Complete Building and Pest Inspections

15/06/2026

The Kitchen & Bathroom are the two areas that can help raise the value of a property, and also areas that require skilled trades and quality materials.

With near infinite colour and material combinations available, the splashback can really set the tone for an entire kitchen space.

Acrylic, glass with timber backing, or laminate splashbacks look great, but they can be major compliance traps when installed behind cooktops.

If a splashback material is combustible, it cannot be installed within 200mm of a gas burner's edge unless it is protected by a fire-resistant material (like fiber-cement sheeting) under the surface. Even with electric or induction cooktops, manufacturers have strict installation specs that flippers frequently ignore.

02/06/2026

Purchasing a property with a built-in downstairs area that has a ceiling height below 2.4 meters is one of the most common traps for buyers in Queensland.

Habitable rooms must have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 2.4 meters. Many DIY or unapproved downstairs enclosures fall well short of this.

If the height is between 2.1 meters and 2.4 meters, it can legally only be classified as a "utility room" (storage, laundry, or hallway). If it is under 2.1 meters, it doesn't even meet the standard for a utility room.

If a fire, major storm, or overland flood damages that downstairs area, or if someone is injured there, your insurance company may refuse to pay out. Most standard home insurance policies feature clauses that void coverage for illegal or non-compliant building works.

Complete Building & Pest Inspections provide reports to help you make informed decisions in property purchasing.

12/05/2026

In Townsville’s tropical climate, our humidity and warm soil temperatures mean termites stay at 100% metabolism year-round.

A healthy, mature colony in a North Queensland backyard can easily exceed 1 million workers.

A colony of this size can destroy a 60cm structural timber in as little as 3 to 5 weeks, not months.

Complete Building & Pest Inspections provide reports to help you make informed decisions in property purchasing.

07/05/2026

Approximately 33% of homes in North Queensland have some form of incomplete or unapproved construction. This most commonly includes pergolas, decks, or "built-in" rooms under high-set Queenslanders that lack council approval or fail to meet the Queensland Development Code.

While these structures may be well-built, lacking official approval or failing to meet the current code creates significant risk and liability. While the likelihood of having your property audited by the council or being "reported" may be low, it becomes a different story during a crisis. In the event of extreme weather, damage caused to or by non-compliant structures can quickly become an insurance nightmare.

This can also create significant hurdles when you look to sell the property in the future. Building reports will uncover these issues, often forcing you to deal with them financially as the seller just to get the deal across the line.

08/04/2026

Pool fencing is one of the most commonly overlooked defects in a pre-purchase inspection, and one of the most expensive to fix.

If the neighbor built a deck, a shed, or even a trellis on their side within the 900mm NCZ, your pool is now technically non-compliant. Even if the fence is within 10 years of age and was built to current spec, sag and lack of hinge tension can class it as non-compliant.

Fines for non-compliance can exceed $2,800, and major rectification work (like replacing a fence or moving a garden shed) can cost thousands.

If you purchase a property without a valid Pool Safety Certificate (PSC), the seller provides a Form 36 (Notice of No Pool Safety Certificate), the legal obligation to fix the fence and obtain certification shifts entirely to you. You then have just 90 days from settlement to ensure everything is up to code.

31/03/2026

A house built before 1992 might not look "old" to most, but its electrical system tells a different story.

Before 1992, Safety Switches (RCDs) were not mandatory in Queensland for any circuit, and a large number of these homes still haven't been upgraded. If a home in Townsville was built before 1992, it is officially classified as an "older home."

Statistics show that roughly 35–40% of these properties have zero or inadequate safety switch protection. It is also important to note that under QLD law, you are required to install a safety switch on all power point circuits within three months of a property transfer if one is not already installed.

Complete Building & Pest Inspections provide reports to help you make informed decisions in property purchasing.

02/03/2026

Auctions are becoming more common, but 1 in 4 buyers rely on the vendor’s building and pest report...

In a time where owners and investors are looking to capitalise on a booming house market, many buyers are being "blinded by the bid" and relying on a report "provided by the agent" to save $500. These reports are often commissioned by the vendor and, while legally bound to be accurate, they may not emphasize future problems the way an independent inspector would.

Look past the new renovations and fresh paint, know exactly what you are buying. At auction, there is no cooling-off period. Once the hammer falls, you own the defects.

03/02/2026

The kitchen is usually the first upgrade many people think of when purchasing a new home. However, water damage is not something to be taken lightly; more often than not, it can be more than just cosmetic damage to the visible area. Over time, spilled water can act as a lure for termites and lead to significant electrical and structural damage.

13/01/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 - Concrete Spalling
How it happens?
Moisture penetrates the concrete and reaches the steel reinforcing bars inside. The salt and water cause the steel to rust and expand. This expansion creates massive internal pressure that cracks the concrete from the inside out.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀
Rust stains bleeding through the paint
Chunks of concrete breaking away (spalling)
Hollow sounds when you tap on rendered walls

If you spot these signs on your balcony or slab, do not paint over them. This is a structural issue that needs professional attention before it spreads.

06/01/2026

High humidity and evening storms are a trigger for termites to breed. You may see flying ants swarming around lights or find discarded wings. This is a possible indication of a nearby colony actively releasing queens to start new nests. They could potentially settle in your roof void if there is a moisture leak.