Building and Pest Inspection Australia - The Ultimate Guide [Everything You Need To Know]

Your comments and anecdotes are very accurate and detailed. As an inspector my self I always suggest that my clients attend the inspection and in fact some clients as you pointed out insist on it. Sometimes of course, its not possible, for example, when buyers are interstate or overseas, or have to be at work, and I've also had vendors prevent it by telling the agent only an inspector can attend the inspection. While it can sometimes be distracting to have someone else (client) tag along, most often they investigate their own things and catch up confidentially at the end.

Thanks for this comprehensive guide! Really helped me understand the crucial aspects to consider during a building and pest inspection. Great content!

Great guide, Nathan

Building inspection for a unit

Great vid. A recent S32 stated the purchaser can break the contract if the report shows any defect on any structure on the land which is determined to be a major structural defect;. But who defines what is major?

In terms of using the building and pest inspection report as tool for negotiating a better price? Well, of course you can use any tool to negotiate a better price or a discount for remediation, whatever!! This is where a good inspector will be transparent about the issues discovered, not underestimate rectification costs nor over bake problems. It is often hard to know what the cost of defects might be (after all, you are not setting the scope or quality of work, nor quoting on any job), but the inspector should be candid about potential costs and problems that exist or could crop up further down the line. Ultimately, any contract should be based on 'quid pro quo' basis and as long as the parties agree on what is being offered for sale and what is being bought then its legitimate, which could mean that the vendor may not have to honor a disputed contract either. That is to say, if the contract doesn't meet the 'subject to conditions' (whatever they are) then its likely the contract can be terminated at that point by either party.

Great and comprehensive guide, quick question, should we do the building and pest inspection for a new home?

Great tip about scheduling an electrical inspection when a solar pv system is involved! But is it always possible-or even realistic-to schedule a building/pest inspection and electrical inspection at the same time?

Can I rely on an inspection report commissioned by the seller?

You actually said you would misrepresent what the building Spector said ( if no issues with property)on the basis’s to be able to renegotiate on something that actually was not a problem! Not really ethical or at least fair. If the inspection shows problems by all means renegotiate but not the other method please.