How Much Does a Building Inspection Cost?

In Australia, an independent building inspector costs $200 to $1,200 based on several factors. A pre-purchase building inspection costs $500 to $750 in regional areas and between $800 and $1,200 in metropolitan areas. Fortunately, combining the building and pest inspections can reduce your total expenses. Read on for further information.

City	Average Building Inspection Cost
Sydney	$300 – $750
Melbourne	$300 – $800
Brisbane	$350 – $750
Canberra	$400 – $750
Perth	$250 – $500
Darwin	$400 – $800
Hobart	$400 – $800
Adelaide	$375 – $800

 

State	Average Building Inspection Cost
NSW	$400 – $1,000
VIC	$400 – $1,000
QLD	$350 – $1,000
ACT	$400 – $1,000
WA	$250 – $1,000
NT	$400 – $1,000
TAS	$400 – $1,000
SA	$400 – $1,200

A new property inspection costs typically $350 to $500. However, several factors can increase the price of specialist inspections to $1,000 or more. They include:

Inspection Type

Specialized inspections range from $100 to $500 each. These usually cover chimneys, HVAC systems, foundations, and water and plumbing systems.

Property Size

A home’s size can impact the price to inspect it. The house inspection cost can range from $200 to $1,000.

Your Location

Inspecting properties in Australia’s outlying areas costs $500 to $750. Checking the same home in a metropolitan area can cost $800 to $1,200.

Structure Complexity

Inspecting a simple structure cost $350 to $500, for example, but examining a more complex structure can cost $600 to $1,000.

Inspection Detail

A home inspection’s level of detail can increase the inspection price from $200 to $400 to $600 to $1,000.

Inspection Type	Cost
Pre-purchase Inspection	$400 to $1,200
Structural Inspection	$500 to $800
Pest Inspection	$150 to $300
Electrical Installation	$200 to $600

 

Property	Building inspection Cost
1-bedroom Home	$150 to $250
3-bedroom Home	$250 to $500
4-bedroom Home	$500 to $1,000

Before buying or selling homes, they should be inspected. Renegotiating prices after building inspection reveals previously undisclosed problems.

The Building Interior

Element Inspected	Description
Ceilings	Must be structurally sound and free of termites or wet or weakened spots.
Walls	Must be sound, stable, and dry.
Timber Floors	Shouldn’t be rotted, weak, broken or termite-infested.
Concrete Floors	Should be level and have no cracked, damp, or mouldy areas.
Timber Windows	Must be sturdy and without rotted or warped areas.
Metal-framed Windows	Must be adequately fastened in place, have no rusting frameworks, and open and close easily.
Doors & Frames	Must be stable, properly aligned, and able to open easily and close tightly.
Kitchen	Kitchen counters and floors should be level and secure, with all electrical connections, taps and drains working properly.
Bathroom	Tubs, sinks and toilets must work well with no leaks or rust.
Laundry Room	Washer and dryer connections must be in place and functioning correctly.
Stairs	Should be solid and level, have handrails if necessary, and not bend, sway or sag when used.

The Building Exterior

Element Inspected	Description
Walls	Must be robust, reliable and adequately fastened to the foundation, floor, and roof.
Timber or Steel Frame Structures	Must be stable, properly squared with all weight-bearing posts straight, adequately supported and securely connected to the foundation, floors and roof.
Chimneys	Should be placed appropriately, made of fireproof materials, have proper clearance, and safely direct smoke outside the structure.
Balconies, Patios, and Decks	Must be level, safe, and securely attached to the structure.

The Roof Exterior

Element Inspected	Description
Roof	Must be fastened securely and made of durable materials.
Skylights	Must be installed appropriately, fastened and sealed with flashing to prevent leaks.
Valleys	Must direct precipitation off the roof and into the gutters.
Guttering	Must be placed appropriately and installed at the right pitch to create proper drainage.
Downpipes	Must be adequately attached to the gutters, secured to the structure and directing water away from the foundation.
Eaves, Fascias, & Barges	Must be made of the appropriate materials and adequately fastened to the roof.

The Roof Space

Element Inspected	Description
Roof Covering	Must be securely and adequately fastened and made from durable materials.
Roof Framing	Must be made of metal or wood and meet appropriate construction standards.
Sarking	Must be appropriately installed on roof trusses and battens and form a non-permeable, vapour barrier that enhances the roof system’s resale value.
Party Walls	Should have noncombustible material running from the ceiling to the floor — additional insulation for soundproofing is ideal.
Insulation	Must be enough to help keep cold air out in winter, cool air in during summer and help keep energy costs down.

The Sub-floor Space

This must be firmly attached to the joists below the flooring. It is commonly made of plywood sheeting or concrete to help add stability and keep floors healthy and level longer. 

Within 30 metres of the building:

This area is subject to inspection to ensure the foundation is solid and all underground water or gas lines are intact.

Element Inspected	Description
Car Accommodation	Garages and carports must be stable and safe to use.
Garden Shed	Must be inspected to verify their safety and stability.
Retaining Walls Higher than 700 mm	Must be solid enough not to fall and cause injury or property damage.
Fencing	Must be sturdy with no risk of falling.

A building and pest inspection (e.g., termite inspection) can save you money, assess fire hazards or structural issues, and help the ownership transfer go smoothly.

For prospective buyers:

A home inspection report enables informed decision-making since it provides an accurate assessment of the property’s condition. Problems that the home inspection report reveals can be used as a bargaining chip for negotiations and reduce the selling price.

For home sellers or real estate agents: 

Paying a small building inspection price can help ensure the home’s interior, exterior, and roof are all in good condition, which expedites the sale process.

• Do some research (practise due diligence)
• Contact local professional associations
• Find licensed building inspectors who offer other services
• Ask for references
• Bargain for a lower price

 

* The cost data is based on reports from Oneflare and third-party sources