- A building inspection checks the home’s condition: structure, roof, walls, floors, wet areas and drainage.
- A pest inspection checks for timber pests: termites, borers, wood decay and the conditions that attract them.
- Two separate Australian Standards. AS 4349.1 for the building and AS 4349.3 for timber pests.
- Your WA contract usually treats them separately too. Check that both conditions are in your offer.
- Booked together, they cost less than two separate inspections.
“Termites cause structural damage, and building defects attract termites. That’s why I’d always have the same inspector look at both.”
Russell McCarthy, Registered Builder & Lead Building Inspector
Short answer: a building inspection checks the condition of the home: structure, roof, walls, floors, wet areas and drainage. A pest inspection checks for termites, borers and wood decay, and for the conditions that attract them. They’re two separate inspections done to two separate Australian Standards: AS 4349.1 for the building and AS 4349.3 for timber pests. If you’re buying a home in Perth you want both, and booking them together as one building and pest inspection costs less than booking them apart.
G’day, Russell here, registered builder (BP104751) at WA Building Inspections. People mix these two up all the time, and it matters, because your contract usually treats them separately too.
| Building inspection | Pest inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| What it checks | Structure, roof, walls, floors, wet areas, drainage, outbuildings | Termites, borers, wood decay and the conditions that attract them |
| Australian Standard | AS 4349.1 | AS 4349.3 |
| What it finds | Major defects, minor defects and safety hazards | Live activity, past damage and risk factors |
| Contract condition in WA | Building inspection condition | Usually a separate timber pest condition |
| Best booked | Together, as one building and pest inspection | |
What does a building inspection check?
A building inspection looks at how the home is holding up. We check:
- The outside: roof cover, gutters, downpipes, external walls, windows, doors, paving and site drainage.
- The roof space: framing, sarking, insulation and signs of leaks.
- The inside: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.
- The subfloor, where there’s access.
- The site: fences, retaining walls, sheds, garages, carports and patios.
The report sorts what we find into major defects, minor defects and safety hazards.
What does a pest inspection check?
A pest inspection, also called a timber pest inspection or termite inspection, looks for anything eating or rotting the timber in the home. We check for:
- Live termite activity and termite damage.
- Borers.
- Wood decay, which is rot caused by moisture.
- Conducive conditions: moisture, timber touching the ground, garden beds over weep holes and bridged barriers.
- Evidence of past treatments or a termite management system.
Why one doesn’t replace the other
A building inspection on its own won’t give you a timber pest report. A pest inspection on its own won’t tell you the roof frame is sagging or the shower is leaking.
They also overlap. Termites cause structural damage, and building defects like leaks and poor drainage attract termites. When the same inspector does both, on the same day, the two halves get joined up. That’s the main reason I recommend the combined inspection.
“A building inspection on its own won’t give you a timber pest report.”
Russell McCarthy
Which one does your contract need?
In a WA offer and acceptance, the building condition and the pest condition are usually separate. The common building inspection condition deals with major structural defects. Timber pests usually have their own condition.
So if you want both protections, you need both conditions in your offer, and a report that covers both. Check the wording with your settlement agent before you sign.
When would you book just one?
Pest only: you already own the home and you want your yearly termite check.
Building only: you’re building a new home. That’s a different inspection again, called a practical completion inspection. Not sure which one you need? I’ve written a guide to which inspection suits which situation.
For anyone buying an established home, book both together. Current prices for each option are on our building inspection costs and services page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a building inspection and a pest inspection?
A building inspection checks the condition of the home’s structure and main parts under AS 4349.1. A pest inspection checks for termites, borers and wood decay under AS 4349.3. They produce separate findings, and most buyers book them together.
Is a pest inspection the same as a termite inspection?
For home buyers, yes. A timber pest inspection covers termites, borers and wood decay. It doesn’t cover household pests like ants, spiders or cockroaches.
Do I need both a building and a pest inspection?
If you’re buying an established home, yes. Termite damage is often structural and usually isn’t covered by home insurance, and a building-only report doesn’t include a timber pest inspection.
Can one inspector do both inspections?
Yes. At WA Building Inspections, a registered builder does the building and pest inspection in one visit, and you get one report within 24 hours.
Is it cheaper to get building and pest done together?
Yes. A combined building and pest inspection costs less than booking the two separately, because both are done in one visit.
Related Reading
- What does a building and pest inspection cover?
- Which building inspection do I need?
- Why a termite inspection is important when buying a home
Written by Russell McCarthy, Registered Builder (BP104751) and Lead Building Inspector at WA Building Inspections Perth.