Pre-Purchase Building & Timber Pest Inspections Perth
A pre-purchase inspection provides an independent assessment of a property’s condition before the contract becomes unconditional, so buyers can proceed, negotiate or reconsider with a clear understanding of what they are buying.
Inspector West carries out pre-purchase building and timber pest inspections across the whole Perth metropolitan area, as well as Rockingham, Mandurah and the Peel region. Every inspection is carried out by Brian Collins, a WA registered builder (BC13603 / BP13603) with more than 33 years of building experience, and every report is written by him.
What the building inspection covers
The pre-purchase building inspection is carried out with reference to Australian Standard AS 4349.1 and assesses the visible condition of the property at the time of inspection. Areas inspected include:
- Exterior: walls, cladding, windows and doors, eaves, fascias, gutters and downpipes.
- Roof exterior: roof coverings, flashings, ridge capping and roof plumbing, where safe access is available.
- Roof void: framing, sarking and insulation, where safely accessible.
- Interior: ceilings, walls, floors, doors, windows and joinery, with attention to cracking, movement and moisture.
- Wet areas: bathrooms, ensuites, laundries and kitchens, including visible signs of leaks or failed waterproofing.
- Site: fences, retaining walls, paving, site drainage and outbuildings such as garages, patios and sheds.
Each finding is explained along with its significance and the recommended next step, so buyers can distinguish major defects and safety issues from minor defects and routine maintenance. Inspections are visual and limited to areas that can be safely accessed.
Cracking in brick walls is a common finding, and its likely causes and significance are explained in Are Cracks in Brickwork a Problem?
Timber pest inspection
Termites are a genuine risk across Perth and the Peel region, in both established homes and newer estates. The timber pest inspection is carried out with reference to AS 4349.3 and examines the accessible areas of the building and grounds for termite activity and damage, borers and fungal decay. It also identifies conducive conditions, such as excess moisture, timber in contact with the ground, and bridged or obstructed termite barriers.
A building inspection does not assess timber pests in the same detail, which is why the combined building and timber pest inspection is recommended. Both inspections are completed in a single visit.
The common warning signs of termite activity are outlined in Signs of Termites in Perth Homes.
The inspection report
Inspector West reports are digital and include photographs of every finding, so each issue can be clearly seen and easily shared with agents, conveyancers and builders. Reports are usually delivered on the same day as the inspection, which helps buyers working to finance and building-inspection deadlines in the contract.
An overview of what a WA building inspection covers, what it excludes and how defects are rated is available in What Does a Building Inspection Include in WA?
Phone consultation and maintenance plan
Optional phone consultation
After the report is delivered, buyers can arrange an optional phone consultation with Brian to go through the findings in detail. The buyer’s agent can be included in the call, which is useful when findings may form part of a price negotiation or a request for repairs.
Optional maintenance plan
The report can be upgraded with an optional 1, 3 or 5-year maintenance plan, giving new owners a structured guide to the upkeep of the property after settlement.
Inspection prices
A combined pre-purchase building and timber pest inspection is priced from $550 including GST, depending on location. 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.
Areas serviced across Perth and Peel
Inspector West is based in Madora Bay and services the whole Perth metropolitan area, from Joondalup to Mandurah and out to the hills, together with Rockingham, Mandurah and the Peel region.
- Northern suburbs: Joondalup, Wanneroo, Yanchep and surrounding suburbs.
- Central Perth: Perth, East Perth and the surrounding inner suburbs.
- Eastern suburbs and hills: Midland, Kalamunda, Mundaring and surrounding areas.
- Southern suburbs: Fremantle, Cockburn, Kwinana, Rockingham and Baldivis.
- Peel region: Mandurah, Halls Head, Dawesville and the wider Peel region.
Buyers in the southern corridor can find area-specific information on the Building & Timber Pest Inspections Rockingham and Building & Timber Pest Inspections Mandurah pages. Regional buyers can see Building & Timber Pest Inspections Pinjarra and Building & Timber Pest Inspections Bunbury.
About Brian Collins
Inspector West is operated by Brian Francis Collins, a WA registered builder (BC13603) and registered building practitioner (BP13603). Brian has held his registration since 2011 and has more than 33 years of building experience. Inspector West is based at Madora Bay, WA (ABN 71 563 874 273).
Other inspection services
- Pre-sale inspections for sellers. See Seller Building Inspections Mandurah.
- Construction stage inspections and practical completion inspections (PCI) for new homes.
- Maintenance and defect inspections.
- Moisture and roof-leak investigations.
- Waterproofing inspections.
- Building Health Checks for landlords and property managers, quoted on request, based on the number and type of properties.
- Buying a unit, villa or townhouse? Strata companies can arrange common property condition reports and 10-year maintenance plans. See Strata Building Reports and 10-Year Maintenance Plans.
- Buying a home an owner-builder built in the last seven years? The seller generally needs home indemnity insurance before a sale contract is signed. See Owner-Builder Inspection Reports.
- Buying a shop, office or warehouse? See Commercial Building Inspections.
A full list is available on the Services page.
How to book
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.
Pre-purchase inspection FAQs
How much does a pre-purchase building and pest inspection cost in Perth?
A combined pre-purchase building and timber pest inspection is priced from $550 including GST, depending on location. Building-only and timber pest-only inspections are quoted on request, based on the type, size and location of the property.
When is the inspection report delivered?
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.
What does a pre-purchase building inspection include?
It is a visual assessment of the safely accessible areas of the property, including the exterior, roof, roof void, interior, wet areas and site, carried out with reference to AS 4349.1. It identifies defects and safety issues visible at the time of inspection and explains the significance of each finding.
Is a timber pest inspection needed as well as a building inspection?
It is strongly recommended. Termites are a genuine risk across Perth and the Peel region, and a building inspection does not assess timber pests in the same detail. A timber pest inspection checks for termites, borers, fungal decay and the conditions that attract them.
Can a buyer’s agent be involved in going through the report?
Yes. An optional phone consultation is available to go through the report in detail, and the buyer’s agent can be included in the call.
Which areas does Inspector West service?
Inspector West is based in Madora Bay and services the whole Perth metropolitan area, from Joondalup to Mandurah and out to the hills, together with Rockingham, Mandurah and the Peel region.