Inspection Pricing
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The BuildWise Standard
Every BuildWise inspection is personally carried out by James – a registered builder with 20+ years’ experience.His hands-on knowledge means you get more than a checklist: you get builder-level insight and early defect detection that protects your investment.
Existing homes & off the plan building inspection
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection (Existing or Off-the-Plan)
- Purpose: To provide you with a clear understanding of the property’s true condition before committing to purchase. This helps identify potential safety risks, structural issues, or costly defects early.
- What We Check: Structural integrity, subfloor and roof space condition, moisture ingress or water damage, plumbing and electrical concerns, pest activity, safety hazards, and general maintenance issues.
- When to Book: Ideally before signing the contract, or during the cooling-off period to allow negotiation or withdrawal if major defects are found.
Price from $499 (incl GST)
Pest Inspection
- Purpose: To identify any signs of timber pest activity or damage - including termites, borers, or fungal decay - that may compromise the structure or safety of a property.
- Why We Refer to a Specialist: At BuildWise Inspections, our focus is on the building’s structure, workmanship, and compliance components. James is a highly specialised building professional, concentrating on the quality, integrity, and performance of construction — not pest management.
- While James has completed the nationally recognised five-day timber pest inspection course and performs a general visual pest check during each building inspection, we believe pest detection requires deeper, ongoing expertise than this basic qualification provides.
- That’s why we work closely with a trusted, fully licensed pest inspection specialist who focuses solely on timber pest detection and reporting. This ensures every client receives a comprehensive, accurate, and independent assessment.
- How It Works: When a pest inspection is requested, we coordinate directly with our preferred pest partner, allowing your building and pest inspections to be completed efficiently and reported together.
Referral to Specialist Pest Inspector.
Thermal Imaging Scan
- Purpose: To detect hidden issues within your home’s structure that aren’t visible to the eye - such as moisture leaks, insulation gaps, water ingress, or electrical hotspots - helping to prevent costly future damage.
- What We Check: Using a high-resolution infrared camera, we scan key areas including walls, ceilings, floors, bathrooms, and electrical panels. The scan highlights temperature variations that may indicate moisture, air leaks, missing insulation, or overheating circuits.
- How It Works: Thermal imaging can be added to any BuildWise inspection or booked as a standalone service. Your inspector captures relevant images and includes them in your detailed report with explanations of any anomalies detected - providing an extra layer of assurance and visual clarity.
Price from $149 (incl GST)
Comprehensive Photo Library
- Purpose: To provide a detailed visual record of your property at the time of inspection. This option complements your written report and serves as a transparent reference for future works, insurance, or builder discussions.
- What We Check: All key areas - internal, external, and roof (where accessible) - are systematically photographed, highlighting workmanship, materials, and notable findings. Each image is labelled and referenced to its inspection stage for clarity.
- How It Works: When selected, BuildWise captures and compiles a comprehensive, high-resolution image set during the inspection. Photos are securely delivered with your report or via a private gallery link, giving you a complete visual record of your home’s condition and construction quality.
Price from $99 (incl GST)
New Build Stage Inspections
New Build Stage Inspections - Bundle Pack
- Purpose: To provide complete, independent oversight across all five key stages of your new home build — ensuring every critical milestone is inspected by a registered builder before the next stage proceeds.
- What’s Included:
- ⦁ Pre-Pour (Slab) Inspection
- ⦁ Frame Stage Inspection
- ⦁ Pre-Plaster Inspection
- ⦁ Fix & Waterproofing Inspection
- ⦁ Pre-Handover Inspection
- Why Choose the Bundle: Designed for Victorian families who want full confidence, independent guidance, and peace of mind at every stage — all at a discounted package rate with priority scheduling.
Price from $1599 (incl GST)
Pre-Pour (Slab) Stage Inspection
- Purpose: To confirm that the foundation setup of your new home meets engineering specifications and Australian Standards before concrete placement. This stage ensures long-term structural stability and prevents costly future defects.
- What We Check: Ground preparation, formwork alignment and dimensions, vapour barrier condition and overlaps, steel reinforcement layout and cover, plumbing and electrical penetrations, termite protection systems, and slab level accuracy.
- When to Book: Once the site has been fully prepared and all contractors have completed their pre-pour work — before any concrete is poured.
Price from $399 (incl GST)
Frame Stage Inspection
- Purpose: To verify that the wall and roof framing has been constructed in accordance with approved plans, engineering, and the National Construction Code. This ensures your home’s structural framework is safe, stable, and compliant.
- What We Check: Wall and roof frame alignment, bracing and tie-downs, load-bearing wall connections, lintels, truss installation, window and door openings, and the overall workmanship and structural integrity of the build.
- When to Book: After the frame is fully erected and roof trusses are fixed, but before any wall wrap, insulation, or cladding is installed.
Price from $399 (incl GST)
Pre-Plaster Stage Inspection
- Purpose: To ensure your home is sealed, straight, and ready for internal linings. This stage confirms that structural and external elements are complete and weatherproof before plaster is applied.
- What We Check: Roof coverings and flashings, wall cladding and brickwork, cavity seals, window and door installation, wall wrap and sarking, service penetrations, and moisture protection around external openings.
- When to Book: After the roof, windows, and external doors are installed, and all external cladding, flashings, and seals are complete. Internal plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling rough-ins must also be finished, along with the carpenter’s internal lock-up works — before plasterboard or insulation installation begins.
Price from $399 (incl GST)
Fix & Waterproofing Stage Inspection
- Purpose: This inspection ensures all internal fix carpentry, cabinetry, and waterproofing are completed to standard before tiling or final finishes begin. It confirms your home’s interior is straight, well-aligned, and watertight.
- Waterproofing is one of the highest-risk stages of construction - when it fails, the damage is often hidden until it becomes expensive to fix. The two most common issues from poor waterproofing are:
- ⦁ Moisture damage inside walls or floors, leading to structural deterioration.
- ⦁ Mould growth, affecting both the building’s materials and indoor air quality.
- Because waterproofing is not a licensed trade in Victoria, and builders are not required to check it against code, this stage is frequently overlooked. A BuildWise inspection provides the independent verification needed to ensure your wet areas are compliant with AS 3740 and built to last.
- What We Check: Internal fix works - including doors, jambs, skirtings, architraves, shelving, and cabinetry - for alignment and workmanship.
- Wet areas for correct membrane coverage, junction sealing, shower bases, penetrations, and curing quality.
- When to Book: After all internal fix carpentry and cabinetry are complete, and once waterproofing membranes have been applied and cured - before tiling, painting, or final finishes commence.
Price from $399 (incl GST)
Pre-Handover Stage Inspection
- Purpose: A comprehensive quality and compliance assessment conducted at the completion of your build to ensure all works meet contractual, aesthetic, and functional standards before settlement or key handover.
- What We Check: Internal and external finishes, paintwork, fixtures and fittings, joinery, tiling, doors and windows, appliances, wet area integrity, and overall presentation. Functionality checks include windows, doors, taps, and electrical fittings.
- When to Book: At Practical Completion (Handover) — once the builder advises your home is ready for inspection, prior to final payment or key collection.
Price from $399 (incl GST)
Re- Inspection (After Rectification)
- Purpose: To confirm that all previously identified defects or issues have been professionally repaired and now meet the required building standards.
- What We Check: Each previously reported item is re-inspected to ensure it has been rectified, finished to an acceptable standard, and that no new damage has been introduced. All rectified areas are photographically documented for clear comparison with the original report.
- How It Works: Once your builder or trades have confirmed rectification is complete, simply book a Re-Inspection through BuildWise.
- We’ll revisit the property, verify each item, and provide photo confirmation of all repairs - giving you a transparent record of your home’s final condition.
Price from $299 (incl GST)
3-Month Maintenance Stage Inspection
- Purpose: To identify any issues that have developed since moving in. Some defects only become visible once the home has been lived in — when heating and cooling systems are in use, water pressure is consistent, and materials have settled or expanded from temperature and sunlight exposure.
- What We Check: All elements covered in the Pre-Handover Inspection, excluding minor cosmetic wear from occupation. Particular focus is placed on movement cracks, sticking doors or windows, plumbing leaks, and warranty-related defects that may need rectification.
- When to Book: Toward the end of your builder’s Maintenance or Defects Liability Period, but before it expires — ensuring all issues are reported in time.
Price from $299 (incl GST)
See More. Know More. Build Wise
Each inspection is personally carried out by James, ensuring builder – level detail and early defect detection
Pre-Pour (Slab) Inspection
- Purpose: To confirm that the foundation setup of your new home meets engineering specifications and Australian Standards before concrete placement. This stage ensures long-term structural stability and prevents costly future defects.
- What We Check: Ground preparation, formwork alignment and dimensions, vapour barrier condition and overlaps, steel reinforcement layout and cover, plumbing and electrical penetrations, termite protection systems, and slab level accuracy.
- When to Book: Once the site has been fully prepared and all contractors have completed their pre-pour work — before any concrete is poured.
Frame Stage Inspection
- Purpose: To verify that the wall and roof framing has been constructed in accordance with approved plans, engineering, and the National Construction Code. This ensures your home’s structural framework is safe, stable, and compliant.
- What We Check: Wall and roof frame alignment, bracing and tie-downs, load-bearing wall connections, lintels, truss installation, window and door openings, and the overall workmanship and structural integrity of the build.
- When to Book: After the frame is fully erected and roof trusses are fixed, but before any wall wrap, insulation, or cladding is installed.
Pre-Plaster Inspection
- Purpose: To ensure your home is sealed, straight, and ready for internal linings. This stage confirms that structural and external elements are complete and weatherproof before plaster is applied.
- What We Check: Roof coverings and flashings, wall cladding and brickwork, cavity seals, window and door installation, wall wrap and sarking, service penetrations, and moisture protection around external openings.
- When to Book: After the roof, windows, and external doors are installed, and all external cladding, flashings, and seals are complete. Internal plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling rough-ins must also be finished, along with the carpenter’s internal lock-up works — before plasterboard or insulation installation begins.
Fix & Waterproofing Inspection
- Purpose: This inspection ensures all internal fix carpentry, cabinetry, and waterproofing are completed to standard before tiling or final finishes begin. It confirms your home’s interior is straight, well-aligned, and watertight.
- Waterproofing is one of the highest-risk stages of construction — when it fails, the damage is often hidden until it becomes expensive to fix. The two most common issues from poor waterproofing are:
- Moisture damage inside walls or floors, leading to structural deterioration.
- Mould growth, affecting both the building’s materials and indoor air quality.
- Because waterproofing is not a licensed trade in Victoria, and builders are not required to check it against code, this stage is frequently overlooked. A BuildWise inspection provides the independent verification needed to ensure your wet areas are compliant with AS 3740 and built to last.
- What We Check: Internal fix works — including doors, jambs, skirtings, architraves, shelving, and cabinetry — for alignment and workmanship.
- Wet areas for correct membrane coverage, junction sealing, shower bases, penetrations, and curing quality.
- When to Book: After all internal fix carpentry and cabinetry are complete, and once waterproofing membranes have been applied and cured — before tiling, painting, or final finishes commence.
Pre-Handover / PCI Inspection
- Purpose: A comprehensive quality and compliance assessment conducted at the completion of your build to ensure all works meet contractual, aesthetic, and functional standards before settlement or key handover.
- What We Check: Internal and external finishes, paintwork, fixtures and fittings, joinery, tiling, doors and windows, appliances, wet area integrity, and overall presentation. Functionality checks include windows, doors, taps, and electrical fittings.
- When to Book: At Practical Completion (Handover) — once the builder advises your home is ready for inspection, prior to final payment or key collection.
3-Month Maintenance Inspection
- Purpose: To identify any issues that have developed since moving in. Some defects only become visible once the home has been lived in — when heating and cooling systems are in use, water pressure is consistent, and materials have settled or expanded from temperature and sunlight exposure.
- What We Check: All elements covered in the Pre-Handover Inspection, excluding minor cosmetic wear from occupation. Particular focus is placed on movement cracks, sticking doors or windows, plumbing leaks, and warranty-related defects that may need rectification.
- When to Book: Toward the end of your builder’s Maintenance or Defects Liability Period, but before it expires — ensuring all issues are reported in time.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection (Existing or Off-the-Plan)
- Purpose: To provide you with a clear understanding of the property’s true condition before committing to purchase. This helps identify potential safety risks, structural issues, or costly defects early.
- What We Check: Structural integrity, subfloor and roof space condition, moisture ingress or water damage, plumbing and electrical concerns, pest activity, safety hazards, and general maintenance issues.
- When to Book: Ideally before signing the contract, or during the cooling-off period to allow negotiation or withdrawal if major defects are found.
Optional Add-Ons
Purpose: Provide extra verification, visual detail, or faster turnaround.
What We Check / Include
Re-Inspection (After Rectification)
- Purpose: To confirm that all previously identified defects or issues have been professionally repaired and now meet the required building standards.
- What We Check: Each previously reported item is re-inspected to ensure it has been rectified, finished to an acceptable standard, and that no new damage has been introduced. All rectified areas are photographically documented for clear comparison with the original report.
- How It Works: Once your builder or trades have confirmed rectification is complete, simply book a Re-Inspection through BuildWise.
- We’ll revisit the property, verify each item, and provide photo confirmation of all repairs - giving you a transparent record of your home’s final condition.
Pest Inspection
- Purpose: To identify any signs of timber pest activity or damage - including termites, borers, or fungal decay - that may compromise the structure or safety of a property.
- Why We Refer to a Specialist: At BuildWise Inspections, our focus is on the building’s structure, workmanship, and compliance components. James is a highly specialised building professional, concentrating on the quality, integrity, and performance of construction — not pest management.
- While James has completed the nationally recognised five-day timber pest inspection course and performs a general visual pest check during each building inspection, we believe pest detection requires deeper, ongoing expertise than this basic qualification provides.
- That’s why we work closely with a trusted, fully licensed pest inspection specialist who focuses solely on timber pest detection and reporting. This ensures every client receives a comprehensive, accurate, and independent assessment.
- How It Works: When a pest inspection is requested, we coordinate directly with our preferred pest partner, allowing your building and pest inspections to be completed efficiently and reported together.
Thermal Imaging Scan
- Purpose: To detect hidden issues within your home’s structure that aren’t visible to the eye - such as moisture leaks, insulation gaps, water ingress, or electrical hotspots - helping to prevent costly future damage.
- What We Check: Using a high-resolution infrared camera, we scan key areas including walls, ceilings, floors, bathrooms, and electrical panels. The scan highlights temperature variations that may indicate moisture, air leaks, missing insulation, or overheating circuits.
- How It Works: Thermal imaging can be added to any BuildWise inspection or booked as a standalone service.
- Your inspector captures relevant images and includes them in your detailed report with explanations of any anomalies detected - providing an extra layer of assurance and visual clarity.
Comprehensive Photo Library
- Purpose: To provide a detailed visual record of your property at the time of inspection. This option complements your written report and serves as a transparent reference for future works, insurance, or builder discussions.
- What We Check: All key areas - internal, external, and roof (where accessible) - are systematically photographed, highlighting workmanship, materials, and notable findings. Each image is labelled and referenced to its inspection stage for clarity.
- How It Works: When selected, BuildWise captures and compiles a comprehensive, high-resolution image set during the inspection. Photos are securely delivered with your report or via a private gallery link, giving you a complete visual record of your home’s condition and construction quality.
Optional Add-Ons
Purpose: Provide extra verification, visual detail, or faster turnaround.
What We Check / Include
Re-Inspection (After Rectification)
Verify repairs with photo confirmation.
Combined Building & Pest Package
Adds pest/termite inspection to any stage.
Thermal Imaging Scan
Detects hidden moisture or structural issues.
Comprehensive Photo Library
Expanded visual documentation of your home.
24-Hour Priority Report Delivery
Fast-tracked reporting for time-sensitive clients.
When to Book
Can be added at any stage or requested during scheduling.
