If a building and pest inspection finds problems, don’t walk away straight away. First, understand the severity of the findings, get specialist advice where needed, obtain realistic repair quotes, and check your contractual deadlines before deciding whether to proceed.
Opening your inspection report to find a long list of issues is unsettling. For most Melbourne property buyers, it raises an immediate question: does this mean I should walk away?
Not necessarily.Â
Problems turn up in the majority of building and pest inspections. What matters is understanding which findings are serious, which are routine, and which need more investigation before you can make a clear call.
Not every defect carries the same level of risk. This guide explains what to do next, step by step.
First, Understand What the Report Actually Found
Not all inspection findings carry the same weight. Before drawing any conclusions, it helps to know what categories of issues the report may include.
A building and pest inspection report can identify:
- Major defects: significant structural or functional concerns
- Minor defects and maintenance items: wear, deterioration or routine upkeep
- Safety hazards: conditions that could affect occupants
- Timber-pest activity or damage: active termites, historical evidence or visible damage
- Conditions conducive to timber pests: moisture, soil contact or poor ventilation
- Areas that could not be accessed: subfloor, roof void or concealed spaces
- Findings that require specialist investigation
A long report does not automatically mean a poor property. What matters is the significance, urgency and uncertainty of each finding, not the total number of items listed.
Two buyers looking at the same report can reasonably reach different decisions based on their budgets, timelines and tolerance for repair work.
Ask the Inspector to Explain Unclear Findings
If anything in the report is unclear, ask Nick directly. A follow-up call is part of the process.
Useful questions to raise include:
- How serious is this issue?
- Is it active, historical or only suspected?
- Does it need urgent attention?
- Could it affect the safety or habitability of the property?
- Is further investigation recommended?
- Was any relevant area inaccessible during the inspection?
- Which type of specialist should look at it?
Nick inspects every property personally and can explain not just what a defect is, but why it likely occurred and how significant it is in practice. Buyers consistently highlight his clear explanations as a reason they felt confident making a decision after receiving the report.
Separate Urgent Problems From Manageable Maintenance
A long report can feel overwhelming, but most inspection findings fall into a predictable range. Some need immediate attention. Many do not.
The table below gives a general sense of how to read different finding categories.
| Finding category | What it may mean | Typical next step |
| Minor maintenance | Wear, deterioration or routine upkeep | Plan and budget for repairs |
| Major defect | Significant structural or functional concern | Seek specialist assessment and cost advice |
| Safety hazard | Potential risk to occupants | Clarify urgency and obtain qualified advice |
| Timber-pest evidence | Activity, damage or conducive conditions | Arrange pest or invasive investigation if recommended |
| Inaccessible area | Condition could not be assessed | Consider further access or investigation |
Every finding carries a degree of uncertainty until it is properly assessed. Words like “may,” “could” and “where recommended” in a report are deliberate. They reflect what was visible at the time, not a definitive diagnosis.
A property with twenty minor maintenance items is not necessarily in worse condition than one with two major defects. Reading the report with that distinction in mind makes the next steps much clearer.
Obtain Specialist Assessments Where Recommended
Some findings cannot be fully assessed by the inspector alone. Where further investigation is recommended, the next step is to engage an appropriately qualified professional.
Depending on what the report identifies, that might include:
- A structural engineer for foundation, footing or framing concerns
- A licensed plumber for drainage, pipe or moisture-related issues
- A qualified electrician for switchboard or wiring concerns
- A roofer for roof structure or weatherproofing issues
- A timber-pest specialist for termite activity, damage or conducive conditions
The report and any follow-up discussion with Nick should guide which specialist is appropriate. For timber-pest findings, a timber pest inspection by a qualified specialist can help determine the extent of any activity or damage that was not fully visible during the building inspection.
Get Realistic Repair Estimates Before Deciding
Repair estimates help you understand the practical and financial weight of what the report has identified. Where time allows, contact relevant qualified contractors and consider multiple quotes for significant work. Separate immediate repairs from longer-term maintenance items.
Allow for uncertainty where areas were inaccessible or concealed during the inspection. Avoid drawing conclusions based only on photographs.
One important boundary: estimating the cost to rectify defects is outside the scope of a building inspection. Quotes need to come from the trades or specialists doing the work.
Review the Contract With a Conveyancer or Solicitor
What a buyer can do after a building and pest inspection found problems depends heavily on the contract, the sale conditions and the deadlines in play. This is not something Nick can advise on.
Nick can explain what the inspection found. A conveyancer or solicitor should advise on contractual rights and legal options.
Depending on the contract and circumstances, possible decisions may include:
- Continuing with the purchase
- Requesting more information or further inspections
- Revisiting the offer or terms where appropriate
- Withdrawing where the contract permits
Auction properties sit outside this process entirely. Buyers at auction are typically bound once the hammer falls, which is why organising a pre-auction building inspection before bidding matters.
Decide Whether the Property Still Suits Your Risk and Budget
Once you have the report, any specialist opinions and a clear picture of your contractual position, the decision comes back to you.
A few questions worth working through:
- Is the issue understood well enough to make a decision?
- Is there a credible repair scope or specialist opinion?
- Can you afford the likely work, plus a contingency for anything concealed?
- Does the issue affect safety, finance, insurance or planned renovations?
- Are the contractual deadlines and your available options understood?
- Is the remaining risk acceptable given your budget and plans?
What if Termites or Timber-Pest Damage Are Found?
Timber-pest findings tend to cause the most concern. Before drawing conclusions, it helps to understand what the report is actually describing.
There is a meaningful difference between:
- Active termite activity: live termites present at the time of inspection
- Historical evidence: past activity or treatment with no sign of current infestation
- Visible damage: timber that has already been affected
- Conducive conditions: moisture, soil contact or other factors that attract timber pests
- Restricted areas: spaces where inspection was not possible
Where further investigation is recommended, a qualified timber-pest specialist should carry it out before you make a decision. Do not assume visible evidence reflects the full picture, but do not assume the worst before a proper assessment has been done.
What if the Property Is Being Sold at Auction?
Auction buyers face a compressed timeline. Once the hammer falls, there is typically no cooling-off period and no opportunity to act on inspection findings after the fact.
The practical answer is to arrange inspections, any specialist advice and a contract review before bidding. Getting a pre-auction building inspection gives you the same level of detail as a standard inspection, with enough time to make an informed decision before auction day.
When Should You Walk Away From a Property?
There is no universal answer. The decision depends on a combination of factors, not a single finding.
Walking away may be worth considering when:
- The severity or extent of defects goes beyond your budget or renovation tolerance.
- There are unresolved safety concerns.
- Concealed damage cannot be assessed before the contract deadline.
- Specialist recommendations have not been obtained and time has run out.
- Your conveyancer or solicitor advises that your contractual options are limited.
The report gives you evidence, not a verdict. Some buyers proceed with full knowledge of significant defects because the numbers still work. Others walk away from properties with minor issues because the risk does not suit their situation.
How Nick Helps Buyers Understand the Findings
Nick inspects every property personally and follows up with a call to walk through the findings and answer questions.
With more than 20 years of construction experience and a background building over 150 homes across Melbourne, he can explain not just what a defect is, but why it likely occurred and how significant it is in practice.
Each report is delivered within 24 hours and includes colour photos, plain-language explanations and clear recommendations. If questions come up after the report, Nick is available by phone with no limits on follow-up calls.
To book a combined building and pest inspection in Melbourne, request a quote through the Inscope website.
FAQs
Does a bad building inspection mean I should not buy the property?
No, a bad building inspection does not mean you should not buy the property. Severity, repairability, uncertainty, budget and contractual circumstances matter more than the number of findings. A report with many items is not automatically a reason to walk away.
Can I negotiate after a building inspection finds defects?
Potentially, but whether you can negotiate after a building inspection finds defects depends on the contract and the circumstances of the sale. A conveyancer or solicitor can advise on your specific rights and options.
Who should assess a major structural defect?
A major structural defect should be assessed by an appropriately qualified specialist. The inspection report may recommend a structural engineer, but the right professional depends on the specific finding.
What happens if termites are found?
If termites are found, the next step is to clarify whether the activity is active or historical, assess any visible damage and follow the report’s recommendations for treatment or further investigation by a qualified timber-pest specialist.
What if part of the property could not be inspected?
If part of the property could not be inspected, that area carries uncertainty. Discuss with Nick whether further access or investigation is feasible before making a decision.
The Report Is Information, Not a Verdict
A building and pest inspection found problems. That is what it is designed to do. The report is information, not a verdict.
Work through the findings methodically, get specialist input where recommended, and speak with your conveyancer or solicitor before acting on any contractual options.
If you are buying in Melbourne and want an inspection carried out by a registered builder with more than 20 years of construction experience, request a quote through the Inscope website.
