By Brian Cassie May 18, 2023

There are lots of moving parts to buying a home and in the chaos, it can be easy to skip over things that are key in ensuring you’re making a good investment. One of those things is getting a building and pest inspection from a licensed builder. Here some things you should know about getting a pest and building inspection.

Don’t go into your purchase blind – get a building and pest inspection, sometimes called a pre-purchase inspection

Pre-purchase inspections are designed to protect the buyer by ensuring you’re fully aware of the condition of the property – prior to purchase. Buying a new home is likely to be one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Understandably, you want to make sure the house is in the condition you believe it to be.

What a building and pest inspection actually is…

A building and pest inspection is a comprehensive check of a property looking for any building defects and termite activity or damage. Many people think that by looking at the home themselves they can identify what needs repairing or not. Whilst this might be true for some, many people have no building experience but are relying on their own assessment of the house to determine if its in good condition. This might sound good in theory because you might be able to save some money by not getting a building and pest inspection but in reality, it’s a bad idea. A professional building and pest inspector knows what signs to look for when inspecting a property that might be hiding defects or termite damage. They also have the advantage of years of experience.

The inspection is a thorough inspection, not just a quick check

If you’ve hired the right building and pest inspector, they will check the whole house – inside, outside and the roof! A good inspector will check all areas within a property including the garage, any additional sheds or flats, subfloor and foundations, yard, fences and retaining walls, not just the house itself.

Make sure the home doesn’t have termites!

Termites are small insects that feed on wood and can cause significant damage to homes and buildings if left unchecked. They are particularly active in warmer, damp climates. The cost to repair termite damage can be very expensive depending on the level of damage. It’s also generally not covered by house insurance. That’s why it’s so important to have the house thoroughly checked for termites before purchasing.

The signs of termites and termite damage are:

• Crumbling or damaged wood: Termites can cause wood to become weak and brittle, which can lead to it breaking or crumbling easily.
• Hollow-sounding wood: If you tap on a piece of wood and it sounds hollow, it could be a sign that termites have been eating away at the inside of it.
• Visible termite swarmers: If you see winged termites around your home, it could be a sign of a termite swarm. This often indicates an established colony nearby.
• Clicking sounds in walls: When there is a large infestation or if you’re close enough to the wall, you may be able to hear clicking. Termites make this noise as they consume timber and mingle together.
• Mud tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel between their colony and their food source, which can be visible on walls or foundation.
• Swollen floors or ceilings: If you notice a floor or ceiling that appears to be swollen or bulging, it could be a sign of water damage from termite activity.

Some inspectors will also use thermal imaging cameras to help detect termites and water problems

A thermal imaging camera is an amazing tool that allows building and pest inspectors to detect anomalies that may not be visible to the human eye. Such as large heat spots indicating termite activity or possible water leaks. It is also helpful for identifying rising damp.

A moisture meter is also used during a building and pest inspection. It provides a reading of moisture levels on certain objects and areas like plaster and bathroom tiles. This moisture reading helps our inspectors to ascertain whether there may be any water issues or areas that are conducive to termites.

The cost of a building and pest inspection

The cost of a building and pest inspection will vary from company to company. However, most building and pest inspectors will price the inspection by the size of the house due to the amount of time it takes. For example, most inspectors will charge more for a 5-bedroom home than a small 2-bedroom home.

Most building inspectors won’t comment on whether you should or shouldn’t buy the house but they will provide you with enough information about the property to make an informed decision yourself.

A professional inspector will not comment on whether the house is a suitable purchase or not but can provide the findings of the inspection and discuss the severity of defects contained in the property. The report will also compare the property to others of similar age and type. From this, the buyer can make an informed decision. The report may give the buyer negotiating power on the contract price. Some buyers will love the property and purchase regardless, others will walk away, but the buyer is the only one who can make that decision.

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