- A combined building and pest inspection in Perth is $499 + GST with us, fixed for a standard 4×2 home, with a photo report within 24 hours.
- Published Perth prices run from about $300 to $1,500. Most of that gap comes down to what’s included, not the quality of the inspection.
- Watch for quotes that leave out the pest inspection. Adding it back later usually costs more than booking the two together.
- New builds are priced differently: $399 + GST per construction stage, $499 + GST for a PCI, or $999 + GST for the Advanced PCI.
- The cheapest quote isn’t the cheapest outcome. Check it’s a registered builder, pests are included and every defect is photographed.
“I’ve been inspecting Perth homes since 2006, and the most expensive inspection I ever see is the one somebody skipped to save a few hundred bucks.”
Russell McCarthy, Registered Builder & Lead Building Inspector
Short answer: at WA Building Inspections, a combined building and pest inspection on an established Perth home is $499 + GST, fixed. The Advanced inspection with thermal imaging is $799 + GST. For new builds, a practical completion inspection (PCI) is $499 + GST and each construction stage inspection is $399 + GST. Across Perth, published prices for pre-purchase inspections run from roughly $300 to $1,500, depending on the company, the size of the home and what’s included.
G’day, Russell here. I’m a registered builder (BP104751) and I run WA Building Inspections. I get asked about price every day, so here’s the straight answer, plus what actually moves the number.
| Inspection | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Building and Pest Inspection (Standard) | Buying an established home | $499 + GST |
| Advanced Building and Pest Inspection | Older homes, lots of wet areas, fresh paint | $799 + GST |
| Construction stage inspection | New build, per stage | $399 + GST |
| Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) | New build handover, after stage inspections | $499 + GST |
| Advanced PCI | New build handover, no stage inspections | $999 + GST |
| Pre-Sale Building and Pest Inspection | Selling your home | $499 + GST |
What does a building inspection cost in Perth in 2026?
Published prices in Perth start at about $300 for a basic check. At the top end, big homes, add-ons and premium packages can push past $1,500. A big part of that gap comes down to what’s included. Some quotes cover the building only, and the pest inspection gets added on later.
Our price for a combined building and pest inspection is $499 + GST, fixed. That’s the whole job: building inspection to AS 4349.1, timber pest and termite inspection, a photo report within 24 hours, and a phone call to walk you through it.
What pushes the price up?
The price you’re quoted comes down to a handful of things. Here’s how they usually play out across Perth.
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Size of the home | Many companies charge more for bigger homes. We quote a fixed price up front. |
| Pest inspection included or not | Some quotes are building only. Adding the pest inspection later often costs more than a combined booking. |
| Age and construction | Older homes and two-storey homes take longer to inspect properly. |
| Thermal imaging | Usually an upgrade. Ours is included in the Advanced inspection at $799 + GST. |
| Extra structures | Granny flats, large sheds and outbuildings add time. Ours are $89 + GST each. |
| Location | Some companies charge travel outside the metro area. |
| New build or existing home | New builds are priced per stage or per PCI, not as a pre-purchase inspection. |
Why we charge a fixed price
Plenty of companies quote by the square metre or bedroom count. In my view, quoting by size is how inspection companies pad the bill. You find out the real price after you’ve already booked.
We set one fixed price for a standard 4×2 home. You know the number before we turn up. Sheds, granny flats and extra travel are $89 + GST each. Buying something bigger or unusual? Call us on 1300 23 63 63 and we’ll give you the exact price before you book.
We also run a Price Beat Guarantee on comparable inspections. See the pricing page for how it works.
“If a company won’t tell you the price until they’ve seen the house, ask yourself why. A fixed price keeps everyone honest.”
Russell McCarthy
Standard or Advanced: which one should I book?
Our Standard building and pest inspection covers everything a pre-purchase inspection should: structure, roof, subfloor where there’s access, wet areas, site drainage, and a full timber pest and termite inspection. For most homes, it’s the right call.
The Advanced building and pest inspection is $799 + GST. It’s everything in the Standard inspection, plus thermal imaging. Thermal imaging picks up moisture and leaks behind walls and ceilings that you can’t see with your eyes. I recommend it for older homes, homes with a lot of wet areas, and anywhere that’s been freshly painted before sale.
What does a new build inspection cost?
New builds are priced differently because we’re checking construction against the plans, the NCC and the Australian Standards, not the condition of an old house.
Construction stage inspections are $399 + GST per stage. A standard PCI is $499 + GST and suits you if you’ve had stage inspections along the way. If you haven’t, the Advanced PCI at $999 + GST is the one to book. It adds a drone roof check, thermal imaging of ceiling insulation, a shower leak test and a full compliance check against your plans.
Is a building inspection worth the money?
On a $700,000 home, $499 + GST is well under a tenth of one per cent of the price. One missed defect costs more than that. A failed shower, a cracked roof tile letting water in, or termite activity in the roof frame typically runs into thousands to fix.
The report also gives you something to negotiate with. If we find a real defect, you can take it to the seller and ask for a price drop or a repair before settlement.
What should you get for your money?
Whatever company you book, check you’re getting these five things:
- A registered builder doing the inspection. Ask for the registration number.
- A combined building and pest inspection, not just a building check.
- A report with photos of every defect, not a tick-box list.
- A report within 24 hours, so you can act inside your contract’s inspection period.
- Someone who’ll pick up the phone and explain the report in plain English.
If you want to see what that looks like, have a look at our sample report.
What a cheap inspection can really cost
Here’s a pattern I see a few times a year. I’ll call the buyers the Parkers, and I’ve changed the details.
They booked the cheapest building-only quote they could find for a 1980s brick and tile home in Perth’s northern suburbs. No pest inspection, because it was extra. The report came back clean enough, they settled, and six months later a carpenter found termite damage in the roof frame while fixing a leak.
By the time the treatment and timber repairs were done, the bill had run into the thousands. A combined building and pest inspection would have cost them a little more up front, and the termite risk would have been on the report before they signed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a building and pest inspection in Perth?
At WA Building Inspections, a combined building and pest inspection is $499 + GST fixed for a standard 4×2 home, with the report delivered within 24 hours. The Advanced option with thermal imaging is $799 + GST.
Who pays for the building inspection, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer usually pays for a pre-purchase building inspection, and the report belongs to the buyer. Sellers sometimes book a pre-sale inspection so they know about any problems before a buyer’s inspector finds them.
How much does a practical completion inspection cost in Perth?
A standard PCI with WA Building Inspections is $499 + GST. The Advanced PCI is $999 + GST and is the better choice if you didn’t have stage inspections during your build.
Why do building inspection prices vary so much in Perth?
Prices vary because companies quote differently. Some price by house size or charge extra for pest inspections, reports or travel. Others, like us, charge one fixed price for a standard home. Always ask for the total price including GST before you book.
Is the cheapest building inspection good enough?
It depends on what’s in it. Check that a registered builder does the inspection, that timber pests are included, and that the report has photos of every defect. A cheaper price that leaves out the pest inspection often ends up costing more once you add it back.
How long does a building inspection take and when do I get the report?
A standard home takes around 2 to 3 hours to inspect. Our report is delivered within 24 hours, usually the same day, so you have time to act before your inspection period runs out.
Related Reading
- What does a building and pest inspection cover?
- Which building inspection do I need?
- How to choose the best building inspector in Perth
- Why your inspection should be done by a registered builder
- Is a building inspection worth it in Perth?
- How much does a termite inspection cost in Perth?
Written by Russell McCarthy, Registered Builder (BP104751) and Lead Building Inspector at WA Building Inspections Perth.