Are you about to purchase a property? Before you sign the dotted line, it's imperative that you get a professional pre-purchase building and pest inspection by an experienced and licensed building inspector.
iCertified will provide you with a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and written report so you can make an informed decision on your property purchase.
Buying a house is probably the largest investment you will make in your lifetime, so it makes sense to ensure the house is in good condition without any hidden surprises (that could cost you a fortune) before you part with your money. A building and pest inspection will do just that, providing you with some peace of mind that you're making the right decision.
Our qualified building inspectors will thoroughly check the property for any significant damage, including both minor and major defects, structural issues, mould and termite damage and provide you with an easy to read report of our findings within 24 hours of your inspection.
This report will inform you of any future issues you might potentially be facing with the property and whether action needs to be taken.
Contact us today to arrange a building and pest inspection on 1300 899 078, or book online.
Building Inspections
If you're looking to buy or sell a property, it's important to get a building inspection to understand the true condition of the property. A building inspection report will provide you with detailed information about the building and any areas of concern. While our inspectors can't tell you to go ahead or walk away, our unbiased findings will fully inform you of the property's issues and the likelihood of these issues becoming problematic (and costly) in the future. Similarly, a building inspection may assist with negotiating a more competitive price if you can take into account any costly repairs you may need to carry out.
Learn more about why it's important to get a building and pest inspection.
Similarly, a pre-sale inspection can help you sell your property quickly by identifying issues that would keep a prospective buyer from being interested, giving you the opportunity to correct any issues before putting the property up on the market.
What is included in a building inspection?
A building inspection attempts to identify any obvious or significant building defects that are apparent at the time of the inspection. The report is limited to those areas and sections of the property that are fully accessible and visible to the inspector.
There are many factors that influence whether a defect is considered to be significant, including the age of the property and the type of building being inspected.
It's common to find evidence of structural damage or lack of structural integrity, which can arise from various issues including water leaks, termite damage, or poor or incomplete construction or renovation work. This is in addition to mould issues, roofing problems, lack of proper drainage and ventilation issues.
Minor defects are quite common to most properties and not necessarily included in your report, however if the property being inspected was poorly maintained, then there may be a larger number of minor defects than a reasonably maintained property would have. In this case, if you as the purchaser would need to allocate considerable resources to fix up the property, then your report will include a general assessment of the presence of minor defects as well.
Learn the difference between minor and major defects here.
Our licenced inspectors will check the following areas during your inspection:
- Roof exterior
- Roof space
- Non-structural retaining walls
- Steps, pathways, driveways
- Fencing
- Internal and external walls
- Separate dwellings such as the garage, carport or small shed
What is not included in a building inspection?
Our inspectors will check everything that is visible and fully accessible on the day of the inspection. We are not able to inspect any areas that are concealed or obstructed, including between floors, under floor coverings or inside wall cavities. To properly check any inaccessible areas of the property, a special purpose report would be required.
A swimming pool inspection is not included, which means in order to obtain a Pool Safety Certificate (in QLD) or a Pool Compliance Certificate (in NSW), you will need to arrange for a separate inspection.
Similarly, while it may be apparent due to the age of the property that asbestos is an issue, your building inspection will not allow for an asbestos audit. This needs to be obtained separately and will involve sending samples of materials found for testing, and appropriate plans for the management of asbestos.
We also are not able to comment on things like plumbing work, electrical installation and electrical wiring, gas fittings, common properties areas (such as shared areas within a complex or apartment building), defects that may be subject to prevailing weather conditions, swimming pools and spas, environmental concerns or security or neighbourhood concerns. Some of these points will require a specialist inspection service such as a special purpose property report.
Can we be there for the inspection?
We highly recommend you attend the inspection alongside the inspector so you can see any issues found and have them explained to you on the day.
Pest Inspections
White ants, termites and other infestations can do considerable and costly damage to your home, often requiring extensive repairs, treatments, and sometimes even condemning the property.
Our comprehensive timber pest inspections will detect and inform you of any damage done to your building by pests, such as termites. We will check the roof void, sub floor, exterior and interior of the property, as well as any landscape timbers, grounds, fences and garage that is within 30m of the building and within the property boundaries, for evidence of destructive pests or signs of potential termite attack, and advise on the appropriate treatments to protect the property from infestation.
Unless an invasive physical inspection is needed/required, we cannot inspect inaccessible areas, such as within cavity walls, concealed frame timbers, eaves, flat roofs, full enclosed patio subfloors, soil concealed by concrete floors, wall linings, landscaping, rubbish, floor coverings, furniture, pictures, appliances, stored items, insulation and so forth.
What does the pest inspection report include?
Following your pest and termite inspection, you will receive a comprehensive report outlining the findings. Your report will detail whether or not:
- Active subterranean termites were found
- Visual evidence of subterranean termite workings or damage was found
- Visible evidence of borers of seasoned timbers was found
- Evidence of damage caused by wood decay (rot) fungi was found
- Evidence of conditions conducive to timber pest infestation (e.g. water leaks, poor drainage, lack of ventilation in sub-floor regions, or large trees in close proximity to the property are a few examples).
- Further inspections are needed (such as, areas where reasonable access is unavailable, obstructed or restricted, or if a high risk of possible timber pests and or damage exists)
- Any major safety hazards were identified
- The susceptibility of the property to timber pests is considered to be high.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a building and pest inspection take?
A building and pest inspection takes approximately 1 hour to complete depending on the size of the property.
Can I be present during the inspection?
Yes, this is recommended so that any issues or problems with the property can be discussed with you then and there.
How much does a building and pest inspection cost?
Our building and pest inspection prices vary depending on the property size and location, though for an approximate cost you’re looking at around $500.00 incl. GST. For a more accurate quote please get in touch.
Who organises/pays for the building and pest inspection? The buyer or seller?
Generally the buyer will arrange the building and pest, however, we also carry out pre sale inspections for home owners wanting to ensure there are no surprises or major issues with their properties.
When do you usually get a building and pest inspection? Before or after making an offer on a property?
Typically the inspection occurs after the contract of sale is signed, however, if a property is going to Auction, the inspection is done before.
When will I receive my report?
We endeavour to provide you with a detailed report within 24 hours.
What equipment does the inspector use?
In order to conduct a thorough inspection of the property, our inspectors will use tools such as laser levels, moisture meters, microwave radars and infrared cameras. This equipment can help the inspector detect any termite activity, leaks, uneven floors and other potential defects.
I have questions about my report, who do I speak to?
It’s best to speak with one of our experienced inspectors regarding the findings in your report, though our admin staff are also on hand to answer your queries. Please call us on 1300 899 078.
What areas do you service?
We provide building and pest inspections throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Northern NSW. To arrange an inspection, book online with iCertified today!
Book an inspection today
iCertified has licensed building and pest inspectors that operate throughout South East Queensland and Northern NSW, including in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast. Our qualified inspectors have many years of experience in the building industry and are known for their prompt and efficient service when carrying out your comprehensive inspection, with detailed reports provided within 24 hours.
We know that choosing to buy a property is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and we pride ourselves on our ability to help prospective buyers make informed buying decisions with confidence knowing the property has been thoroughly inspected by a professional.
Contact us today to arrange a building and pest inspection on 1300 899 078, or book online.
Page last updated: 01-12-2022