Buying a property in Canberra is a major financial decision, so it makes sense to understand the costs involved before you commit. One of the most important pre-purchase expenses is a building and pest inspection, which gives you a clearer picture of the property's condition before you sign on the dotted line. 

At CBR Property Inspections, a combined building and pest report costs $800 including GST. Larger or more complex properties may vary, and a firm quote is provided before booking. The combined inspection assesses the structural condition of the property and checks for timber pests on the same visit. 

But the price is only part of the equation. You also need to understand what the inspection covers, why prices can vary, and whether a combined report offers better value than arranging separate inspections. 

The report combines two important inspections into one: 

Inspection	What it checks
Building inspection	The structural condition of the property
Pest inspection	Termites, borers and wood decay
Combined report	Building and pest inspections completed together

The combined approach gives buyers one report covering both areas, rather than arranging separate appointments and reports. 

What Does a Building and Pest Inspection Include? 

The value of a building and pest inspection comes from the information it gives you about the property. 

At CBR Property Inspections, the building component assesses the property's structural condition against AS 4349.1, the Australian Standard for pre-purchase building inspections. The inspection is carried out in person by a licensed builder with more than 15 years of residential construction experience. 

The inspection considers areas such as the roof, walls, floors and footings, looking for movement, deterioration and damage. 

The pest component is carried out to AS 4349.3 and focuses on timber pests, including termites, borers and wood decay. 

The inspection covers accessible areas of the property, including the interior, exterior, roof void and subfloor. The surrounding grounds, outbuildings and other relevant areas can also be considered where safely accessible. 

Thermal Imaging and Other Inspection Methods 

A standard visual inspection does not always reveal everything. 

CBR Property Inspections also uses thermal imaging to help identify issues that may be hidden behind walls and ceilings. This can assist with identifying moisture, missing insulation and other concealed defects. 

The purpose is not to make the report sound more technical. It is to provide a clearer picture of what is happening in areas you cannot easily inspect yourself. 

Photographic Evidence 

Findings are supported by photographs, helping you understand exactly what an inspector found and where the issue is located. 

That can make a report easier to interpret, particularly when you are comparing several properties or trying to understand the potential significance of a defect. 

Is a Combined Building and Pest Inspection Better Value? 

For many buyers, combining the inspections makes financial and practical sense. 

CBR Property Inspections currently lists a building report at $650 and a pest inspection at $400 when booked separately. That would total $1,050 before considering the convenience of arranging two separate services. 

The combined building and pest report costs $800 including GST. 

That means the combined report costs $250 less than booking the two inspections separately based on the current listed prices. 

Option	Current listed price
Building report	$650
Pest inspection	$400
Building + pest separately	$1,050
Combined building and pest report	$800

The combined option also means both inspections take place together, giving you one coordinated assessment and one report. 

For a buyer working within a contract or auction timeframe, that simplicity can be useful. 

Why Can Building and Pest Inspection Costs Vary? 

Not every property presents the same inspection requirements. 

A standard residential property may be straightforward to assess, while a larger or more complex property can require more consideration. For this reason, CBR Property Inspections states that larger or more complex properties may vary from the standard listed price. 

The safest approach is to provide the property details when requesting a quote rather than assuming that every property will have exactly the same cost. 

The company provides a firm quote before booking, so you know the applicable price before proceeding. 

Why Should You Pay for a Building and Pest Inspection? 

A building and pest inspection is designed to help you make a more informed property decision. 

When you inspect a house yourself, you can identify obvious problems, but many important defects are not easy to spot without experience. Structural issues, moisture problems and timber pest activity can occur in places that are difficult to access or identify during a normal property viewing. 

An inspection gives you a professional assessment of areas that could influence your decision to purchase. 

It can help you understand: 

• The condition of the property's major structural elements 

• Whether signs of termites, borers or wood decay are present 

• Potential defects that may need attention 

• Conditions that could encourage future pest activity 

• Areas that deserve closer consideration before purchasing 

  
  

The report can then help you decide how you want to proceed. 

You may decide the property is suitable, negotiate based on identified issues, seek further advice or reconsider the purchase altogether. 

What Is the Difference Between a Building Inspection and a Building and Pest Inspection? 

A building inspection and a building and pest inspection are not the same thing. 

A building inspection focuses on the structural condition of the property. It assesses areas such as the roof, walls, floors and footings for issues including movement, deterioration and damage. 

A building and pest inspection adds a timber pest assessment. 

This second component looks for pests and timber-related problems such as termites, borers and wood decay. 

For buyers, the combined inspection can therefore provide a broader view of the property than a building inspection alone. 

You can learn more about the separate service through our building inspection service. 

For buyers, the combined inspection can therefore provide a broader view of the property than a building inspection alone. If you only need one component, CBR can also arrange a standalone building or pest inspection separately. 

What Happens After the Inspection? 

Once the onsite inspection is complete, the findings are compiled into a report. 

CBR Property Inspections states that most combined building and pest reports are delivered within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection. 

The report brings the building and pest findings together so you can review the condition of the property in one place. 

The goal is to make the findings understandable rather than burying the important information in technical language. Photographs accompany findings to show what was identified and where it was found. 

For buyers working to a contract deadline, receiving the report promptly can also give you more time to consider what the findings mean for your purchase decision. 

Building and Pest Inspection vs Building, Pest and Compliance Report 

Some Canberra properties may require more than a standard building and pest inspection. 

CBR Property Inspections also offers a Building, Pest and Compliance Report for ACT properties. This combines structural and timber pest assessments with a compliance check covering structures on the property. 

That can include structures such as extensions, decks, sheds and carports, where applicable. 

The compliance component addresses whether structures have the necessary approval and compliance, giving buyers another layer of information before they commit to a purchase. 

It is important to understand that this is a different service from a standard building and pest report, so you should choose the inspection based on the property and the information you need. 

How to Get a Quote for a Canberra Property? 

The current listed price for a combined building and pest report is $800 including GST, though the exact cost depends on the size and condition of the property. 

When making an enquiry, provide the property details and explain the type of inspection you need. 

This allows the inspection requirements and applicable price to be confirmed before you book. 

CBR Property Inspections provides building, pest and termite inspection services across Canberra, the ACT and surrounding NSW areas. 

Is a Building and Pest Inspection Worth the Cost? 

For a property purchase, the inspection cost is small compared with the financial commitment involved in buying the property. 

The real benefit is the information the inspection provides before you commit. 

A property may look fine during an inspection or open home, while defects or timber pest issues may remain difficult to identify without a professional assessment. A building and pest inspection gives you an independent report that can help you understand the property's condition before making a final decision. 

A property may look fine during an open home, while defects or timber pest issues remain difficult to identify without a professional assessment. An independent report helps you understand the property's condition before making a final decision. 

Final Thoughts 

Understanding the cost of a building and pest inspection in Canberra is straightforward when you look at what the service actually includes. 

CBR Property Inspections currently charges $800 including GST for a combined building and pest report. It brings together a structural condition assessment and timber pest inspection in one visit, with larger or more complex properties quoted separately. 

For buyers, the important question is not simply how much the inspection costs. It is what information you receive before making one of the biggest financial decisions you are likely to make. 

A professional inspection gives you a clearer understanding of the property before you commit, which is exactly when that information matters most. 

Contact CBR Property Inspections for a firm quote on your next Canberra property, or book your building and pest inspection today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a building and pest inspection cost in Canberra? 

A combined building and pest report from CBR Property Inspections costs $800 including GST. Larger or more complex properties may vary, and a firm quote is provided before booking. 

Is a building and pest inspection cheaper than booking separate inspections? 

Based on CBR Property Inspections' current listed prices, a building report costs $650 and a pest inspection costs $400 when booked separately. The combined building and pest report costs $800 including GST, making it $250 less than booking those two services separately. 

What does a building and pest inspection check? 

The building component assesses the structural condition of the property, while the pest component checks for timber pests including termites, borers and wood decay. 

How long does a building and pest report take? 

CBR Property Inspections states that most reports are delivered within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection. 

Can the price change for a larger property? 

Yes. Larger or more complex properties may have different pricing. CBR Property Inspections provides a firm quote before booking. 

Does a building inspection include a pest inspection? 

No. A building inspection focuses on structural condition. A building and pest inspection adds a separate timber pest assessment covering termites, borers and wood decay. 

Should I get a building and pest inspection before buying a house? 

A building and pest inspection can give you important information about the property's structural condition and timber pest activity before you commit to the purchase. It helps you make your decision with more information rather than relying only on what you can see during an inspection or open home.