Is a building and pest inspection always necessary?

What’s involved in a building and pest inspection, how much does it cost, and is it really that important to get one done when you buy a property?

Buying a home or investment property is likely to be one of the biggest investments most of us will ever make.

And yet, some people are willing to let it all come crumbling down because of an invader that’s only a few millimeters tall!

Termites are nasty little pests that can carry on undetected for months or even years, wreaking havoc with the foundations of your building before you figure out they’re even there. The average repair cost for termite damage to a house is $7,000, although we’ve all heard horror stories when homeowners have been forced to part out with tens of thousands of dollars to rectify a termite problem.

Similarly, structural issues can cause huge financial headaches – and building issues can be present in both new and old homes.

So, when you’re in the market to buy, it makes total sense to have a building and pest inspections by the experts as an essential part of your due diligence process.

And, as Gold Coast based exterminators Sherry's Termite and Pest Control point out, a building and pest inspection is something that can “really help both parties when it comes to negotiating”.

“The seller can use it as a really good tool to give you as the buyer some serious peace of mind, especially if it was carried out by a reputable company,” they advise.

“If you’re the buyer, it can give you some understanding of whether it’s a good buy or whether there are a few risks. It’s like buying a used car; you would have a mechanic take a look at the car before you make your purchase.”

For an investment of a few hundred dollars – depending on where you are, a combined building and pest inspection will cost roughly $300-$600 ­– you’ll not only gain peace of mind, but you may also uncover valuable information to help you negotiate the purchase price.

“In my opinion it’s completely worth the money - they’re worth their weight in gold!”