Building Inspections St James
Real Builders. Better Inspections.
Building & Pest Inspections by Real Builders (BP104751) | St James’ #1 Rated Building Inspection Company with our Famous Price Beat Guarantee | Trusted by 30,000+ Perth Homeowners
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INSPECTIONS BY REGISTERED BUILDERS
St James’ #1 Rated Building and Pest Inspection
St James sits in Perth’s inner south-east, split between the Town of Victoria Park and the City of Canning, with Boundary Road marking the line. The area was known as Bentley Hill from the 1860s. Until World War II most of it was vacant bushland with some farming, and it became a suburb in 1957. Post-war development brought State Housing Commission homes and War Service Homes for veterans, and the streets carry the names of British politicians such as Palmerston, Walpole and Pitt. Albany Highway runs along the eastern side with a small commercial strip.
The three defect categories we see most in St James homes are ageing roofs and gutters, cracking in brick and slab, and poorly done renovations and infill. The original 1950s homes have long-lived roofs that are now well past their best, with broken tiles, rusted gutters and old flashings. Cracking shows in walls and floors as older footings move. In the 1990s many 1950s homes were demolished or rebuilt at higher density, so we also find mixed-age blocks with rear units that were built to different standards.
Public housing stock from the 1950s can be sound, but it needs a proper look. Homes that were sold and refreshed quickly can hide patch jobs. A registered builder knows what original construction looks like and where the shortcuts were taken. We check the structure, roof and additions and give you a clear report within 24 hours.
The difference with WA Building Inspections is simple: our inspectors are licensed registered builders (BP104751). Real Builders. Better Inspections. That’s why over 30,000 Perth home buyers have trusted us.
What’s Included in Your St James Building & Pest Inspection
Comprehensive Pre Purchase Building Inspections
Every St James inspection is carried out by a licensed registered builder (BP104751), not a generalist with a checklist. We physically access roof voids, subfloors and external structures wherever it’s safe to do so, and we inspect against the building code our inspectors have spent their careers working under. On St James’s 1950s post-war homes, our builder-inspectors check roof condition, cracking in brick and slab, and the quality of renovations and later infill, including rear units on split blocks.
Compliant with AS 4349.1–2007.
Termite & Pest Inspection St James
A full timber pest inspection is included with every combined booking, not bolted on as an upsell. We check for active subterranean termite activity, evidence of past activity, termite conducive conditions, failed or expired chemical barriers, and wood borer activity across the property, fencing and outbuildings.
St James has older 1950s timber in roof frames and floors, and mature gardens on established streets, which suits termites. Post-war homes were built with timber that has now had decades of exposure. We inspect roof voids, fences and garden beds on every job.
Compliant with Australian Standard AS 4349.3–2010.
Detailed Photo Report
Your St James report lands in your inbox within 24 hours of the inspection. It’s not a generic template. Every defect we identify is photographed, captioned and explained in plain English with the relevant Australian Standard or NCC clause cited where applicable. You’ll see exactly what the issue is, why it matters, and what it’s likely to cost to remediate. We also include a follow-up consultation call so you can walk through the findings with your inspector before any negotiation or settlement decisions.
Fixed Pricing, No Surprises
St James Building Inspection Pricing
Building & Pest Inspection
MOST AFFORDABLE- ✔ Comprehensive Building & Pest Inspection Perth
- ✔ Report within 24 hours
- ✔ Based on 4×2 home
- ✔ Licensed & insured inspectors
- ✔ Money Back Guarantee
- ✔ Price Beat Guarantee
Advanced Building & Pest Inspection. Includes thermal imaging
MOST POPULAR- $999
- ✔ Advanced Comprehensive Building & Pest Inspection Perth with Thermographic Inspection
- ✔ Thermographic scan detects invisible leaks & moisture damage
- ✔ Identifies issues not visible to the naked eye
- ✔ Voted Perth’s Most Comprehensive Inspection
- ✔ Report within 24 hours
- ✔ Based on 4×2 home
- ✔ Licensed & insured inspectors
- ✔ Money Back Guarantee
- ✔ Price Beat Guarantee
- Prices exclude GST
What We’ve Found in St James Properties
What St James Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a building and pest inspection in St James cost?
Our building and pest inspection in St James is $499 + GST, fixed price, and it saves $99 + GST (approximately 16.6%) compared to booking the two separately, based on a 4×2 home. For buyers who want the most thorough inspection available, our Advanced Building & Pest Inspection is $799 + GST. Pricing is fixed with no travel surcharges across St James, East Victoria Park, Welshpool, Bentley and Cannington and the surrounding inner south-eastern suburbs.
What does a building and pest inspection cover?
Our inspectors inspect more than your average inspector. How? We are qualified registered builders, so we go where the others won’t and we detect what the others can’t. Read more about what a full building and pest inspection covers.
How long does a building inspection in St James take?
Most inspections take 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size, age and access of the home. Older homes, bigger blocks and homes with extensions or outbuildings take longer, because we inspect all of it. Your detailed photo report arrives within 24 hours.
Do I need a termite inspection in St James?
Yes. St James has homes dating from the 1950s with older timber framing, and termites are active across the south-eastern suburbs. A timber pest inspection is included in our building and pest package. See what termite damage looks like.
Which suburbs around St James do you cover?
We cover all of St James (6102) and the suburbs around it, including East Victoria Park, Welshpool, Bentley and Cannington. We inspect right across the South East & Canning and the rest of Perth.
Is a building inspection required when buying property in Western Australia?
It isn’t a legal requirement, but Consumer Protection WA recommends making your offer subject to a building inspection. Without one, you buy the home as it is. Make sure your contract includes a building inspection clause, and book the inspection within 2 to 3 business days of your offer being accepted so you have time to act on the report.
What should I look for when buying a home in St James?
Check the roof and gutters first, as many St James homes date from the 1950s. Look for cracks in brick walls and around doors and windows. Ask if the block has been subdivided, and check rear units and additions carefully. Get the property’s age confirmed, because St James has both original homes and 1990s rebuilds. Our checklist of what to check before buying covers the rest.
I’m building a new home in St James. Do you offer new construction inspections?
Yes. We inspect new homes at every stage, from the slab through to handover. See our guide to construction stage inspections in WA, and use our PCI checklist before you take the keys. It’s far cheaper to have the builder fix defects before you move in than after.
Can you negotiate the price after a building and pest inspection?
Yes. A detailed report with photos and plain-English explanations gives you solid evidence to renegotiate the price or ask the seller to fix defects before settlement. Talk to your settlement agent early, because your building inspection condition has a deadline.
What makes WA Building Inspections different?
Our inspectors are licensed registered builders (BP104751). Real Builders. Better Inspections. We know how a home should have been built, not just how it looks, and we inspect to AS 4349.1 with a full timber pest inspection to AS 4349.3. Every report arrives within 24 hours, with a follow-up call to walk you through it.
Is a former State Housing or War Service home in St James worth buying?
They can be good value, since post-war homes were often solidly built. The catch is age. Roofs, wiring and plumbing are usually original and wet areas may never have been redone. We inspect the structure, roof and finishes so you know what needs work.
How do I book a building inspector in St James?
Book online at wabuildinginspections.com.au in under 60 seconds, or call 1300 23 63 63. Choose St James, pick your inspection type and a time, and we’ll take it from there.
Other St James Building Inspections
Construction Stage Inspections
Identify and document defects during construction, creating early evidence if issues later escalate into a dispute or SAT matter.
Defect Liability Report
The key stage where most disputes begin.
Documents defects during the warranty period, forming the foundation of your case if the builder refuses to rectify.



