How Much Does a Building and Pest Inspection Cost in Melbourne?

About to invest in a property? Want to buy or build with confidence? Like thousands of Melbournians, you may be looking to arrange a building and pest inspection. If so, it's natural to wonder how much this process is likely to cost.

Below, we’ll explain the importance of due diligence, as well as provide an estimate on how much you’re likely to pay for a building and pest inspection in Melbourne.

Why Building and Pest Inspections Are Worth the Investment

When you’re in the process of searching for a property, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement; the open-plan kitchens, the freshly painted walls, the flashy designer fixtures. Unfortunately, what you see isn’t always what you get.

According to data from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in 2024, more than two-thirds of Australian homes were found to have building issues (Source: ABC News). This also included an alarming number of newly built homes failing to meet acceptable construction standards.

These figures really reinforce just why a professional inspection is so important, not only for older homes but also for new builds and renovated properties.

How Much Does a Building Inspection Cost in Melbourne?

The cost of a building inspection varies depending on several factors, including property size, location, and the level of detail required. However, we provide a value-packed pricing model that offers genuine back for your back. Our prices are as follows:

Building-Only Inspection (Not Combined)

• Apartment: $350
  
• Single-storey (2–4 bedrooms): $400
  
• Double-storey (2–4 bedrooms): $500
  
• Double-storey (5+ bedrooms): $550
  
• Prestige home or acreage: Price on request
  
• Note: Prices exclude GST

Combined Building and Pest Pre-Purchase Inspection

• Apartment: $400
  
• Single-storey (2–4 bedrooms): $500
  
• Double-storey (2–4 bedrooms): $600
  
• Double-storey (5+ bedrooms): Price on request (address required)
  
• Prestige home or acreage: Price on request
  
• Additional travel fee: $50 for properties located more than 50km from Melbourne metro area
  
• Note: Prices exclude GST

Please note that prices will vary from company to company, and the best way to get an accurate figure is to get a quote directly from the building inspector.

If you’re ready to go ahead and book an inspection, we’re available citywide. This means that whether you need a building inspector in Frankston, Melton, or Reservoir, Inspect 365 is at your service.

What You’re Paying For

While price is important, what really matters is what’s included. The best building inspection services in Melbourne offer the kind of insight that can only be given by an experienced professional.

At Inspect 365, every inspection is conducted by qualified, registered, and insured professionals in accordance with Australian Standards AS4349.1–2007.

You can expect:

• A comprehensive visual inspection of internal, external, and roof spaces.
• Thermal imaging and moisture detection for hidden problems.
• A detailed digital report with annotated photos and clear explanations.
• Fast turnaround (often within 4 hours).
• Independent advice without any upselling or builder affiliations.

The Cost of Skipping an Inspection

Choosing to skip an inspection might save a few hundred dollars upfront: but it’s a gamble that could cost thousands later.

Without a professional report, you risk:

Insurance complications: Pre-existing issues are often excluded from coverage.

Liability disputes: Without a dilapidation report, you could be blamed for damage to neighbouring properties.

Unexpected repairs: Undetected leaks, pests, or structural faults can quickly escalate into expensive problems.

Reduced resale value: Unresolved issues can deter future buyers and lower your return on investment.

The Hidden Issues You Can’t Afford to Miss

From leaky roofs to termite infestations, building inspections reveal the kind of problems that are invisible to the untrained eye. Some of the most common defects uncovered by independent inspectors include:

Water leaks and moisture damage: Often caused by poor drainage or plumbing faults. Left unchecked, moisture can lead to structural decay and mould growth.

Termite activity: Even new homes are vulnerable. Thermal imaging and moisture metres can detect infestations hidden behind walls and beneath floors.

Poor insulation or misaligned doors and windows: These might seem minor but can affect comfort, energy efficiency, and resale value.

When your report comes from the right building inspector in Melbourne, it will ultimately give you a much more well-rounded picture of what you’re buying. This really is the kind of critical information you’ll want to know before committing to a major decision.

What a Pre-Purchase Inspection Covers

Inspections typically involve a comprehensive internal and external review of the property, including:

Roofing and guttering: Checking for cracked tiles, rust, and poor flashing.

Walls and ceilings: Identifying cracks, stains, or sagging plaster.

Floors and subfloors: Detecting uneven surfaces, rot, or signs of subsidence

Doors and windows: Inspecting for correct alignment and sealing.

Insulation and ventilation: Evaluating energy efficiency and moisture control.

Advanced diagnostic tools such as FLIR C5 thermal imaging cameras and Tramex ME5 moisture metres are often used to detect issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The Importance of Including a Pest Inspection

Melbourne’s mild and temperate climate makes our city a haven for subterranean termites. Luckily, building and pest inspections can detect early signs of infestation, giving buyers time to negotiate repairs or reconsider their offer. They’re also able to use cutting-edge tech such as Termatrac T3i scanners and thermal cameras, both of which may be used to identify termite activity long before it becomes visible.

Hidden pest damage can cost tens of thousands to repair: far more than the modest cost of an inspection. Trust us when we say that the last thing you want to uncover is hidden termite activity down the line!

Independent vs Non-Independent Inspectors

Before you speed ahead and lock in the building inspection, it’s important to know who your inspector is working for. Not all inspections are the same, and the difference between an independent building inspector and a builder-aligned inspector can make a bigger difference than you might imagine.

An independent inspector works only for you, the buyer or property owner. They aren’t connected to builders, developers, or real estate agents, so their assessment is unbiased and focused entirely on your interests. Their role is to identify defects, check compliance with the National Construction Code, and give you a clear picture of the property’s condition.

On the other hand, a builder’s inspector or company-appointed assessor may have competing interests. They could overlook or downplay issues to protect their relationship with the builder, which means you might not get the full picture of the property’s condition.

Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Sometimes, the property itself will tell you that it’s time for an inspection.

With that in mind, there are many warning signs suggesting that some hidden issues may be lurking:

Damp patches or mould growth: Often caused by leaks or poor ventilation.

Cracks in walls or ceilings: A sign of potential foundation movement or subsidence.

Doors and windows that stick: Can indicate structural shifting or warped timber.

Sagging roofs or damaged gutters: Usually a symptom of poor workmanship or aging materials.

Soft flooring or uneven surfaces: May point to water damage or termite activity.

Unapproved renovations: Work done without compliance certificates may not meet Australian Standards.

Homes built before the 1990s: Could contain asbestos.

Even if none of these red flags are visible, booking an inspection gives you peace of mind and a detailed understanding of what you’re investing in.

In short, the cost of an inspection is minor compared to the level of surety and financial protection it provides.

Need a Building and Pest Inspection in Melbourne? Turn to Inspect 365

With over 25 years of industry experience and more than 10,000 inspections completed across Victoria, we’ve become the most trusted name in Melbourne.

Our services are fully independent and can include:

• Pre-Purchase Inspections
• Construction Stage Inspections
• Building Defect & Dispute Reports
• Dilapidation Surveys
• Insurance & Settlement Assessments
• Gas & Smoke Alarm Checks
• Strata and Body Corporate Inspections

So, whether you’re a first home buyer, seasoned investor, business owner or developer, we deliver fast, accurate, and transparent reports with no hidden fees or upsells.