Building & Pest Inspections Melbourne

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At Leading Building Inspections, we deliver trusted Building & Pest Inspection services in Melbourne, helping buyers, homeowners, and investors make confident property decisions. Our experienced inspectors conduct thorough assessments to identify structural defects, safety issues, and pest activity that could impact the value or condition of your property.

Each inspection comes with a clear, detailed report, highlighting major and minor concerns so you know exactly what you’re buying—before you commit. With same-day inspection appointments available and reports emailed within 24 hours, getting peace of mind has never been easier.

Book your Melbourne Building & Pest Inspection today and move forward with confidence.

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BUILDING REPORT BEFORE YOU BUY BEFORE YOU BID

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. In much the same way you would have a mechanic inspect a vehicle before purchasing it, it is therefore wise to hire an independent building inspector for a pre-purchase inspection. Whether, for example, you’re buying a family home or alternatively an investment property, a building inspection ultimately ensures you make a fully informed decision.

For this reason, don’t leave such a crucial aspect of property buying to chance. Instead, trust your local Leading Building Inspector to thoroughly examine the property and, in turn, provide a detailed inspection report. As a result, you can proceed with confidence and, thereafter, move on to the next steps without unnecessary delay.

The Building and Pest Inspection Process: What's Involved?

The building inspection process begins with an inspector arriving at the property to perform a comprehensive examination of all accessible areas. The inspector’s objective is to identify any underlying issues or damage. Generally, the inspection will cover the following areas:

In most cases, a detailed Building Inspection or Property Report is provided to you by the end of the day. It’s important to note that the pre-purchase report is comprehensive but not exhaustive, covering key aspects of the property. It does not serve as a warranty against future building defects.

Why Get A Building and Pest Inspection?

Licensed building inspector conducting a pre-purchase inspection

The primary purpose of a building inspection is to alert you to any significant damage, such as structural issues or major defects, which, in turn, could impact the overall integrity of the property. Therefore, this inspection should always be conducted by a professional. In particular, a qualified building inspector possesses the expertise to identify common defects and faults, and moreover, can provide guidance on their potential implications for the property and future repairs.

However, it is equally crucial to seek additional advice from relevant professionals, such as electricians, engineers, plumbers, or carpenters, in order to further evaluate the severity of any defects and, consequently, estimate repair costs. Moreover, in more severe cases, underlying issues could potentially require a substantial financial investment from the property buyer to rectify, thereby emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation before proceeding with the purchase.

Attending The Inspection

Professional licensed building inspector performing a detailed pre-purchase property inspection

We recommend that you are present towards the end of the inspection so that your inspector can point out any areas of concern and answer any questions you may have. In conjunction with a standard building inspection we generally recommend carrying out a timber pest inspection (Termites) on the property as well. These often go hand in hand to ensure the property is safe from existing termite pest damage or infestation.

Furthermore, our experienced inspectors are fully licensed to perform pre-purchase pest inspections, and in addition, they use the latest equipment, including thermal imaging technology and moisture meters, thereby accurately detecting the presence of termites.

Moreover, you can ask us about arranging a combined building and pest inspection pest inspection, which not only provides comprehensive protection for your property but also allows you to save on the total inspection cost. As a result, this option offers both efficiency and value for your investment.

Pre-purchase or Pre-Auction Report

A Pre-purchase Building Inspection Report (or Pre-Auction Building Report prior to auction) is a comprehensive document that not only addresses structural defects or damage but also, importantly, highlights conditions conducive to structural issues. In addition, it identifies any defects in secondary and finishing elements of the property, thereby providing a complete overview of the property’s condition before you proceed with a purchase or auction.

In addition, the building and pest inspection report will also identify any areas that the inspector was unable to access during the inspection. Moreover, photographs and videos may be included, thereby highlighting defects or areas of concern observed by the inspector. For instance, you can view our gallery from previous inspections, which allows you to see real examples of our findings and better understand potential issues.

Furthermore, the Building Inspection Report includes a detailed description of the property as well as the materials used in its construction, specifically in accordance with Australian Standards AS 4349.1. Typically, this inspection is conducted prior to purchasing a property, and therefore, it is recommended to be included as a condition of your contract. By doing so, you can ensure that you are satisfied with the inspection results, which, in turn, can sometimes influence the overall purchase price of the property.

If you are thinking about buying a property, then don’t miss our blog on pre-purchase building inspections. Moreover, it provides expert insights, which in turn will help you understand potential issues and, ultimately, enable you to make a confident and well-informed decision. In addition, by reading our blog, you can gain valuable tips before proceeding with any property purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a building report already completed?

Visit our store as the property may already have a completed building & pest report!

If you’re interested in a property, and furthermore, are looking to make an offer or prepare for an auction, then we offer comprehensive building inspection reports. In fact, in some cases, we may already have conducted a building and pest report available for purchase, which, in turn, provides detailed insights into the condition of the home. As a result, and consequently, you can use this information not only to better understand the property but also to confidently make informed decisions before ultimately proceeding further.

COMPLETED REPORTS

What Building and Pest Inspection in Melbourne services do you provide?
What is a major defect/Safety Hazard?

 

MAJOR DEFECT/SAFETY HAZARD:

In general, defects refer to any damage or deviation in the primary components of a building that, if left unaddressed, could render the structure unusable. In other words, such defects are severe enough to potentially cause the destruction or collapse of all or part of the building.

Specifically, major components of a building are essentially any load-bearing elements, including, but not limited to:

  • Foundations
  • Footings
  • Floors – Purlins/Joists
  • Walls
  • Beams
  • Joints
  • Rafters – Under purlins
  • Columns
  • Roof Trusses
  • Fire Safety Systems
  • Waterproofing
 

Common examples of major defects include cracks and damage to the foundation, floors, slabs, and walls.

What is a structural defect?

What is a structural defect?

A structural defect is any fault or deviation from the intended structural performance of a building, which, in turn, can be classified as either major or minor.

For example, common structural issues include:

  • Exposed gaps between the walls

  • Walls and ceiling cracks

  • Uneven floors

  • Warped ceilings

  • Crumbling concrete

Furthermore, you can read more about how to identify both minor and major structural defects in order to better understand the condition of your property and make informed decisions.

Are uneven floors a serious issue?

In some cases, an uneven floor can vary in severity and, therefore, does not always require immediate action. However, at the same time, it may also result from underlying issues, such as cracked floor joists, termite damage, or insufficient subfloors. As a result, identifying the root cause is essential.

For this reason, and to ensure proper assessment, we recommend consulting a professional contractor or structural engineer, so that, in turn, you can receive expert advice on how best to accurately evaluate and effectively resolve the issue.

Do I still need a building and pest inspection for a brand new property?

Do I still need a building and pest inspection for a brand new property?

The short answer is yes! Nevertheless, many potential buyers mistakenly believe that a newly built property, even if it has passed the required staged inspections by a certifier, must be flawless. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case—because council inspectors and building certifiers primarily ensure building code compliance, and as a result, they do not assess the quality of materials or workmanship.

For this reason, it is crucial for property buyers to hire an independent inspector. In particular, an independent inspector will thoroughly check a new property for quality of workmanship and materials, ensure that construction meets acceptable standards, and moreover, identify any defects that could otherwise be overlooked.

To illustrate this, view some of the common issues found in newly constructed homes, thereby understanding why a pre-purchase inspection is essential.

What are some of the most common problems found during an inspection?

What are some of the most common problems found during an inspection?

If you’re interested in a property, and moreover, are looking to make an offer or prepare for an auction, we offer comprehensive building inspection reports. In fact, we may already have conducted a building and pest report available for purchase, which, in turn, provides detailed insights into the condition of the home. As a result, you can use this information to confidently make informed decisions before proceeding further, thereby reducing potential risks associated with your purchase.

How much does a building and pest inspection cost?

How much does a building and pest inspection cost?

The cost of a building inspection depends on both the size of the property and the type of property being inspected. For example, a large acreage home will attract a different price compared to an apartment, townhouse, or a Queenslander-style home on stilts.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to obtain additional inspection services, such as a pest inspection or dilapidation report, then naturally, you should expect extra costs.

However, we offer competitive prices for our inspection services. In addition, any client opting for a combined building and pest inspection can save on the total cost, thereby receiving more value for their investment.

Finally, for more details, you can view additional information about our inspection costs here, which will help you plan accordingly.

When do you get a building and pest inspection?

When do you get a Building and Pest Inspection?

Ideally, you should arrange a building inspection before entering into a contract of sale. By doing so, you can gather all the facts about the property’s condition prior to making an offer. However, in today’s fast-moving market, this can sometimes be challenging.

Consequently, it has become common for buyers to schedule a building inspection as soon as their initial offer is accepted and they enter into a contract. In such cases, it is crucial to include a clause in your contract stating that the sale is “subject to building and pest inspection.” This way, if a significant structural issue or costly problem is discovered, you can still withdraw from the sale. Moreover, a solicitor or conveyancer can help you word this clause correctly.

Depending on the agreement between the parties, the building and pest inspection should ideally be conducted within 2 to 5 days of the offer being accepted. In addition, if you are buying at auction, you should arrange for a building and pest inspection before the auction day. Otherwise, if you are the successful bidder, your purchase is likely to be unconditional.

Who pays for the building and pest inspection?

Who pays for the building and pest inspection?

We often receive questions about whether it is the buyer’s or seller’s responsibility to arrange and pay for the building inspection.

In general, it is the buyer’s responsibility to organize and cover the cost of a building and pest inspection for any property they are considering. As such, this step is a crucial part of the due diligence process before moving forward with the purchase.

However, there is a growing trend of pre-sale property inspections, where, in contrast, sellers choose to identify potential issues with their property prior to listing it on the market, thereby avoiding unexpected surprises. In such cases, the seller would bear the inspection cost, which can also provide buyers with added confidence when considering the property.

What areas do you service?

As one of the largest providers in Australia, the Leading Building Inspector Network offers a full range of professional building and pest inspection services. In addition, these services are available across the following locations, thereby ensuring comprehensive coverage and convenience for our clients. Furthermore, our extensive network allows us to provide consistent quality and reliable service no matter where you are.

Queensland

  • Brisbane
  • North Lakes

New South Wales

  • Sydney
  • Blacktown 
  • Central Coast
  • Taree

South Australia

  • Adelaide

  • Riverland
  • Murray Bridge
  • Gawler
  • Fleurieu Peninsula

Victoria

  • Melbourne
  • Shepparton

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Same Day or FREE

A property purchase is time-sensitive, so we strive to schedule your inspection for the next day after you call. Furthermore, our inspectors aim to deliver your report within the same day of completing the inspection.

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Award Winning Reports

Our advanced reporting software makes it simple to read and navigate reports, featuring high-quality photos and videos. This ensures you receive clear, detailed information about your property inspection. Experience the ease and clarity of our innovative reporting system.

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Advanced Technology

If we identify an area of concern, our inspectors employ laser levels along with thermal and moisture devices for a comprehensive investigation. This ensures that no potential issue goes unnoticed, providing you with detailed and accurate information.

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