Pre-Purchase Building Inspections

A pre-purchase building inspection is an independent, visual assessment of a property's condition before you buy. A licensed inspector examines the structure, roof, subfloor, moisture levels, and accessible areas, then delivers a written report with photos and defect ratings the same day (subject to access and availability). It gives you factual information about the property's condition before you are contractually committed - so you can negotiate, walk away, or proceed with your eyes open.

A structural inspection covers the elements that affect a building's integrity: foundations and slab, load-bearing walls, roof frame, floors, and the connections between them. The inspector looks for cracking, movement, deflection, non-compliant modifications, and anything that affects the building's ability to carry its own loads safely. It does not cover cosmetic finishes or minor maintenance items, which are captured separately in a general building report.

A timber pest inspection specifically assesses the property for timber pests - subterranean termites, wood borers, and fungal decay. The inspector looks for active infestations, past damage, conditions conducive to attack (moisture, soil contact, poor drainage), and evidence of previous treatment. In Perth and Sydney, subterranean termite risk is real and the damage can be significant. Most buyers include a pest inspection alongside their building report.

A combined inspection runs a full building assessment and a timber pest assessment in a single visit, usually taking around 1 - 2 hours depending on the property. It is the most practical option for most residential buyers: one booking, one inspector on site, one comprehensive report. Choose a combined inspection when buying any residential property in Perth or Sydney, particularly older homes or properties with timber construction, gardens close to the structure, or any history of moisture issues.

A comprehensive inspection covers everything in a standard building report plus a detailed maintenance schedule, condition ratings across all elements, and cost estimates for identified work. It is suited to buyers who want a thorough condition assessment before a larger purchase, or anyone who wants specific guidance on maintenance priorities. If you are buying a fixer-upper or an older property, it is worth considering.

Yes. SURE offers a dedicated high-rise apartment inspection for strata buildings of three or more storeys. The inspection focuses on the lot itself - internal finishes, wet areas, waterproofing, windows, doors, and accessible building elements - rather than common property, which is the owners corporation's responsibility. If you are buying into a strata scheme, a strata records search run alongside the building inspection gives you the financial and maintenance picture for the building as a whole.

The most common findings across our Perth and Sydney corpus are moisture-related: rising damp, wet-area waterproofing failures, and inadequate subfloor ventilation. Roofing defects are also frequent - cracked tiles, failed pointing, and blocked gutters. Structural findings vary by age and location: reactive clay slab movement is common in Sydney's western suburbs; limestone foundation issues are more typical in older Perth coastal stock. The report rates each finding by severity so you can tell immediately which items need attention and which are routine maintenance.

Most pre-purchase inspections take 1 - 2 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the property. The inspector will call you after the inspection to discuss the key findings before the formal written report is emailed. Reports are delivered same day, subject to access and availability. If you have questions after reading the report, call 1300 787 327 - 12 months of free follow-up advice is included.