How long does a building and pest inspection take?
Buying a new home is a thrilling experience. It’s not something you should rush into, however. The money involved should encourage you to take your time with it.
You’ll need to ensure that you’re getting what you pay for. That’s where a building and pest inspection comes into play.
You could be itching to sign on the dotted line. While you’ll want to make sure things are above board, you’ll keep wondering, “how long does a building and pest inspection take?”
Though the answer should be relatively simple, there’s more to it than you’d expect. Multiple factors will come into play.
You’ll need to keep these in mind before you contact a building and pest inspector.
How Long Does A Building And Pest Inspection Take?
‘How long does a building and pest inspection take’ is one of the most commonly asked questions an inspector is asked. The short answer is that it typically lasts between 90 minutes and two hours.
Multiple factors will affect this, however. How large the property is will be the most prominent. The larger it is, the more time it will take to inspect.
The overall condition of the property will also play a role in this. If it’s in a state of disrepair, it’ll take time to document and verify each of the problems in the building.
On the other hand, a new build should be much faster than this. The type of foundation, additional buildings on the property, and more will also play a role in the inspection’s length.
Then there are the various types of building and pest inspections you can have. There are a few to choose from:
- Comprehensive Building and Pest Inspections: Typically the most in-depth building and pest inspections you can get, these will take the most time. The inspector will look over the property from top to bottom and nothing will be missed. That involves thoroughly checking every part of the home.
- New Home Inspection: Usually the shortest inspection you can choose, although it could still take close to an hour or more. The inspector will make sure that everything was built to safety standards and regulations.
- Structural Inspection: While this isn’t as comprehensive as others, a structural inspection will focus on the main structural areas. You wouldn’t get any information about various aspects of the property, such as the fencing and other areas.
What type of inspection you should get depends on your specific circumstances. It’s worth getting in touch to determine what the best building and pest inspection you’ll need.
You’ll also get a more specific answer to “how long does a building inspection take?”
What Happens During A Building And Pest Inspection?
Alongside wondering how long a building and pest inspection lasts, you’ll likely have a few other questions in mind. Some of the more notable focus on what’s involved in these inspections.
Professional inspectors will be more than happy to talk you through their process before starting. It’s recommended that you speak with your inspector in-depth before starting.
You can expect these inspections to go relatively similarly. After hiring an inspector, they’ll come to the property at the prearranged day and time.
While there, they’ll conduct an assessment of the property’s condition. That entails the inspector checking the house from top to bottom and making notes.
Utilising their experience, they’ll identify any issues that they discover. These range from water damage and mold to cracks in the foundation and other structural problems.
During this time, they’ll make extensive documentation, including taking notes and photographs. These will subsequently be compiled in a report outlining their assessment.
Wrapping Up
So, how long does a building and pest inspection take? It can vary from property to property. It shouldn’t take longer than a few hours, however.
While there are options that could be much faster, these will be less in-depth than others. It’s recommended that you go for a more comprehensive option.
Though that’ll take more time, it’ll ensure that any and all potential issues are identified. If nothing turns up, then you can rest easy knowing that there aren’t structural problems.
When it comes to your property, it’s best to err on the side of caution. The less time an inspector has to do their job, the less likely it is that they can identify any issues.