What does the building component of a combined inspection cover?

The building inspection to AS 4349.1 covers the structural condition of the property: roof structure and covering, wall framing, subfloor structure, drainage, rising damp, safety hazards (balustrades, stairs, electrical safety switches), and all accessible internal and external surfaces. It identifies defects rated as major defects (structural significance requiring prompt repair) and minor defects (maintenance items). It does not cover pest activity, which is in the pest component.

Does a combined inspection cover the roof void and subfloor?

Yes, where accessible. Both the building and pest components include roof void and subfloor inspection where access is available. The roof void is typically accessible through a manhole in the ceiling. Subfloor access requires a trapdoor or opening with minimum 400mm clearance. Areas that are inaccessible are noted as limitations in both reports. Subfloor inspection is particularly important for the pest component as the subfloor is one of the primary termite entry points in Brisbane homes.

Does home insurance require a building and pest inspection report?

Home insurance does not require a pre-purchase inspection report, but the inspection findings affect what can be covered. Pre-existing structural defects identified in a building inspection report are typically excluded from building insurance claims. A lender financing a purchase may require the reports as a condition of loan approval. The Queensland Law Society standard contract for residential property includes conditions for building and pest inspections as standard buyer protections.

AS 4349.1 + AS 4349.3 · Single Visit · 24hr Reports

Building & Pest Inspection Brisbane

Q: How much does a combined building and pest inspection cost in Brisbane?

A combined building and pest inspection costs $480-$580 for a standard 3-4 bedroom Brisbane suburban house. Larger properties cost $580-$680. This compares to booking a separate building inspector ($350-$500) and a separate pest inspector ($280-$420) for a combined cost of $630-$920. The combined inspection uses a dual-qualified inspector attending in one visit, which reduces both cost and the number of access appointments needed.

Q: Is a combined inspection done by one inspector or two?

A combined building and pest inspection can be conducted by a single dual-licensed inspector (holding both building inspection and pest management licences), or by two inspectors attending simultaneously. A single dual-licensed inspector is the most efficient and cost-effective option for standard residential properties. Two inspectors attending together are occasionally used for very large properties or complex commercial inspections where the total inspection time would be excessive for a single person.

Q: Are the building and pest reports delivered separately or together?

The reports are typically delivered as separate documents within the same 24-hour delivery, one for the building inspection to AS 4349.1 and one for the pest inspection to AS 4349.3. This is required because lenders and conveyancers need to match each report against its relevant Australian Standard. Some inspectors provide a combined single-document report, but the two inspection components must still be identifiable within it for lender purposes.

Structural condition and timber pest assessment in one visit. AS 4349.1 building report plus AS 4349.3 pest report, both delivered within 24 hours. Accepted by all major banks and lenders. From $480 combined versus $630-$920 booked separately.

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At a Glance

Combined (3-4 bed house)$480-$580

Large property$580-$680

Separate inspections cost$630-$920

Report deliveryWithin 24 hours

StandardsAS 4349.1 + AS 4349.3

What Each Component Covers

Building Component vs Pest Component: Scope of Each

A combined inspection produces two separate reports under two different Australian Standards. The building and pest components cover different aspects of the property and neither substitutes for the other.

Building Inspection

Australian Standard AS 4349.1

Roof structure: rafters, battens, ridge beam, trusses

Roof covering: tiles, corrugated iron, flashings, gutters

Wall structure: cracking, movement, rising damp, moisture

Subfloor structure: bearers, joists, footings, drainage

Safety: balustrades, stairs, smoke alarms, safety switches

Drainage: stormwater, site drainage, ponding evidence

Defects rated: major (structural) vs minor (maintenance)

Pest Inspection

Australian Standard AS 4349.3

Termite activity: live workings, damage, previous activity

Wood-boring beetles: exit holes, frass, active vs historical

Wood decay fungi: location, cause, structural significance

Termite barrier: existing or absent, condition, gaps

Conducive conditions: moisture, soil contact, mulch, ventilation

Thermal imaging and moisture meter assessment

Risk rating and treatment recommendations

Combined vs separate: the cost difference

Building separate

$350-$500

Second access appointment. Separate report and invoice.

Pest separate

$280-$420

Third access appointment if building and pest are booked independently.

Combined (single visit)
$480-$680
One appointment. Two reports. $150-$240 saving vs separate bookings.

Why a Single Visit Matters

Why One Inspection Visit Is Better Than Two

Coordinating two separate inspectors with two separate access appointments adds complexity to an already time-pressured purchase process. Most Brisbane property contracts allow 7-14 days for building and pest inspections. A single combined visit removes scheduling friction.

Single access appointment with the selling agent

One call to the agent secures one appointment slot. Coordinating two inspectors separately means two calls, two negotiated access times, and two potential scheduling conflicts with other buyers inspecting the same property.

Coordinated findings in related reports

When a single dual-qualified inspector conducts both components, structural and pest findings can cross-reference each other in the reports. For example, moisture damage identified in the building report and termite conducive conditions from moisture identified in the pest report can both point to the same subfloor drainage issue, giving a more complete picture of the cause.

Faster report delivery for contract negotiations

Both reports are delivered from the same inspection visit within 24 hours. When two separate inspectors attend on different days, the buyer may receive the building report on day three and the pest report on day five, reducing the time available for contract negotiation within the inspection period.

Single invoice and simpler documentation

One combined invoice is easier for the buyer's solicitor and accountant to process. Lenders requiring both reports receive them together from a single engagement rather than as separate documents from separate operators.

Reports and Delivery

Report Format, Delivery, and Bank Acceptance

Both reports are prepared under their respective Australian Standards and are formatted for lender and conveyancer submission. Delivery within 24 hours of inspection is standard.

Building report

AS 4349.1 compliant

Covers the property's structural condition. Defects categorised as major defects (requiring prompt action), minor defects (maintenance), and safety hazards. The report includes photographs of each defect, location descriptions, and recommended action ratings. Delivered as a PDF within 24 hours.

Pest report

AS 4349.3 compliant

Covers termites, wood borers, wood decay fungi, and conducive conditions. Findings photographed and mapped to a property diagram. Risk rating and treatment recommendations where issues are found. Inspector's licence number on the report as required for bank acceptance. Delivered as a PDF within 24 hours.

Bank acceptance

Accepted by all major lenders

Both reports are accepted by all major Australian banks and lenders. For bank purposes, the pest report must be dated within the lender's required inspection window (typically 90 days of settlement) and reference the AS 4349.3 standard with the inspector's licence number. Our reports comply with all standard lender requirements.

Contract period use

Supports contract negotiations

Under the Queensland standard REIQ contract, the buyer has a right to terminate or negotiate based on the results of building and pest inspections during the inspection period. Reports from a combined inspection are available for solicitor review within 24 hours, supporting timely exercise of these rights within the contract inspection period.

Pricing

Building and Pest Inspection Cost Brisbane

All combined inspections include both AS 4349.1 and AS 4349.3 reports, thermal imaging camera, moisture meter assessment, and delivery within 24 hours of inspection.

Property type	Combined price	Vs. separate bookings
Apartment or unit	$420-$500	Separate: $500-$700. Saving: $80-$200.
Standard house (3-4 bed, slab)	$480-$580	Separate: $630-$820. Saving: $150-$240.
Standard house (3-4 bed, with subfloor)	$520-$620	Separate: $680-$920. Saving: $160-$300.
Large house (4+ bed, outbuildings)	$580-$680	Separate: $730-$1,020. Saving: $150-$340.
Pest inspection only	$280-$420	See pre-purchase inspection page.

FAQ

Building and Pest Inspection FAQ

How much does a combined building and pest inspection cost in Brisbane?

Standard 3-4 bedroom house $480-$580. Large property with outbuildings $580-$680. Apartment $420-$500. Separate building ($350-$500) plus separate pest ($280-$420) typically costs $630-$920. The combined inspection saves $150-$340 depending on property size, and requires only one access appointment.

Is a combined inspection done by one inspector or two?

A single dual-qualified inspector holds both building inspection and pest management licences, which is the most efficient approach for standard residential properties. Two inspectors attending simultaneously is occasionally used for very large properties. Both approaches produce the two required reports under their respective Australian Standards.

Are the building and pest reports delivered separately or combined?

Delivered as two separate PDF documents within the same 24-hour window. The building report is under AS 4349.1 and the pest report under AS 4349.3. Lenders and conveyancers require them as separate documents so each can be matched to its relevant Australian Standard. Both are delivered by email within 24 hours of the inspection.

Does the combined inspection include roof void and subfloor?

Yes, where accessible. Both the building and pest components include roof void and subfloor inspection where access is available. Subfloor inspection is particularly important for the pest component as it is one of the main termite entry points in Brisbane homes. Inaccessible areas are recorded as limitations in both reports.

What does the building component cover that the pest component does not?

The building component covers structural defects: roof structure and covering condition, wall cracking and movement, drainage, rising damp, safety hazards (balustrades, stairs), and general structural integrity. The pest component covers termites, wood borers, timber decay, and termite risk conditions. Neither covers the other's scope, which is why both are required for a complete pre-purchase picture.

Can a positive finding be used to renegotiate the purchase price?

Yes. Under a standard Queensland REIQ contract, building and pest inspection results can be used to negotiate a price reduction, request vendor remediation before settlement, or terminate the contract within the inspection period. We can provide a cost estimate for any defects or pest findings immediately after the inspection to support price negotiation discussions.

Pre-purchase pest inspection All inspections

Building & Pest Inspection. Single Visit. 24hr Reports. Brisbane-Wide.

From $480 · AS 4349.1 + AS 4349.3 · Bank Accepted · Save vs Booking Separately

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