Building and pest inspections: what they cover and what they don’t

A building and pest inspection is a licensed inspector’s assessment of a property’s visible condition and its exposure to timber pests. It is one of the most useful things a buyer can commission — and one of the most misunderstood, because people expect it to be a guarantee. It is not.

What a building inspection covers

The inspector examines the accessible parts of the structure: walls, floors, roofing, ceilings, subfloor and roof void where reachable, drainage, decks, fences and outbuildings. They report on visible defects — cracking, movement, moisture, rot, poor workmanship — and rate their significance.

What a pest inspection covers

The pest inspection looks for evidence of termites and other timber pests, active or previous, and for conditions that attract them: timber in contact with soil, moisture, poor ventilation, garden beds against walls. It will usually recommend management steps if it finds risk factors.

What is not covered

Every report has an exclusions section, and it deserves as much attention as the findings. Common exclusions include anything not accessible on the day (locked rooms, blocked roof voids, furniture against walls), plumbing and electrical systems, swimming pools and their compliance, appliances, and any estimate of repair costs. Those are separate specialist inspections if you want them.

The report also describes the property on the day of inspection. It is not a forecast.

Four questions to ask

1. Is the inspector licensed and insured for this type of inspection in this state?
2. Which areas were inaccessible, and can access be arranged for a second look?
3. What exactly is excluded from this report?
4. How does the report tie into the contract — is there an inspection condition, and what does it allow you to do?

The fourth question is for your solicitor or conveyancer, who will tell you what the contract permits if the report turns up something significant.

Where TNC Group fits

We do not carry out inspections and we do not give legal advice. Our job is to make sure the inspection is booked at the right point in the timeline, that the report is read properly — including page fourteen — and that the findings reach your solicitor before any condition date passes.

Next step

If you want due diligence coordinated rather than left to chance, book a free 15-minute call: https://leads.leads.tncgroup.com.au/widget/booking/VIiJOVAo7mhEsE3xLNrb

General information only — not legal advice. Inspection standards, licensing and contract conditions vary by state and territory. Speak to your solicitor or conveyancer and a licensed inspector.