Good news! If you’re looking at pest and building inspection cost, you must already know that they’re a vital step before you decide on your dream home.
When you’re doing a home inspection on your own, you might not have the knowledge or expertise to look out for things that may be lurking beyond the surface. Perhaps there’s a leak under a sink somewhere or worse, a termite infestation!
Which is why it’s usually a better idea to trust the professionals and have them take a good look at the property you’re interested in. Yes, these are paid services, and the price depends on the size of your home.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the cost of a building and pest inspection and why you should spend the money on it!
Related articles:
- Why you shouldn’t skip a building and pest report on a new property
- Understanding a bad building and pest report
- Pest Infestation Signs to Look Out For During An Inspection
Pest and building inspection cost
In Australia, there is no flat fee for a building inspection. The size of the property will be the deciding factor. Generally, the rates are as follows:
- $210-$300 for granny flats or 1-bedroom homes
- $390-$500 for apartments and 2-bedroom houses
- $500-$900 for larger apartments and homes in metropolitan areas
Separately, you can also get a pest inspection on its own which will cost less. $100-$180 is the going rate for a pest inspection and when you combine it with a building inspection, expect to fork out around $500 for a 3-bedroom home.
While it might seem like you’re paying for the service, what you’re really paying for is the report. But this can save you in the long run.
For example, if you’re inspecting an old home which, it turns out, has a lot of issues, the repairs of those might be super costly. However, this does put you in a better position to negotiate a lower price with the seller that will cover the cost of the repairs.
Before you schedule a building and pest inspection, make sure you’re seriously considering buying the home. You don’t want to be paying for an inspection for every home you’re viewing!
How much does a building and pest inspection cost in NSW?
The cost of a building inspection will vary between states and cities, but in the metropolitan city of Sydney, NSW, you can expect to pay a little more. Small 1-bedroom apartments can cost $500 and above $600 for large houses.
Who pays for the building and pest inspection?
The inspection cost is normally covered by the buyer. But it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re interested in buying the home.
Why should I hire a building inspector?
As we mentioned earlier, doing a pre-purchase building and pest inspection is a crucial step before agreeing to the purchase price. They act as a safety net for the buyer in case there are issues with the property.
When you’re looking at the inspection report, you can make a more informed decision on buying the property because you’ll essentially know everything there is to know about it.
What does a building and pest inspection cover?
In a standard building inspection, they’ll look at any minor and major problems and safety hazards in structural damage to these areas:
- Exterior and interior walls
- Doors and windows
- Roofing
- Floor areas and below ground
- Bathrooms and laundry area
- Garage, driveway and shed
- Driveway
- Stairs, fencing and pathways
- Non-structural walls
- Any illegal additions to the home
The pest inspection will cover:
- Evidence of household critters like termites, bedbugs, cockroaches, bees, ants, snakes and other insects.
- Flooring, walls, siding and all structures to see if these pests have made a home in the home, and where they’re coming in from.
- Once the pests are removed, their old hiding places will need to be fixed up.
When should I schedule the building inspection?
Building and pest inspections should always be scheduled before you finalise the purchase price of a property. Often, once the contract of sale has been signed, there will be a short 1 to 2-week window where you can cancel the contract or request amends.
During this time, you should have the inspection carried out and assess how the report impacts your decision.
Your conveyancer will usually help organise this for you. Alternatively, you can get in touch with a local inspection service.
How long does a building and pest inspection report take?
Depending on the size of your home, a building and pest inspection will normally take 1.5-2 hours. The duration also depends on how old the building is and what condition it’s in.
If the building inspector finds anything, you can also expect them to take a little longer to understand the issue.
Getting quotes for the pre purchase building inspection
Before you settle with one inspection service, make sure you get estimates from more than one qualified inspector. Check that they’re including the same offerings as well before making a comparison. Read reviews and testimonials as well.
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