Pre-Purchase Building Inspections

What Are Pre-Purchase Inspections?

Understanding what pre-purchase inspections are, whether you need one and who to trust to deliver it can save you (or cost you) tens of thousands of dollars. At Perth Building Inspector our trusted pre-purchase inspections can be carried our professionally, quickly and will provide you with peace of mind. 

A Pre Purchase Inspection is the primary service we at Perth Building Inspector offer. It is a service that has been refined over 35 years in the industry and has been developed into something we believe to be effective and imperative for any soon-to-be home-owners. In plain English, a property inspection is when our highly qualified inspector visits the property you wish to buy prior to the sale being carried through. The inspector gives the property a thorough assessment and checks to not only see that everything is in structurally sound, but that there are no potential problems that will sneak up on you after purchase. To the untrained eye, potential issues in the structural integrity of your home would be very difficult to pick up on, but through training and our experience as a very successful builder prior to the inspection field, we are well equipped to deal with any sort of situation.

We offer professional advice and provide comprehensive reports which are completed within 24 hours of the home inspection. After the inspection we are available for any questions you might have in relation to the inspection report.

Prices

Below is our standard pricing for all concrete slab on ground house types up to and including 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms and one kitchen. 

Additional costs will be associated with Timber Sub-Floor houses ($50.00), granny flats ($100) and for houses larger than 4 x 2 a quote will be provided.

1. Pre-purchase Structural Building Inspection $350

A Pre-Purchase Structural Building Inspection Report addresses only the structural elements of the building and will let you know if there are any significant structural defects with the house. The following areas will be inspected where applicable:

  • The interior of the building (walls, floors & ceiling structure)
  • The roof space (structure)
  • The exterior of the building (walls, foundations & grading)
  • The sub-floor space (structure)
  • The roof exterior (for deviations of structure)

A structural fault in a property is any area in the structure that has lost its structural integrity. This report is typically 15+ pages and includes photos of the structure. A sample of this report is available upon request

2. Pre-purchase Structural PLUS Building Inspection $450

The Structural Plus Inspection includes all components of our Structural Pre-Purchase Inspection (refer to the Structural Inspection description for full details), with the addition of key safety and moisture-related checks to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the property.

In addition to the structural inspection, the following items are included:

  • Testing the operation of the RCD safety switches
  • Testing smoke detectors and confirming they are within their service life
  • Moisture testing to wet areas, including behind showers, to help identify potential waterproofing failures or plumbing leaks

 

This service is ideal for clients seeking greater peace of mind by combining structural assessment with practical safety testing and early detection of potential water-related issues.

The report is typically 15+ pages in length and includes photographic evidence of relevant findings. A sample report is available upon request.

3. Pre-Purchase Comprehensive Building Inspection $595

Our Pre-Purchase Comprehensive Building Inspection Report includes all of the above in the basic report but we also check:

  • RCD’s (safety switches) and smoke detectors
  • Rising damp, moisture in bathroom wall
  • Driveway, paths and steps
  • Windows and doors
  • Electrical fittings, power points and light fittings
  • Oven, range hood, cooktop and air conditioning
  • Plumbing Fixtures and fittings, toilets, baths, vanity basins, sinks and taps
  • Kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinets, and benchtops
  • Stairs, balustrade and handrails
  • Roofing, gutters, valleys, downpipes, eaves, fascia, barges and flues
  • Sarking and Insulation
  • Boundary fencing
  • Surface water drainage

This comprehensive building report includes a complete inspection on the condition of your home. This report is usually 40+ pages and includes photos of the structure, fixtures, and fittings. 

Whether you are purchasing a new home or have concerns about your existing one, we strongly recommend this building inspection. A sample of this report can be seen on our website. 

If the house has a granny flat there will be an additional cost of $100, If the house has more that two bathrooms or one kitchen there could be an additional cost call us to discuss.

4. Pre Purchase Timber Pest Inspection $200

Our Timber Pest Inspection is conducted in accordance with Australian Standards and is designed to identify the presence of timber pests, as well as conditions that may increase the risk of future infestation.

With extensive experience in both building and pest inspections, we provide a thorough assessment of all accessible areas of the property, including the interior, exterior, roof void, and subfloor (where applicable). 

The inspection will include the following:

  • termite activity; past or present
  • past termite treatments where evidence is visible or paperwork is provided
  • areas of possible bridging or breaching of existing termite barrier
  • areas with excessive moisture
  • sub floor ventilation problems
  • areas & conditions conductive to infestation
  • areas where inspection was restricted or not possible
  • evidence of timber fungal decay damage
  • evidence of wood borer activity or damage
  • recommendations to help prevent future termite attack
  • possible safety hazards that may result from damage caused by timber pest

 

A detailed report is provided, including photographs and clear recommendations where required. A sample report is available upon request.

Pricing (when combined with a Building Inspection):

  • Concrete slab construction: $200
  • Timber subfloor construction: $250

5. Practical Completion Inspection $595

The Practical Completion Inspection Report is the builders final ‘To Do’ list at handover. 

At this stage we will check:

  • Fixtures and fittings have been installed correctly
  • Appropriate sealing has been made to the wet areas
  • External treatments have been completed and the workmanship is acceptable
  • Paint finishes are of a quality standard,
  • All hardware is fitted and works including all doors & windows
  • All plumbing and electrical devices have been completed and functioning correctly
  • All cabinets are operational
  • Signs of poor workmanship
  • Roof structure and tie-down requirements

 

This inspection report will outline all defects that require attention. Each defect is marked with a coloured sticker for easy identification by the builder and the contractors. We perform a detailed inspection for every facet including the exterior and interior of the home. A sample of this report is available upon request.

6. Defects Liability Period Inspection $495

For contracts that fall within the threshold of $7,500 to $500,000 the builder is liable to make good, without additional cost, defects in the building work that have been notified in writing within 4 months of practical completion. 

The 4 months can be extended if agreed by both parties and it has been specified in the contract. The 4 months defects liability period applies from ‘practical completion’ which means brought to the stage where the home building work is completed except for any omissions or defects which do not prevent the home building work from being reasonably capable of being used for its intended purpose. 

Most new homeowners do not realise that the responsibility is on them to contact the builder in writing within the 4 months. Often this milestone goes past and the inspection never gets done. The inspection report will identify all maintenance issues which can then be sent to the builder. The importance of getting a complete inspection done cannot be emphasised enough. 

Homeowners that fail to get any building defects in writing are essentially responsible whether it was their fault or not. This can easily be avoided by having a proper structural inspection done to identify problematic areas. A sample of this report is available upon request.

To book at service, please use our online booking form or to speak to Steve and discuss your needs call on 1800 781 251