Building & Timber Pest Inspections Perth

Inspector West provides building and timber pest inspections across the whole Perth metropolitan area, from Joondalup and Yanchep in the north to Mandurah in the south and out to the hills. Every inspection is carried out by Brian Francis Collins, a WA registered builder (BC13603 / BP13603) with more than 33 years of building experience and registration held since 2011.

Every report is written by Brian personally, and clients can speak with him directly to go through the findings and discuss the next steps.

Common issues in Perth homes

Perth’s housing ranges from post-war brick homes and inner-city character properties to strata developments and new homes in fast-growing estates. Each type of property presents different risks:

Established brick homes. Many Perth suburbs are made up of double brick and tile homes built from the 1960s to the 1990s. Common findings include ageing roof tiles and ridge capping, deteriorated roof plumbing, cracking to brickwork and ceilings, and older wet areas with failed waterproofing.
Character and older homes. Older homes in the inner suburbs and around Fremantle can include timber floors, timber framing and multiple past renovations. Inspections pay close attention to subfloor areas where accessible, timber condition and the quality of alterations.
New homes and growth corridors. New estates in the northern, eastern and southern growth corridors continue to expand. Independent stage inspections and practical completion inspections (PCI) identify defects before handover, when builders are best placed to rectify them.
Hills properties. Homes in the Perth hills often sit on sloping sites with retaining walls, decks and more complex drainage. These elements are assessed for movement, deterioration and water management.
Soil and site drainage. Much of the Perth coastal plain is sand, while parts of the eastern suburbs and foothills have clay soils that expand and shrink with moisture. Poor drainage, leaking downpipes and garden beds against walls can contribute to cracking, paving movement and rising damp. Visible signs are recorded, along with their likely causes.
Coastal exposure. Homes close to the coast are exposed to salt-laden air. Roof fixings, gutters, flashings, window frames, balustrades and exposed steelwork are assessed for corrosion.
Timber pests. Termites are a genuine risk across the Perth metropolitan area in both established and new homes. A timber pest inspection examines accessible areas of the building and grounds for activity, damage and conducive conditions such as moisture, timber in contact with the ground, and bridged or obstructed barriers. The common warning signs are described in Signs of Termites in Perth Homes.

Inspection services across Perth

Pre-purchase building inspections, providing a clear picture of a property’s condition before the contract becomes unconditional.
Timber pest inspections, available on their own or combined with a building inspection in a single visit.
Pre-sale inspections, allowing sellers to identify and address issues before listing.
New build stage inspections and practical completion inspections (PCI) before handover.
Building Health Checks for landlords and property managers, quoted on request, based on the number and type of properties.
Moisture and roof-leak investigations for ceiling staining, damp walls and persistent leaks.
Waterproofing inspections for wet areas and balconies.
Defect and dispute reports, providing an independent assessment from a registered builder. See Building Defect and Dispute Reports Perth.
Strata building reports and 10-year maintenance plans for strata managers and councils of owners. See Strata Building Reports Perth.
Dilapidation reports before and after nearby demolition or construction. See Dilapidation Reports Perth.
Owner-builder inspection reports for home indemnity insurance when selling within seven years. See Owner-Builder Inspection Reports.
Commercial building inspections for offices, shops and warehouses. See Commercial Building Inspections Perth.

A full list of services is available on the Services page, and buyers can find more detail on the Pre-Purchase Inspections page.

Inspection prices

A combined pre-purchase building and timber pest inspection starts from $550 including GST, depending on the location, size and type of the property. Building-only and timber pest-only inspections are quoted on request, based on the type, size and location of the property. To confirm the price for a specific property, call 1300 080 554 or email brian@inspectorwest.com.au with the address.

Why choose Inspector West

Registered builder expertise. Every inspection is carried out by a WA registered builder with more than 33 years of construction experience.
Detailed photographic reports. Reports are digital and include photographs of every finding, so they can be easily shared with agents, conveyancers and builders.
Prompt turnaround. Reports are usually delivered on the day of the inspection, which helps buyers working to finance and contract deadlines.
Clear, practical advice. Findings are explained plainly, along with their significance and recommended next steps. An optional phone consultation, which can include the buyer’s agent, and an optional 1, 3 or 5-year maintenance plan are also available.

Inspections are visual and limited to safely accessible areas, with reference to AS 4349.1 (building) and AS 4349.3 (timber pest).

Areas serviced across Perth

Northern suburbs

Joondalup, Wanneroo, Yanchep, Alkimos, Clarkson, Butler, Ocean Reef, Hillarys, Duncraig, Scarborough, Karrinyup, Stirling and surrounding suburbs.

Central Perth and inner suburbs

Perth, East Perth, West Perth, Subiaco, Leederville, Mount Lawley, Victoria Park, South Perth, Rivervale and surrounding suburbs.

Eastern suburbs and the hills

Midland, Ellenbrook, Bassendean, Belmont, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Forrestfield, Maddington, Gosnells, Armadale, Byford and surrounding areas.

Southern suburbs

Fremantle, Cockburn, Canning Vale, Willetton, Bibra Lake, Success, Kwinana, Wellard, Baldivis and Rockingham.

Peel region

Mandurah, Halls Head, Dawesville, Lakelands, Madora Bay and the wider Peel region.

Area-specific information is available on the Building & Timber Pest Inspections Rockingham, Building & Timber Pest Inspections Mandurah, Building & Timber Pest Inspections Pinjarra and Building & Timber Pest Inspections Bunbury pages. Sellers can see Seller Building Inspections Mandurah.

Book an inspection in Perth

Inspections can be booked online through Spectora, where available times are shown. To discuss an inspection first, call 1300 080 554 or 0409 280 488, or email brian@inspectorwest.com.au.

Perth building inspection FAQs

How much does a building and pest inspection cost in Perth?

Do you cover all of Perth?

Yes. Inspector West services the whole Perth metropolitan area, from Joondalup and Yanchep in the north to Mandurah in the south and out to the hills, as well as Rockingham and the Peel region.

How quickly will I receive the report?

Reports are usually delivered on the same day as the inspection. Each report is digital and includes photographs of every finding, so it can be shared with your agent, conveyancer or builder straight away.

Who carries out the inspection?

Every inspection is carried out by Brian Collins, a WA registered builder (BC13603 / BP13603) with more than 33 years of building experience. Brian writes every report personally.

Do I need a timber pest inspection as well as a building inspection?

A timber pest inspection is strongly recommended, because termites are a genuine risk across the Perth metropolitan area in both established and new homes. A building inspection does not assess timber pests in the same detail.

Do you inspect new homes before handover?

Yes. Independent construction stage inspections and practical completion inspections (PCI) are available for new homes across Perth. An inspection before handover provides a written list of defects to raise with your builder.

Book your inspection