Hero image

How Much Does a Building Inspection Cost?

$400 - $1,200

    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

    What Affects the Cost of Building Inspections?

    a contractor checking a building

    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.

    Building Inspection Pricing Based on Type

    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

     

    Building Inspection Costs Based on Size

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

    What Should Be Inspected on Your Property?

    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.

    Why You Need a Building Inspection

    An engineer inspecting a building

    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.

    Tips for Hiring Building Inspectors

    • 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

    FAQs

    What is a private certifier?

    Downward Chevron
    Private certifiers work independently from the council and are qualified to carry out inspections during the construction and sale of the property. They can approve plans for new building work and will check that it is satisfactory upon completion.

    How much does a private certifier cost?

    Downward Chevron
    The average cost of a private certifier can be between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the size and location of your home.

    Real Oneflare Customer Quotes

    Asim's Building Inspection Job

    Location PinMelbourne, VIC
    Type of house

    Single level house

    Amount of bedrooms

    4

    Age of the property

    10 years

    $550inc. gst

    Quoted by PADinspections - Building & Pest Inspections

    Albert's Building Inspection Job

    Location PinBrisbane, QLD
    Type of inspection

    Building and pest inspection

    Amount of bedrooms

    3

    Type of house

    Brick house

    $500inc. gst

    Quoted by Bpp Inspections Pty Ltd

    Jenny's Building Inspection Job

    Location PinAdelaide, SA
    Type of inspection

    Building inspection

    Age of home

    Built in 1964

    Rooms included in inspection

    4 x bedrooms, 2 x bathrooms, 2 x living areas and 2 x garages

    $395inc. gst

    Quoted by Leading Building & Pest Inspections Glenelg

    Related Building Inspector Cost Guides