedant Building and Pest Inspections, our building and pest inspections start from $340 including GST (June 2023) for apartments and units. Whereas, houses start from $440 for a standard size 2-bedroom property.
Additional costs apply for properties that are on an island, have additional living areas, dual living or a granny flat.
Have peace of mind with Dedant Building and Pest Inspections
We are fully licensed and highly experienced to carry out building and pest inspections.
We have been providing pre-purchase building and pest inspections to Brisbane, Redland Bay, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Logan since 2009.
Contact us on 07 3807 0122 or via our website.
