Building & Pest Inspections
The importance of professional building inspections
Finding the right property in Far North Queensland’s tropical landscape can be fraught with hidden issues, from structural faults to unexpected pest invasions. Without a professional inspection, these hidden issues can turn your dream home into a costly nightmare, impacting your wallet and peace of mind.
We offer clarity and assurance with our comprehensive pre-purchase, pre-sale, pre-settlement, and maintenance schedules for residential and commercial properties. We specialise in navigating the unique challenges of FNQ’s environment, providing you with the insights needed to make informed decisions.
Imagine moving into your new home with absolute confidence, knowing every nook and cranny has been meticulously inspected for your safety and investment protection. Our detailed, image-rich reports and personalised walkthroughs empower you with knowledge, transforming uncertainty into confidence.
With same-day quotes and reports, Luke and the team are ready to ensure your property meets the highest standards.
Our services are not just thorough; they are crafted with your peace of mind at the forefront.
Don’t leave your property investment to chance. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote today and take the first step towards securing peace of mind with your property purchase in Cairns.
We’re your partners in making informed, confident decisions on your property journey.
What we assess during a building inspection in Cairns
Our building and pest inspection focuses on all aspects of the property. A few of the things we look for are:
• Structural damage
• Conditions conducive to structural damage
• Moisture leaks and damage
• Safety hazards
• Drainage issues
• All major defects
• All minor defects
• Roofing issues
• Timber pests
• Timber pest damage
• Structural cracking and movement
• Retaining wall faults
• Damaged fencing
• Future maintenance issues
• Shoddy work
Where we operate
We service the Cairns and broader FNQ region, working across the area to ensure our customers receive comprehensive building and pest reports.
Whether you need a building and pest inspection in Cairns, its Northern Beaches, Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree, Weipa, Tablelands, Innisfail, Mission Beach, or the surrounding areas, our team can help.
Our building & Pest inspection services
Pre-Sale Building & Pest Inspections in Cairns
A pre-sale property inspection is an incredibly useful tool to have prior to the auction or the sale of your property. Priority Building Inspections can complete comprehensive pre-sale building and pest inspections across far north Queensland, listing any major or minor defects and potential safety hazards that a potential buyer may find.
We will then collate our findings into a comprehensive report, making it easy for you to share the information about your pre-sale house inspection with any prospective buyers. This report also allows the seller to fix any defects throughout the property, reducing the chance of negotiations. It is just as important to know what you are selling as it is to know what you are buying.
Pre-Purchase Building & Pest Inspections in Cairns
Purchasing a property can be a nerve-wracking process to navigate. However, with our knowledge and personal experience, we strive to give you confidence in your decisions throughout the process. A pre-purchase building inspection and a timber pest inspection are both integral when purchasing a property. They can be the difference between buying your dream home or avoiding a property that doesn’t meet your needs.
We inspect each property as if we are the purchaser, take pride in our role, and understand that we work for you. Talk to our leading building and pest professional today and book a full assessment before you sign anything finalising your purchase.
New Build/Pre-Settlement Inspections in Cairns
When moving into your new build, it is essential to have a qualified builder inspect your home. A pre-settlement inspection report can be issued to the builder to ensure any potential defects are rectified prior to the settlement date. We can also carry out pre-settlement inspections on existing properties on your behalf if you cannot attend.
Maintenance Schedules
A maintenance schedule will outline any defects/maintenance works that are required on a building with timelines of what issues are to be urgently fixed and general maintenance. This can help the owner reduce overall maintenance costs by rectifying the issues before they become more costly.
What to expect from your building inspection report
Understanding your property inspection report is crucial to making informed decisions about your property.
At Priority Building Inspections, we pride ourselves on delivering comprehensive, easy-to-understand reports that give you a clear picture of the property’s condition. A typical building report is 20-50 pages long and includes photographs and detailed descriptions.
When you receive your building inspection report from us, here’s what you can expect:
1. Detailed Overview
Our reports begin with a thorough overview of the property, including its age, construction type, and overall condition relative to similar properties. We’ll note any major renovations or additions and assess the site’s accessibility and drainage.
2. Structural Integrity Assessment
We carefully examine the property for any signs of structural damage, such as cracking, deformation, dampness, or pest-related issues. We provide detailed recommendations for further investigation or remediation if any concerns are identified.
3. Safety Hazards & Compliance
Your safety is our top priority. We check for any serious safety hazards, such as electrical or fire risks, and ensure all aspects of the property comply with relevant building codes and standards.
4. Major & Minor Defects
Our inspectors meticulously assess all accessible areas for major defects in primary building elements and secondary components and any minor defects that may require repair or maintenance.
We include photos and detailed descriptions to help you understand the extent and location of any issues.
5. Pest Inspection
Our comprehensive reports also cover timber pest activity, including termites, borers, and fungal decay. We check for evidence of current or past infestations and identify conditions conducive to future pest problems, such as moisture or ventilation issues.
6. Maintenance Recommendations
To help you protect your investment, we offer personalized recommendations for any necessary repairs, improvements, or ongoing maintenance tasks.
We’ll advise you on the appropriate interval for future inspections based on the property’s condition and risk factors.
With a building inspection report from Priority Building Inspections, you can feel confident that you have the knowledge to make informed decisions about the property. Our experienced, friendly team is always happy to discuss the report’s findings and answer any questions you may have.
Common concerns & FAQs
We address your most pressing questions with clear, expert guidance to help you make informed decisions about your property inspections.
How long does a typical property inspection in Cairns take?
A typical property inspection in Cairns usually takes around 2 hours, but this can vary depending on the size of the property and any additional structures like sheds or granny flats. If possible, Luke aims to walk through the property with you afterwards to discuss any findings directly, ensuring you fully understand any issues we may uncover.
What should I do if the inspection report identifies problems?
If the inspection report highlights issues, We’ll guide you through understanding their severity and discuss your options. For any problems found, we can suggest skilled local tradespeople to provide repair quotes, which you can then use for negotiating the purchase price.
In the case of selling your property, addressing these issues beforehand not only smoothens the sale process but also maintains transparency with potential buyers, potentially avoiding further negotiations.
Are pests covered in a standard building inspection in Cairns?
Yes, our standard inspection reports include both building and pest assessments unless specified otherwise.
Our inspectors are trained to identify evidence of all common timber pests, including subterranean and drywood termites, borers, and fungal decay. We check for active infestations as well as any damage caused by past activity and conditions that may attract pests in the future.
As a licensed building and timber pest inspector, Luke will ensure a comprehensive evaluation covering both aspects to give you a complete overview of the property’s condition.
How quickly can I expect to receive my inspection report?
You’ll receive the inspection report on the same day as the inspection, ensuring you have the information you need promptly.
Do I need to be present during the inspection?
It’s recommended but not necessary for clients to be present during inspections.
The reports are detailed, including photos and comments on any defects. For clients, especially those interstate who haven’t seen the property, Luke will offer to use FaceTime. This helps them visualise what I’m describing, making the report easier to understand.
How much does a building and pest inspection cost in Cairns?
The cost of a building and pest inspection in Cairns varies based on several factors, such as the property’s size, whether it has a subfloor, retaining walls, additions like pools, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
Pricing starts at $290 for units and $490 for houses.
Do building inspections check windows?
Yes, Luke will check every aspect of the property as If his family were to purchase it.
This means inspecting windows, doors, lights, fans, air-conditioners, ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, garage doors, gates, fences, all external walls, retaining walls, the roof, all internal surfaces and the roof space.
Not all inspectors will do this or even get on the roof and in roof spaces, which is incredibly important for living in FNQ.
Who can do building inspections in QLD?
In Queensland, a qualified building inspector must hold a current QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) license and be fully insured to conduct building inspections.
Luke is a qualified cabinet maker, carpenter and builder, and his QBCC license number is 15018514.
What is the difference between a building inspector and a building certifier?
A building certifier is engaged if any approvals are required for example patio extensions, sheds, granny flats, pools etc.
A building and timber pest inspector inspects the property for any potential defects, safety hazards, timber-destroying pests, conditions conducive to structural damage and any additional aspects of the property, such as easement drains, sewer access pits, site drainage and any potential future maintenance needed.
Will the report tell me everything that's wrong with the property?
A building certifier is engaged if any approvals are required for example patio extensions, sheds, granny flats, pools etc.
A building and timber pest inspector inspects the property for any potential defects, safety hazards, timber-destroying pests, conditions conducive to structural damage and any additional aspects of the property, such as easement drains, sewer access pits, site drainage and any potential future maintenance needed.
