Perth's trusted building inspector

A licensed Perth building inspector examines the structural integrity and overall condition of a property from roof to foundations. This includes the roof framing, guttering and downpipes, wall framing, flooring, ceilings, doors and windows, wet areas (bathrooms, laundry, kitchen), drainage, retaining walls, garages, outbuildings, fencing, and any visible signs of water damage, subsidence, or pest activity.

In Perth specifically, inspectors are trained to identify issues common to WA conditions — including cracking from reactive clay soils, termite damage in older timber-framed homes, asbestos in properties built before 1990, and roof deterioration from UV exposure and coastal salt air.

A pre-purchase building inspection is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out before you commit to buying. A licensed inspector examines the property and produces a detailed written report identifying major defects, minor defects, safety hazards, and items requiring ongoing maintenance.

In Perth's fast-moving property market, buyers often feel pressure to skip this step — but that is a significant financial risk. Issues like roof framing failures, active water ingress, non-compliant additions, and structural cracking are frequently uncovered during inspections the buyer had no knowledge of. One report could give you the power to negotiate thousands off the purchase price, request repairs as a condition of sale, or walk away entirely before you are legally committed.

A thorough building inspection on a standard Perth residential property typically takes between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the size and age of the home. Larger properties, older homes, or those with multiple outbuildings, pools, or extensive gardens will take longer.

As a buyer, you are welcome to be present during the inspection — many clients find this extremely valuable as the inspector can walk you through findings in real time and answer questions on the spot.

Australian Home Inspections provides a 24-hour report turnaround. Your written report will be delivered within 24 hours of the inspection being completed. This is important when you are working within a finance or building inspection clause and need to make a decision quickly.

Our reports are written in plain English — no confusing jargon — so you can understand exactly what has been found and what it means for your purchase decision.

A building inspection focuses on the structural condition and overall state of the property — walls, roof, floors, drainage, and so on. A pest inspection specifically looks for evidence of timber pest activity, most commonly termites (white ants), but also borers and wood decay fungi.

In Perth, both inspections are strongly recommended for any property with timber framing or timber elements, as termite activity can be hidden behind walls and cause catastrophic structural damage that is not visible to the untrained eye. Australian Home Inspections can coordinate both assessments for you.

Yes — new builds are one of the most important times to get an independent inspection. Builders are focused on completing homes on time and on budget, and construction defects are far more common than most buyers realise.

Common issues found in new Perth homes include inadequate roof tie-downs, poor waterproofing in wet areas, cracking in rendered surfaces, non-compliant pool barriers, and items that simply have not been completed to the required standard. A practical completion inspection gives you documented evidence of any defects before you sign off — giving you legal leverage to have issues rectified at the builder's cost before you take ownership.

In-construction inspections are staged inspections carried out at key milestones during the building of a new home. The typical stages are: slab down (base stage), frame stage, lock-up stage, fixing stage, and practical completion.

Having an independent inspector check each stage before the next one begins is the most effective way to catch defects early — when they are easiest and cheapest to fix. Once walls are plastered and finishes are applied, many structural and waterproofing defects become impossible to see without invasive investigation. In-construction inspections give you peace of mind and protect your investment from the ground up.

A tax depreciation schedule is a report prepared by a qualified quantity surveyor that identifies all depreciable assets within an investment property — from the building structure itself to carpets, appliances, hot water systems, and fixtures. The ATO allows investment property owners to claim depreciation as a tax deduction, which reduces your taxable income and improves your cash flow.

Most Perth investment property owners are not claiming their full entitlement. A depreciation schedule typically costs between $400 and $700 as a one-off fee and can generate thousands of dollars in tax deductions over its lifetime — making it one of the highest-return investments a property investor can make.

Asbestos was widely used in Australian building materials until it was banned in 1987. Many Perth homes built before 1990 — particularly fibro and brick veneer homes from the 1950s through to the 1980s — contain asbestos-containing materials in eaves, cladding, wet area sheeting, floor tiles, and roofing.

A building inspector can identify the suspected presence of asbestos-containing materials during a visual inspection and flag them in the report. Confirmation and testing requires a licensed asbestos assessor. If you are buying an older Perth property, the question of asbestos is an important one — particularly if you are planning any renovations.

Australian Home Inspections services all metropolitan Perth suburbs and surrounding regions, including the Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Eastern Suburbs, the Hills, and outer growth corridors including Ellenbrook, Baldivis, Byford, and Alkimos.

Whether you are buying in Cottesloe, Canning Vale, Joondalup, or Mandurah, our licensed Perth building inspectors can be on-site quickly to meet your settlement timeline. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

When choosing a Perth building inspector, look for the following:

✔ A current builder's registration with Building and Energy WA
✔ Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
✔ A sample report so you can assess the depth and clarity of their reporting
✔ Genuine independent status with no referral relationships with real estate agents
✔ Verifiable reviews from recent clients

Be cautious of inspectors who offer extremely low prices, produce very short reports, or have a relationship with the selling agent — their loyalties may not lie with you.

A real estate agent can suggest names, but it is strongly advisable to choose your own independent building inspector rather than using someone recommended by the selling agent. The agent's legal obligation is to the vendor, not to you as the buyer.

An inspector who relies on referrals from agents has a financial incentive to produce reports that do not alarm buyers or derail sales. Australian Home Inspections has no referral relationships with real estate agencies — we work only for the person who hires us.

Finding issues in a report is not necessarily a reason to panic or walk away — it is the whole point of having the inspection done. Your licensed inspector will clearly explain the severity of each defect and whether it is a major structural concern, a significant maintenance item, or a minor cosmetic issue.

Armed with this information, you have several options:
✔ Negotiate a reduction in the purchase price to account for repair costs
✔ Request that the vendor complete specific repairs before settlement
✔ Request an extension to get specialist quotes
✔ Exercise your right to withdraw from the contract within the terms of your building inspection clause

Your conveyancer or settlement agent can advise you on your legal options based on the report findings.

Yes. All inspections carried out by Australian Home Inspections are performed by licensed building inspectors registered with Building and Energy WA. Our inspectors carry professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.

All inspections are conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.1 — Inspection of Buildings. You will receive a written report that meets the requirements of the standard and is legally defensible if needed.