How much does a building inspection cost in Sydney?+
For a typical 3–4 bedroom Sydney house in 2026, a building-only inspection is $330–$550, a pest-only inspection is $220–$385, and a combined building + pest inspection is $440–$715. Units and apartments sit at the lower end; large, double-storey, heritage or acreage properties sit at the top. Every Pest & Building Inspections Australia quote is fixed and includes roof void, sub-floor, thermal imaging and a written report — not extras.
How much does a building and pest inspection cost?+
A combined building and pest inspection in Sydney is typically $440–$715 in 2026. That's cheaper than booking them separately because one inspector attends once, sets up the moisture meter and thermal camera once, and produces one combined report. If a quote is under $350 for combined, ask what's excluded — usually it's the roof void, sub-floor, thermal camera or written report format.
How long does a building inspection take?+
On-site, a standard 3–4 bedroom Sydney house takes 2–3 hours. Units take 60–90 minutes. Large or double-storey homes take 3–4 hours. Combined building + pest adds about 30 minutes to a building-only visit because the pest scope (thermal + moisture testing, termite bait station check, sub-floor and roof void) overlaps with the building scope. The written report is delivered within 48 hours — usually the same day.
How long is a building and pest inspection report valid for?+
There's no statutory expiry, but the report reflects the property's condition on the day of inspection. Most Sydney lenders, solicitors and vendors treat reports over 90 days old as stale — after that, a quick re-inspection is recommended, especially for pest (termite activity can change in weeks). If you're bidding at auction, book within 30 days of the auction date.
What does a building inspection cover?+
A building inspection to AS 4349.1 covers structure and foundations, roof exterior and roof void, sub-floor, walls (internal and external), wet areas, safety items (balustrades, smoke alarms, pool fencing, glazing), and obvious unapproved works. It does NOT cover items requiring destructive testing (behind wall linings), specialist reports (engineering, geotech, electrical certification) or timber pests — those are covered by a combined building + pest inspection.
What does a building and pest inspection cover?+
A combined building + pest inspection covers everything in the building scope above (AS 4349.1) plus a full timber-pest inspection (AS 4349.3) — active termites, past termite damage, borers, fungal decay and conducive conditions. Thermal imaging and a calibrated moisture meter are used on wall and ceiling surfaces to identify hidden termite activity and water ingress that visual inspection alone would miss.
Why do quotes vary so much between inspectors?+
The three biggest reasons are scope, qualifications and business model. A $200 'building inspection' often excludes the sub-floor, roof void, pest scope, thermal camera or written report. A qualified, licensed inspector with $20M insurance costs more than an unlicensed operator. And call-centre franchises add a lead-generation margin on top of the on-site fee — we don't. Ask for a written scope, licence number and insurance certificate before you compare price.
Can I get a building and pest inspection after auction?+
You can, but it's not the same protection. Auctions are unconditional in NSW — there's no cooling-off period, so a post-auction report can't unwind the contract. The correct time is BEFORE the auction (usually 5–10 days out) so you can bid — or walk away — with full knowledge. If you've already signed, a post-purchase report at least gives you an evidence base for defects claims within the statutory warranty period.
Should I get a building inspection on a new home?+
Yes — arguably it's more important on a new home than on an established one. New homes carry a two-year (minor) and six-year (major) statutory warranty under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW), so defects identified early can be rectified at the builder's cost. Book a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) 5–10 days before handover, and ideally construction-stage inspections at slab, frame, pre-plaster and lock-up as well.
Do you offer same-day or urgent inspections?+
Yes — same-day metro Sydney inspections are usually available when booked by 10am, with the report delivered that evening. Urgent cooling-off inspections (within 24 hours) are standard practice and don't attract a rush fee. Call us on the number at the top of this page to confirm inspector availability for your specific date and suburb.
How much does a building inspection cost in Parramatta and Western Sydney?+
Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool and the wider Western Sydney corridor typically price at the mid-range: $330–$495 for building-only, $220–$330 for pest-only, and $440–$660 for combined building + pest on a standard 3–4 bedroom house. Larger acreage properties around Kellyville, Camden and the Hills District sit at the top of the range. Same-day metro pricing applies — no travel surcharge inside Greater Western Sydney.
How much does a building inspection cost in the Sydney CBD, Inner West and Eastern Suburbs?+
Sydney CBD apartments, Inner West terraces (Newtown, Marrickville, Balmain) and Eastern Suburbs homes (Bondi, Randwick, Coogee, Double Bay) typically price at $385–$550 for building-only and $495–$715 for combined building + pest. Heritage terraces and Federation cottages sit at the top of the range because of sub-floor access, lath-and-plaster walls and the higher likelihood of unapproved works needing to be documented.
How much does a building inspection cost on the North Shore and Northern Beaches?+
Chatswood, Lane Cove, Hornsby, Manly, Dee Why and the Northern Beaches typically price at $385–$595 for building-only and $495–$715 for combined building + pest on a standard house. Large double-storey homes and waterfront properties around Mosman, Seaforth and Pittwater price at the top of the range. Access to sub-floor and roof void is the main cost driver — most North Shore homes have full access, keeping quotes tight.
How much does a strata / unit inspection cost in Sydney?+
A physical strata inspection on a Sydney apartment or townhouse — inside the lot plus visible common property — is typically $330–$495 in 2026. This is an add-on to a conveyancer's strata records report (not a replacement); together they give you the full picture of the individual unit's condition plus the building's financial and repair history. Combined pest + building on a unit is typically $385–$495 because the scope is smaller than a house.
How much does a pool inspection or acreage inspection cost in Sydney?+
Acreage properties in the Hills District, Camden, Hawkesbury and Sutherland Shire typically add $110–$220 to a standard house inspection because of larger sub-floor areas, multiple outbuildings, longer roof runs and additional pest scope. Pool safety compliance certificates (separate to a building inspection) are typically $195–$295 in Sydney metro — we can bundle both at the time of booking for a combined visit.
Is the price the same for older heritage homes in Sydney?+
No — Federation, Victorian terrace and heritage homes (common across the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and Lower North Shore) typically add $80–$165 to a standard quote. The reasons are longer on-site time (restricted sub-floor access, lath-and-plaster walls, cast-iron drainage), more photos, and a higher-density report because there's simply more to document. It's still a fixed quote — we'll price your specific address before you book, not after.
How much does a building inspection cost in the Blue Mountains, Central Coast or Wollongong?+
Regional NSW inspections outside Sydney metro (Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, Illawarra, Southern Highlands) typically add $55–$110 to metro pricing to cover inspector travel time — so a combined building + pest on a standard 3–4 bedroom house is typically $495–$795. Bookings are usually attended within 48–72 hours and reports delivered within 48 hours of the inspection.
Do prices differ across Sydney suburbs?+
Slightly. Metro Sydney inspections (Parramatta, Sydney CBD, North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Northern Beaches) all price within the same $330–$715 range depending on property size, age and access — not on postcode. The two things that push a Sydney quote up are (1) property age (heritage homes) and (2) property size (large acreage), not the suburb itself. Regional NSW adds a modest travel component. Every quote is fixed and confirmed in writing before you book.
