What it is
What's a pre-purchase building inspection?
It's an independent, structural and aesthetic inspection of a property you're considering buying, conducted before you sign the contract or before cooling-off ends. The point is to flag any defects, safety concerns or expensive surprises so you can negotiate, walk away, or buy with both eyes open.
The Wayfare report is prepared to AS 4349.1, the Australian standard for pre-purchase property inspections. You can show it to your conveyancer, your lender, or a builder for repair quotes — it's a properly weighted, professionally written document.
What's covered
What we inspect
Every system, every room, top to bottom. Here's what gets eyes, hands and (where needed) a torch or ladder on it.
Structural elements
Foundations, slab, framing, walls, floors, ceilings, roof structure, sub-floor where accessible. Looking for movement, cracking, sagging, deflection, water damage.
Exterior
Cladding, brickwork, render, paint, eaves, gutters and downpipes, driveways, paths, fencing. Looking for weathering, separation, water management, decay.
Roof & roof void
Tiles or sheeting, flashings, ridge capping, soffits. Inside the roof space — insulation, sarking, framing, signs of leaks, vermin or compromised structure.
Interior
Every room. Floors, walls, ceilings, joinery, doors and windows, wet areas. Visual check of finishes, paint, levelness, evidence of movement or moisture.
Wet areas
Bathrooms, ensuites, laundry, kitchen. Tile condition, grout, sealant, evidence of failed waterproofing, fixture condition.
Sub-floor & services (visual)
Sub-floor ventilation, evidence of moisture or movement, accessible plumbing and electrical (visual only — not testing). Hot water unit age and condition.
Honest scope
What's NOT covered (and what to do instead)
A pre-purchase building inspection is a visual, non-invasive assessment. It is not the same as:
- Timber pest inspection — that's a separate report by a licensed pest specialist. We recommend booking your timber-pest inspection directly with a licensed pest specialist alongside the building inspection.
- Compliance certification — we don't certify works, we don't approve renovations, we don't sign off on the BCA.
- Electrical or plumbing testing — we visually inspect. If a fixture or circuit needs testing, that requires a licensed sparkie or plumber.
- Hidden defects behind plasterboard, in cavities or under floor coverings — if it can't be seen without invasive work, it can't be reported. Where we suspect a hidden issue, we'll flag it and recommend further investigation.
This is an industry standard, not a Wayfare-specific limit. We are upfront about scope because we'd rather you understand the report than be disappointed by it.
The deliverable
The report you receive
Format
Photo-rich PDF
Structured by area, photographed throughout, written in plain English. Every significant finding has a severity rating: safety · major · minor · cosmetic · maintenance.
Visuals
Photos throughout
Every notable finding has at least one photograph showing what was observed and where on the property.
Severity ratings
Clear, ranked findings
Every significant defect or concern flagged with a severity rating: safety · major · minor · cosmetic · maintenance. So you know what's urgent, what's negotiable, and what's normal wear and tear.
Pricing
From $495. Quote in 30 seconds.
Pre-purchase building inspection
from $495 inc. GST
Final price depends on the buildings on site — more bedrooms, sheds, granny flats, stumps, double-storey or a pool add to the base. We charge for time on the tools, never for block size.
- Full inspection to AS 4349.1
- Photo-rich PDF report
- Severity rating on every significant finding
- Report delivered within 24 hours of inspection