Building and pest inspections are a crucial part of the property buying process and should never be set aside or forgotten.

But why, we hear you asking?

Read on to find out more.

Why are building and pest inspections important?

While not legally required as part of the buying process, building and pest inspections can save you - the buyer - both time and money.

They can also help you negotiate with the owner on a fair and reasonable price for your dream home - or give you the information you need to decide whether the house is even worth buying in the first place.

.... when this house looks fantastic

Even when you've done your due diligence and checked your dream house for mould and cracks, there are plenty of issues you may never have thought of that can appear in areas you may never have thought of.

If these issues and areas remain unchecked, you may be buying a home that at best, isn't worth the price you're paying for it and at worst, has serious problems that will cost you thousands of dollars in the long run to fix.

Or at the very worst, the house may not be worth buying at all.

Even new build homes can feature structural and pest problems so inspections are still important when buying such a property.

What can building and pest inspectors detect in a house?

A trained building and pest inspector will never judge a house by its cover.

Rather, they will check structural details inside and outside the roof as well as the building's foundations, wiring and plumbing plus outside areas including sheds, garages, decks and patios, and fences, and also fireplaces and air conditioners.

Some inspection companies also now use radar and thermal sensing and moisture technology to check inside walls and ceilings.

NB: roof exteriors may not always be able to be checked if the house is more than one storey high. However, inspectors will still do a visual check of the roof from the outside and will also check roof voids via interior manholes.

1. Termites

Falling garden fences or similarly damaged timber structures and areas throughout a house are most often caused by termites - public enemy number one when it comes to building and pest inspections.

Warmer locations will also be particularly susceptible to this pest with one article we read also noting that of the handful of termite species that are destructive, "these few species cause many millions of dollars of damage each year".

As well, termite behaviour is largely hidden and can often go undetected, causing even more damage - and higher repair costs.

2. Moisture and mould

Public enemy number two is moisture and mould and again, can be particularly damaging in warmer areas.

Bathrooms, kitchens and laundries are obviously key areas for leaking taps and other water defects but so can roofs including skylights, gutters and downpipes.

And with such moisture issues usually comes mould, especially around sinks and pipes, and with mould can come serious health issues.

3. Structural and foundation issues

Most houses experience some shifting and settling of their structures and foundations over time which results in hairline cracks and gaps.

However, large cracks and gaps can be indicative of more serious issues such as defective building and construction methods, particularly in areas known for poor soil or in flood zones (Brisbane, we're pointing to you for the latter!)

If a building and pest inspector discovers such is the case with your dream home, you should discuss the issue with a structural engineer and think carefully about your next steps with this home.

What should I expect to see in my building and pest report?

Firstly, expect the report to be very long - but don't be scared by its length.

Building and pest inspectors are trained professionals who will note down every single issue with a home from gaps to leaks to poor paintwork and missing flyscreens.

They will also include in-depth photos of such damage and of every room, as well as roof voids, cupboards and much more.

In other words, many of the issues an inspector detects are not serious.

But after receiving your report, note down the major defects detected in the report and then call your inspector to go through the report with him/her.

Make sure you discuss whether you're particularly concerned about fixing any and all issues ASAP - or vice versa - and it's OK to tell them you don't have many funds to spare.

Don't be afraid to tell them you're a first-home buyer either.

Building and pest inspectors may be able to give you a rough idea of how much it will cost to fix an issue or be able to recommend a tradesperson who can do so - and who can give you a price quote.

This is important when negotiating the sale price with the owner.

What if my building and pest report detects serious issues in a house?

Understandably, many buyers will walk away from a property if there are too many serious defects and faults in the building and pest report.

Yet although you may not necessarily have to wave your dream house goodbye, it's definitely worth calling experienced tradespeople for their advice and opinion, as well as quotes, when it comes to serious problems such as structural issues.

Call your inspector as many times as you need to as well and make the time to consider the report as well as your property priorities and your budget.

Remember: you're essentially spending your life savings on this house so you want it to be in the best condition possible and to buy it at a great price.

How much do building and pest inspections cost?

Plan for below $500 for a small apartment. around $400-$500 for a larger townhouse, and anywhere between $800 to $1,000 for an average family-sized home.

Building and pest inspections for properties in rural and regional areas may cost more.

If you're wincing at the thought of these costs - don't.

Firstly, you may well get back these costs in post-report negotiations with the property owner and secondly, these inspections are crucial to the buying process.

How do I choose a good building and pest inspector?

As with conveyancers and lenders, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family are a fantastic source of help when choosing a building and pest inspector.

Alternatively, ask your conveyancer for their advice or if you have a tradie friend, ask them.

But it's important to do your due diligence well before you pay down the cash for an inspector as once they arrive at the property, it's too late to change your mind.

Also, the inspection will usually take place in the cooling-off period of your sales contract which won't give you much time to investigate.

So, ask inspectors plenty of questions well before you book their inspection:

1. What areas of a property do they check during the inspection?

2. What tools and similar do they use for the inspection?

3. Can I arrange an inspection at short notice?

3. How long will the inspection take?

4. How long after the inspection will it take to receive the report?

Feel free to turn up at the property on inspection day and watch the inspector in action - but it's a nice idea to tell them beforehand that you'll be there on the day.

This is also a good time to point out any serious issues you're already concerned about, and while you're at it, ask if the inspector offers a discount if you pay with cash on the spot.

Should I negotiate with a property owner after receiving a building and pest report?

Yes!

This is one of the big reasons why building and pest reports are important.

Ensure you have at least one quote in your hand to offer the owner as an example of repair costs, just in case they ask.

If the property has several significant issues, push this point further with the owner.

Remember: even $1,000 off the original sale price could make all the difference when buying your dream house.

We’re here to help

We're always happy to help with all the dramas and stressors of house buying and selling. That’s why we’ve brought everything you need to buy and sell property together under the one roof.

If you're particularly tired of house-hunting, we've even partnered with buyer advocates who can check out homes for you and organise sales assessments and negotiations through our Buyer Assist service.

Listing Loop is a marketplace for off-market and pre-market properties for sale but we’re also an end-to-end property transaction platform helping to remove friction out of the buying, financing and selling processes.

Sign up to become a member today for FREE and take advantage of our exclusive member property services.