Building and Pest Inspection in Logan
Looking for a building and pest inspection in Logan? Whether you’re buying a house, unit, townhouse or commercial property in Logan, we can help! All our building inspectors have over 30 years of experience within the building industry to ensure you’re getting a quality building and pest inspection in Logan. Our inspectors will provide you with the information you need to an informed purchase decision and have peace of mind.
Why Building and Pest Inspections are Crucial
For buyers, a building and pest inspection ensures you are aware of the condition of the property prior to purchase. No doubt you have heard horror stories of people purchasing a home without a building and pest inspection only to find the home has major defects. A pre-purchase building and pest inspection helps to prevent this from happening to you and ultimately protects you as the buyer.
Ultimately, a building and pest inspection helps you to have peace of mind and make an informed decision by:
- Identifying any safety hazards
- Identifying any major and minor defects
- Identifying any evidence of live termites or termite damage
What is a Building and Pest Inspection?
A building and pest inspection is a thorough visual inspection of a property to assess its current condition. A building and pest inspection is two inspections in one – a building inspection and a timber pest inspection.
The building inspection looks for any major or minor building defects and safety hazards. Major defects refer to issues that affect the livability or safety of the building. These are generally issues that need to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage or unsafe conditions. Minor defects on the other hand are typically maintenance items that are non-urgent.
The timber pest inspection checks the home for any evidence of live termites, termite damage, and timber borers. Termites can cause significant damage if left undetected, so it is vital to have the property checked for termites before purchase. The pest inspector will also look for any conducive conditions to future termite infestations and whether the home has a current termite management system.
What’s included in your Logan building and pest inspection?
At Local Inspections, we pride ourselves on providing the best building and pest inspections possible. We check all accessible areas of the home and property within 30 meters of the home. This includes checking the interior, exterior, roof void, roof, subfloor (if applicable), garage, driveway, shed, fencing, and retaining walls. Under Australian Standards, the roof, roof void and subfloor can only be checked if it is safe to do so.
During the inspection, the building and pest inspector will also check the home with a moisture meter and thermal imaging camera. This equipment allows our inspectors to identify anomalies that may be unseen to the naked eye. In particular, the inspector is looking for signs of moisture issues and termite activity at the property. As both issues can be costly to repair and attract termites to the home.
Common Issues Found in Logan Homes
1. Termite Infestations
Termites are a significant concern in Logan due to the warm, humid climate. They can cause extensive damage to wooden structures, often going unnoticed until severe damage has occurred. This is due to the quiet, elusive nature of termites.
If your building and pest report finds termites, we recommend reading our blog ‘What to do if termites are found during your building and pest’. It provides top tips for how to navigate the situation and what things you need to consider before you make your purchase decision.
2. Structural Defects
Older homes in Logan may have structural issues such as foundation cracks, sagging ceilings, or deteriorating showers. These defects can compromise the safety and livability of the home. You can read more about the common defects found during building inspections here.
3. Moisture Problems
High humidity levels in Logan can lead to moisture-related issues like wood rot and rising damp. Identifying moisture problems is a priority for our inspectors as high levels of moisture is a conducive condition to termites. These problems can often indicate there are larger issues at play and can be costly to repair. They can also affect the structural integrity of the home and pose health risks.
The Building and Pest Report
After the inspection is complete, the building and pest inspector will collate their findings into a report. At Local Inspections, our reports are sent to you within 24 hours of the inspection taking place. It also includes coloured photos of defects, recommendations for repairs or further investigation (if necessary).
As each of our reports are completed in accordance with Australian Standards, they are legally recognised by real estate agents, conveyancers and lawyers. This means you have a few options once you receive the building and pest report:
- Proceed with the purchase and settle on terms already discussed with the vendor
- Negotiate with the vendor for a lower purchase price or for them to complete repairs prior to settlement (If major defects are found)
- Exit the purchase contract and look for another property
Regardless of which option you choose, you must act in a manner that is fair and reasonable with the vendor. For example, it would be considered fair and reasonable to walk away from negotiations because the listed defects are too severe or are outside of your scope or budget to repair. However, it would not be considered fair and reasonable to exit the purchase contract based on only minor defects, such as stained carpet or general aging to the property.
How Much Does a Building and Pest Inspection Cost in Logan?
The cost of a building and pest inspection varies depending on the size and condition of the property. This is due to the time needed to complete the inspection. For example, an old Queenslander-style home will take longer to inspect than a brand-new property. Likewise, if a property has a granny flat, is dual living or has additional rooms, it will cost more than standard-sized properties.
At Local Inspections, an inspection for an apartment or unit starts from $390 including GST (June 2024). Whereas houses start from $500 including GST for a standard 2-bedroom home (June 2024) but may increase depending on the size.
For a thorough Building and Pest Inspection, book with us today!
At Local Inspections, our inspectors are our best asset. Each inspector comes highly qualified with over 30 years of experience within the building industry. With us, you can trust that you're getting an independent building inspector who will go above and beyond to help you understand the true condition of the property.
We guarantee an comprehensive inspection, great customer service, fast turnaround time for reports and competitive pricing.
If you would like to book an inspection or have questions, reach out to us by hitting the buttons below!