Quick answer: A combined building and pest inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours on site for a standard 3-4 bedroom home, plus a few hours to compile the report. At Star Building Inspections, the written PDF report is delivered the same day — usually by 6pm. Booking lead time across Melbourne’s western suburbs is 1-3 business days.
On-site time breakdown
| Property type | On-site time |
|---|---|
| Apartment / unit | 1–1.5 hours |
| 3 bed home | 2–2.5 hours |
| 4 bed home | 2.5–3 hours |
| 5+ bed / large home / dual occ | 3–4 hours |
| Acreage / multiple structures | 4+ hours |
What takes the time on site
A thorough inspection isn’t just walking through. Each system gets time:
- Exterior (30-45 min) — walk perimeter, photograph every elevation, examine roof from outside, check gutters, fascia, render, brickwork
- Roof space (15-30 min) — access via manhole, inspect rafters, insulation, sarking, evidence of leaks, vermin, electrical
- Subfloor (15-30 min) — where access exists, crawl space inspection for moisture, timber decay, plumbing leaks
- Interior — every room (30-45 min) — walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, electrical fixtures
- Wet areas (15 min) — bathrooms, kitchen, laundry — silicone, tile movement, taps, evidence of leaks
- Termite inspection (15-30 min) — Termatrac T3i radar in suspect areas, conducive conditions check
- Outbuildings + drainage (15 min) — sheds, decks, fences, stormwater
- Wrap-up walk-through with you (15 min) — verbal summary of findings
Report turnaround
After the on-site work:
- Photo organisation — 100-200+ photos per inspection are sorted by area
- Defect classification — major / minor / safety; each defect gets a location, severity, and recommended action
- AS 4349.1 compliance — the report follows the standard’s structure
- Cross-referencing — termite findings tie back to building defects (subfloor moisture etc.)
- PDF delivery — single document, emailed direct, also to your conveyancer if requested
Same-day delivery is the standard. Inspections done in the morning are typically delivered by 4pm; afternoon inspections by 6pm-7pm.
Booking lead time in Melbourne’s west
Star Building Inspections is based in Hoppers Crossing. Typical booking lead time across the western corridor:
- Standard booking — 1-3 business days from call to inspection
- Urgent / next-day — usually possible if booked before noon
- Same-day — only when the schedule has a cancellation
Tight contract timelines (particularly auction-week purchases) should call 0412 014 216 as early as possible to lock in the inspection date.
Can I attend the inspection?
Yes — and we recommend it. Buyers who attend get:
– Live walkthrough of issues as we find them
– Direct conversation with the inspector about severity
– The chance to ask questions on the spot
Plan for the last 30-45 minutes of the inspection if you want to attend the wrap-up walkthrough specifically.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it take 2-3 hours? My friend said theirs was done in an hour.
A 1-hour inspection misses things. Major insurers and conveyancers won’t accept inspection reports that are clearly rushed. AS 4349.1-compliant inspections take time because every system is photographed, measured, and documented.
Can the report be delivered on the day?
Yes — same-day reports are standard at Star Building Inspections. Inspections completed before 1pm: report by 4pm. Afternoon inspections: report by 6-7pm.
What if I need it faster?
Call directly. Same-day inspections + same-day reports are possible when the schedule has space — typically when there’s a cancellation.
Do you offer urgent / pre-auction inspections?
Yes. Call 0412 014 216 as early as possible — pre-auction bookings benefit from tighter scheduling and we’ll often shift to fit the auction date.
Book your inspection
Pre-Purchase Building & Pest Inspection — Melbourne West — VBA-registered builder, same-day photo-rich reports, fixed pricing.
Related guides:
– How Much Does a Building and Pest Inspection Cost in Melbourne (2026)?
– What Does a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Actually Check?
– Combined Building and Pest Inspection vs Separate
Call Michael direct on 0412 014 216 to book.
