Should you trust a seller's building and pest inspection report?

Building Inspection Perth

Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. So it makes sense to ensure the property you want to buy is structurally sound and free from pest infestation before signing on the dotted line. 

Unfortunately, in Western Australia, a pre-purchase building and pest inspection are not mandatory. Some sellers do provide them but there is no legal requirement to do so. It is therefore in the buyer's interest to ensure a proper building and pest inspection is carried out by a reputable provider before making an offer. 

Why you should carry out a building & pest inspection 

Termites are a major problem in Australia, with CSIRO estimating that 32% of homes are infested with termites and that 2 out of 3 homes will suffer termite infestation at some point in the next 25 years. With the average cost of remediation being around $7900, it is important to ensure your property is infestation free in order to avoid unnecessary bills. 

Structural issues can also present a major problem in both new and old homes. Water damage, leaking pipes and tree roots can all cause major structural damage which is not immediately obvious to the naked eye. The cost of fixing such damage can run into tens of thousands of dollars and reduce the value of the property by as much as 25%.

So if the seller is providing a building inspection report, at the very least you should ensure it is from a reputable and respected provider. If you are not sure of the validity of the report, it is wise to invest a few hundred dollars to have your own inspection carried out. This could save you a small fortune in the long run and give you peace of mind the property you are buying is structurally sound. 

You may be able to negotiate a better price

Peace of mind is not the only advantage to commissioning your own report. Should the report show up mild termite infestation or structural damage you can use it as leverage to negotiate a better price. Minor damage or infestation can be fixed relatively cheaply and should not put you off making an offer for the property. 

Any good building report should tell you exactly where the problem lies and how serious it is. This will make it relatively simple for you to get a quote for remediation. In some cases, the existing owner may offer to resolve the problem for you. Either way, being armed with the information upfront will save you money in the long run.

Why choose APBI for your building and pest inspection report?

APBI provides building and pest inspection Perth homeowners can trust. Our inspectors are qualified to carry out non-invasive visual inspections of homes to identify structural defects and pest infestation. 

The final report will be completed in accordance with Australian Standards AS4349. 1-2007 and AS 4349.3. And all APBI inspectors are covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance. This gives you peace of mind that the report is accurate and that you are covered should problems arise in the future. 

If you would like more information about our building and pest inspection service, or would like to arrange an inspection, give us a call on 1300 657 546 or complete our booking form.