Building Inspections

Why Choose Master Building Inspectors

Master Building Inspectors provide expert building inspections for homebuyers, owners, and investors. Our licensed builder inspectors identify defects, safety hazards, and poor workmanship, delivering detailed photo-documented reports within 24 hours. Whether you’re purchasing a property or checking your existing home, our building inspections give you confidence and peace of mind.

✅ Licensed WA Builders, not just inspectors
✅ Fully insured with Public Liability & Professional Indemnity
✅ Extensive trade and construction backgrounds
✅ Detailed photo reports delivered within 24 hours
✅ Serving Perth homeowners, buyers, and investors with integrity

Trusted by Perth homeowners and investors — over 20,000 inspections completed.
Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by clients for accuracy, reliability, and clear reporting.

Building inspections in Perth start from just $440. Combined building and timber pest inspections are also available for complete protection.

Understanding the Property Purchase Process

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The process of purchasing a property in Perth can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. Hidden defects may not be obvious during a quick walkthrough and can lead to unexpected costs after settlement.

A professional building inspection provides peace of mind by identifying structural issues, safety concerns, and poor workmanship before you commit. Our reports are written in plain English, supported by photographs, and comply with AS 4349.1 standards.

By organising a building inspection early, you protect yourself during negotiations. Defects identified in our report can be raised with the seller, ensuring repairs are made or the purchase price is adjusted before contracts are finalised.

With Master Building Inspectors, you benefit from the guidance of a licensed builder who understands Perth’s construction standards. This independent advice helps you make an informed decision and move forward with confidence.

Book your pre-purchase building inspection Perth today and move forward with confidence in your investment.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ They identified a critical brickwork issue during our pre-purchase inspection. The owner fixed it before settlement — saving us thousands!
— Sarah, Fremantle

Building Inspection Services Perth – Australian Standard 4349.1

AS 4349.1 – 2007 Inspection of buildings.

Inspection of Buildings, Part 1: Pre-purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings, details the minimum requirements a pre-purchase building report must meet.
The standard also states that the inspector must be suitably qualified and experienced to provide advice to prospective buyers.

The standard covers all freestanding, semi-detached, terrace and villa houses along with townhouse and multi-unit buildings.

Prior to a building inspection taking place, a pre-inspection agreement is always required to be issued. This agreement between the client and inspector defines the purpose, scope and acceptance criteria upon which the inspection is undertaken. Never engage the services of a building inspection firm who do not issue this documentation.

The building on which the inspection is being undertaken is always required to be compared with a similar building in age and construction type and in accordance with the accepted practices at the time of construction. The comparison is also assessed against a building which is in reasonable condition.

                              

Significant Items Relating to Building Inspections & Property Inspection Reports 

The definitions of the significant items identified in each report are detailed as follows:

1. Safety Hazards: any major defect that is an urgent safety hazard to occupants.
2. Major Defect: defects that require rectification works to avoid the development of unsafe conditions.
3. Minor Defect: commonly identified in most properties including cracking to walls and ceilings, corrosion of materials and general deterioration.

Recommendations may also be given for further specialist inspections by qualified trades.

Where cracking has occurred to masonry walls, the damage is categorised as per Australian Standard AS 2870: Residential slabs and footings requirements.

This standard describes typical damage and assigns a damage category based on the crack width. This category will then determine the required remedial works. The damage is categorised from 0 – Negligible to 4 – Severe. Crack width limits are increased by 50% for easily repaired plasterboard partitions.

Master Building Inspectors building inspection reports are always presented with a clear and comprehensive approach, along with evidenced based conclusions detailing the overall condition of the property.

Local Service Areas

We provide building inspections across all Perth suburbs, including Joondalup, Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah, Ellenbrook, Wanneroo, and Canning Vale. Wherever your property is located, our inspectors deliver the same high-quality, AS 4349.1-compliant service.

Common Defects We Identify

During our building inspections, some of the most common defects we identify include:

• Cracking in walls and ceilings
• Inadequate roof tie-downs or bracing
• Poor waterproofing in wet areas
• Sub-standard brickwork and mortar joints
• Termite or timber pest damage
• Non-compliant electrical or plumbing installations

Catching these issues early helps buyers and homeowners save thousands in potential repair costs.

Ready for peace of mind? Book your Perth building inspection today — report in 24 hours.

Cracking to Masonry Walls – What is Considered Defective During a Building Inspection? 

Cracking of a building element is a structural defect, where in the opinion of the inspector, the present or expected consequence of the cracking is that the structural performance of the building element is impaired, or where the cracking is the result of the structural behaviour of the building.

Unfortunately cracking to walls and ceilings is quite common in Perth. There are many benefits of having a full brick home (masonry external & internal walls), however cracking is not one of them!

Masonry walls provide a rigid structure without much flexibility. When slight movement occurs to the slab, or environment conditions (heat/cold) occur, cracking to the internal walls can be the result. Cracking to the cornice, commonly known as cornice cracking is also commonly identified.

This even occurs in newly built homes! Typically which is caused by friction/movement at the cornice/plaster wall junction between these dissimilar materials. Many Perth builders are now dry lining the internal walls with plasterboard instead of render. This allows for the plasterboard walls and ceiling to be of the same material, thus minimising cracking.

If you’re concerned about cracking, contact us to arrange a building inspection in Perth.

Perth’s Building Inspection Industry, Is It Regulated? 

No, unfortunately the building inspection industry in Perth is currently unregulated. Currently anyone can call themselves a building inspector and do not require any certification or paperwork. Many firms in Perth call themselves qualified or registered building inspectors. In reality, there is no such title.

If you are considering price shopping around for your pre-purchase building report, it is strongly advised that you request the qualifications of the building inspector.

We hear too many stories of disputes arising from building inspectors missing obvious defects. Therefore, there is a huge risk having an unqualified building inspector assessing your property.

The WA Building Commission also has their own recommendations for consumers when it comes to purchasing a property. Keystart are a government lending organisation that have recently introduced requirements for building inspector qualifications in their contracts.

Pre-purchase building inspections conducted on behalf of Keystarts clients, must be undertaken by either a registered builder or structural engineer. This is a huge step in the right direction!

Combined Building & Pest Inspections

To ensure a thorough inspection, our combined building & pest inspections are undertaken by two qualified inspectors. This is generally conducted at the same time and they work together throughout the inspection.

Most companies only use 1 building inspector for both inspections!

You will be provided within 24 hours of the inspection, a comprehensive & professional building and pest report.  These reports will be jargon free, with digital photographs highlighting areas of concern.

The inspectors will also call if specific major structural issues have been detected.

Master Building Inspectors building & pest reports throughout Perth are in strict accordance with the Australian Standards requirements; AS 4349.1 & AS 4349.3.

Master Building Inspectors reports also contains a conclusion. This gives an overall impression of the property – relative to similar properties of approximately the same age and construction type that have been reasonably well maintained.

Building Inspection reports are available within 24 hours of the building inspection, or same day if required.

Perth property buyers are strongly recommended to add a combined building & pest inspection into their contract of sale. These reports will provide you with full insight into any structural or termite related issues with the property. Further information can be found via our Master Building Inspectors blog.

We are available with a few day’s notice to conduct Building Inspections and Pest Inspections Perth wide from Monday to Saturday.

Inspection Process Explained

Our building inspection process is simple and transparent:

1. Booking – Choose your inspection type and convenient time.

2. On-Site Assessment – A licensed builder inspects the property in detail.

3. Photo-Documented Report – Delivered within 24 hours, referencing Australian Standards and the NCC.

4. Follow-Up Support – We are available to discuss the report and answer your questions.

This structured process ensures clarity, accuracy, and peace of mind.

Why Building Inspections Are Essential for Property Buyers

Building inspections are crucial for property buyers as they provide valuable insights into the condition of the property. By identifying any structural defects or potential issues, buyers can avoid purchasing a property that may require costly repairs in the future. This can save buyers thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses and ensure the property is a sound investment.

Additionally, building inspections give buyers leverage during negotiations with sellers. If significant issues are uncovered during the inspection, buyers can either request repairs or a price reduction to compensate for the necessary work. This allows buyers to make informed decisions and protect their interests when purchasing a property.

Frequently Asked Questions About Building Inspections in Perth

[saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h4″ question-0=”Q: Are your building inspection reports compliant with AS 4349.1? ” answer-0=”A: Yes. All of our reports are AS 4349.1 compliant and reference relevant NCC and Australian Standards clauses.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h4″ question-1=”Q: How long does it take to receive a building inspection report? ” answer-1=”A: Reports are delivered within 24 hours of the inspection and include photos of all identified issues.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h4″ question-2=”Q: Do you service all Perth suburbs?” answer-2=” A: Yes, our building inspectors cover the entire Perth metro area, including Joondalup, Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah, Wanneroo, and more.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h4″ question-3=”Q: Can I combine a building inspection with a timber pest inspection?” answer-3=” A: Absolutely. We offer combined building and timber pest inspections to save time and provide full property protection.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h4″ question-4=”Q: How much does a building inspection cost in Perth? ” answer-4=”A: Building inspections in Perth start from around $440. Costs vary depending on property size, inspection type, and whether you include a timber pest inspection. See our Building Inspection Costs page for more details.” image-4=”” headline-5=”h4″ question-5=”Q: Who is qualified to carry out a building inspection in Perth? ” answer-5=”A: In Perth, anyone can technically call themselves an inspector, as the industry is unregulated. At Master Building Inspectors, all of our inspectors are licensed builders registered with the WA Building Commission. This ensures your inspection is completed by experienced professionals who understand construction standards.” image-5=”” count=”6″ html=”true”]

AS-4349.1-2007-Inspection-of-buildings-Pre-purchase-inspections-Residential-buildings (1) can be found here.

Learn more about our full range of building inspections in Perth, provided by registered builders and AS 4349.1 qualified inspectors.

Explore our latest inspection insights for Perth buyers — costs, common defects, and timing. — see our latest articles.