What’s actually different

A building inspection covers structural and visual condition — cracks, slope, roof, wet areas, electrical, plumbing, safety items. It’s done to AS 4349.1.

A pest inspection covers termite activity, conducive conditions, and timber decay — done to AS 4349.3.

A combined building and pest inspection does both in one visit, with one inspector (or two co-ordinated) and one bundled report.

Why combined is the standard

In western-suburbs Melbourne — Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit — combined inspections are the default for purchase due diligence because:

• Cost — combined is typically 30–40% cheaper than booking two separate inspections.
• Coordination — termite damage and building defects often overlap (subfloor moisture causes both rot and termite conducive conditions). One inspector seeing both contexts catches more.
• Time — one site visit, one report, one PDF. Buyers under contract pressure don’t have time for two trips.
• Continuity — the pest inspector can flag conducive conditions to the building inspector, who notes them in the structural section.

When separate inspections make sense

• You’ve already had a building inspection (e.g. from the vendor) and just need pest.
• The home is post-2010 timber-construction in a high-termite-risk area and you want a specialist termite inspector with full Termatrac radar coverage at greater depth than a combined inspection includes.
• You’re inspecting a strata property where the building inspection covers shared walls only.

What both inspections include at Star Building Inspections

Combined building and pest at Star covers:

• Roof exterior, roof space, and ceiling void
• Subfloor (where access exists)
• Every accessible internal room — walls, ceilings, floors
• Wet areas — bathrooms, laundry, kitchen
• Electrical visual (switchboard, RCDs, smoke alarms)
• Drainage and stormwater
• Termite activity — visual + Termatrac T3i radar in suspect areas
• Termite conducive conditions — moisture, timber-soil contact, garden bed proximity
• Outbuildings — sheds, decks, fences (timber pest)

One PDF, photo-rich, AS 4349.1 + AS 4349.3 compliant, delivered same day.

What it costs

Combined inspections at Star use fixed-fee pricing — quoted upfront based on property size and inclusions. Most Melbourne western-suburbs homes fall in the $400–$600 range for combined building + pest. Separate inspections add ~30% on top.

For exact pricing call 0412 014 216 or see How Much Does a Building and Pest Inspection Cost.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to choose combined?

No — you can book building only or pest only. Most buyers choose combined because the cost difference is small and the coverage is comprehensive.

Can the same inspector do both?

At Star, yes. Michael Tuder is a VBA-registered builder and a licensed timber pest inspector — same person, same site visit, same report.

Do I need pest inspection on a brick veneer home?

Yes. Termites attack the timber framing inside the brick veneer; the brick is just a skin. Most western-suburbs homes are brick veneer with timber framing — they’re vulnerable.

What if termites are found?

The report documents the activity, location, and severity. You then decide: walk away, negotiate the price down, or require treatment as a contract condition. The inspection gives you the leverage.

Book a combined building and pest inspection

Pre-Purchase Building & Pest Inspection — Melbourne West — VBA-registered builder + Termatrac termite radar, same-day reports.

Related guides:
– What Does a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Actually Check?
– How Much Does a Building and Pest Inspection Cost in Melbourne (2026)?
– 5 Defects Pre-Purchase Inspections Find in Older Melbourne Homes

Call Michael direct on 0412 014 216 for a fixed-price quote — combined inspections across all of Melbourne’s western suburbs.