CALL US FOR PEACE OF MIND BUILDING & PEST INSPECTIONS IN SYDNEY : 0401 012 074 or Get a FREE QUOTE
Sydney Building Inspections
Vital Building & Pest Inspections - The clear choice for timely, thorough, accurate and professional building inspections in Sydney.
Vital Building & Pest Inspection is Sydney’s building inspection specialist, committed to giving you complete peace of mind when it comes to the safety and condition of your property.
We have over 18 years of experience in the building industry, and a solid background in assessing, repairing, and renovating properties with structural problems, and those suffering from the effects of substandard construction or damage caused by ageing, environmental elements, or pest infestation. So, when you choose Vital you get more than just a thorough building inspection.
We are dedicated to providing our clients with sound and clear advice on the condition of the property they are interested in – whether they are buying, selling, renovating, or building – because our client’s interest is of the utmost importance.
When you trust the experienced team at Vital to perform a building inspection, you get all the important information you need in a timely, easy to read, professional report you can refer to, to help you make one of the biggest and most important decisions for you and your family.
Vital Building & Pest Inspection – Sydney’s company of choice, with service you can trust and expert advice you can rely on, for all of your building and pest inspection needs.
“We recognise the huge responsibility that comes with being a Building Inspector and we are deeply honoured to be able to support families right across Sydney as they start a new chapter in their lives. Whether it’s buying their first home, building their dream home, renovating, or looking for that right investment property or commercial building. At Vital, our goal is to provide the information and expertise you need to achieve your goal: peace of mind at a time that can be highly stressful.”
Peter – Head Inspector and Senior Building Consultant, Vital Building & Pest Inspection.
The best building inspection reports in Sydney
No matter where you are in Sydney, or what type of property you have or are looking to purchase, it is vital to obtain a clear, accurate and comprehensive property inspection report. Vital Building & Pest Inspection is the best choice for all of your building, pest or pre-purchase inspection needs in Sydney.
Armed with years of local knowledge and experience, and a commitment to providing professional service and expert advice, we perform a rigorous examination of your property per the relevant Australian Standards (AS 4349.1-2007 and AS 4349.3).
We follow a tried and tested process to uncover every issue – not just the obvious or visible problems, but the potential problems that could cause major issues and require costly repairs in future. We don’t just stop there though, we go further, to find the root cause of any existing or potential problems we identify. Our detailed inspection report highlights any major defects, maintenance requirements, safety issues and pest damage that we may have discovered during our inspection.
Where it is deemed necessary, we can locate evidence of damage or infestation using state of the art technology, including:
Thermal Imaging
Thermal cameras use non-intrusive imaging to detect heat sources, which give off infrared energy. In much the same way that a regular camera uses natural or visible light to capture an image, a thermal camera uses increased sensitivity to pick up invisible wavelengths of light. The thermal camera then converts these invisible wavelengths into a visual image.
How do thermal cameras help detect building pests?
The Vital team of qualified and experience building and pest inspectors is skilled in the art of using thermal imaging to quickly and easily detect the presence of insect and rodent nests in walls and other hidden or relatively inaccessible areas of a building.
When insects and rodents make a nest within a wall cavity, their continued presence and activity generates heat within the nest, which causes the external surface of the wall to warm up and emit infrared radiation. Our thermal camera technology allows our building and pest inspectors to detect temperature differences on the surfaces of building walls, which can indicate the presence of a nest behind the wall.
Thermal imaging also allows our practiced inspectors to identify irregular heat patterns that may indicate the presence of moisture or other kinds of damage that may signal the presence of pests or identify their entry point.
For example, mice or rats may chew holes in walls or insulation, allowing cold air and moisture from outside the building to enter the wall cavity; termites construct mud tube tunnels within walls, floors, and ceilings, which retain a high moisture content. In both these instances a sensitive thermal camera and practiced technician may be able to detect these subtle irregularities in expected heat patterns.
Where there is evidence of pest activity, and it is suspected there may be nests or damage hidden within walls, floors, ceilings or other hidden or hard to access areas of a building, we can use thermal imaging technology to confirm the presence of pests and pinpoint their location. The accuracy with which thermal imaging can detect the presence of pests and their nests enables targeted action and minimises the amount of disruption required to eradicate them.
Minimal disruption is particularly important when dealing with termites, as they tend to disperse when nests are disturbed, which can actually cause the pests to spread and make them harder to eradicate.
How do thermal cameras help detect structural defects?
Thermal cameras are able to assist in the detection of heat loss, moisture, lack of airtightness, faulty thermal insulation, heat bridges and structural damage.
Thermal imaging may be able to pinpoint the origin of water leakage or the location of damage to plumbing pipes, if there are suspected issues with ruptured pipes that are otherwise inaccessible.
Thermal cameras are also able to identify heat and moisture patterns that may indicate problems with:
- Rising damp, caused by blocked drains and insufficient seepage
- Penetrating water, from improperly installed or leaking roofing or guttering
- Thermal bridges, which may result in the formation of condensation that can lead to mould formation
Vital Building & Pest Inspection's thermal imaging technology
Our inspectors use a Testo 868 Thermal Imager, which boasts the best thermal image quality in its class, with excellent resolution and over 19,000 temperature measuring points for incredibly precise thermography.
The Testo 868 thermal imager automatically detects hot and cold spots and allows the user to visualize a temperature difference of 0.10 degree Celsius. The integrated digital camera displays the real image next to the thermal image, to make it easier to locate the focal point or position of the lens. An instantaneous field of view (IFOV) warner calculates the distance from the thermal imager to the precise spot being measured, and shows the spot on the thermal image, helping to avoid measurement errors.
Thermal imagery is just one of the technologies that we can use when undertaking your building and pest inspection. For more information, or to book your Sydney building or pest inspection, contact us today on 0401 012 074. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, or request a FREE QUOTE, and one of our friendly team will contact you shortly.
Moisture Meters
Moisture meters are instruments used to detect the amount of water in a given sample or building material, including roofing, wood, tiles, concrete, fibreglass, insulation, and plaster and plasterboard. These instruments use various technologies, including probes, pins, electromagnetic signals, and lasers, to detect, map and measure the presence or percentage of water, either on a specific surface or across a large area.
Non-intrusive (pin-less) moisture meters work by transmitting low-frequency signals into the material being tested and measuring the amount of impedance encountered by the signal. Differing amounts of moisture present in the test material result in differing levels of impedance, which the moisture meter uses to calculate the moisture percentage. Non-invasive moisture meters are particularly useful for scanning large areas and surfaces that are not able to be physically penetrated.
Pin-type moisture meters use contact pins or probes that are inserted into building materials to obtain precise moisture readings. While these kinds of meters provide far more accurate measurements, they leave small holes in building materials, where pins or probes are inserted, and are only able to readings for a small, localized area.
What kinds of problems can a moisture meter help to detect?
Moisture meters can detect areas of elevated moisture content. More advanced moisture meters can measure:
- moisture levels on and below the surface of a material
- ambient air humidity, or relative humidity, and automatically provide psychrometric calculations (measurements associated with the thermodynamics of moist air)
- the dew point and surface temperature, and automatically calculate the difference between them
- equilibrium humidity measurement in concrete floors (the level of moisture content in a concrete floor at the point at which the concrete will cease to dry any further)
Elevated moisture levels in building materials can cause, or facilitate, a range of problems that can seriously damage the appearance and structural integrity of those materials, including mould, wood rot, pest infestations. Moisture meters can be used to trace evidence of moisture intrusion back to the source, enabling the problem to be identified and addressed.
How do moisture meters help detect building faults or problems?
Moisture meters enable the building inspector to determine the moisture profile of an area, to identify areas of possible building defects or faults. Moisture mapping can help to identify problems with pooling of water and excessive equilibrium moisture content, particularly in the ground, within concrete, roof spaces, floors, and walls.
Moisture mapping across large areas is particularly helpful after flooding or known instances of water ingress, to enable the building inspector to monitor the speed of change in moisture patterns. Where previous moisture detection or mapping has identified a problem area, the moisture meter can measure improvements in the moisture profile of an area after action has been taken to rectify an identified fault or defect.
Moisture meters can be used to detect problem areas of uncontrolled moisture intrusion caused by damaged or faulty building materials, structural faults or poor installation or workmanship, including:
How do moisture meters help to detect mould and bacteria?
While moisture meters cannot identify mould or bacteria directly, they are able to help identify areas that are at risk of developing problems with these issues. Moisture-affected wood is prone to harbouring mould and fungi, which will generally begin to grow in wood with a moisture content of approximately 20%.
The growth of mould and fungi within and around a building can cause health problems and result in visible damage to both the interior and exterior of a property. It is therefore essential to discover problem areas with elevated moisture levels that may provide the perfect breeding ground for fungi, mould and bacteria.
The Vital team of qualified and experienced building inspectors has extensive experience using our state of the art, multi-functional moisture meter to quickly and easily detect the presence of problematic moisture in walls, floors, ceilings and other hidden or relatively in accessible areas of a building that are susceptible to moisture damage and may be prone to.
How do moisture meters help detect pest activity or infestation?
In addition to being essential in identifying areas prone to problems such as rising damp, and detecting faults, structural defects or damage that is allowing water intrusion, moisture meters can also be used to indirectly identify pest infestations within a building.
Moisture-affected wood often plays host to pests such as beetles and borers, which can thrive in wood with a moisture content of just 12%. If left unchecked, water intrusion and associated pest infestation can cause serious damage to building materials, which may significantly affect the structural integrity of a building.
Where there is evidence of water intrusion and pest activity, and it is suspected there may be nests or damage hidden within walls, floors, ceilings or other hidden or hard to access areas of a building, our inspectors can use our state-of-the-art multi-functional moisture meter to identify problem areas and track moisture intrusion back to its source.
For example, termites construct mud tube tunnels within walls, floors, and ceilings, which retain a high moisture content, and moisture meters can be used to trace these moisture-laden tunnels back to the nest or the point of moisture intrusion.
Vital Building & Pest Inspection's moisture meter technology
We use a Protimeter MMS2® BLD8800-C-S moisture meter, which is the world’s most advanced all-in-one moisture meter.
The multi-functional BLD8800-C-S allows pin-less, pin-type and probe moisture measurements, making it incredibly effective at both scanning large areas for elevated moisture levels for the purposes of moisture mapping and for pinpointing particularly problematic areas and establishing their exact moisture content.
Our Protimeter MMS2® BLD8800-C-S moisture meter is just one of the technologies that Vital’s building inspectors can use when undertaking your inspection. For more information, or to book your Sydney building or pest inspection, contact us today on 0401 012 074. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, or request a FREE QUOTE, and one of our friendly team will contact you shortly.
Termatrac
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor is an “all-in-one” instrument used to help the building inspector or pest inspector to detect the presence of termites and other pests, to track their activity and locate their nests and determine the extent of pest infestation.
The T3i All Sensor combines Termatrac’s patented radar technology with a thermal and a relative and direct moisture sensor.
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s Thermal Sensor technology
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s Thermal Sensor is a non-intrusive infrared sensor that enables the building or pest inspector to detect temperature differences on the surfaces of building walls and to identify irregular heat patterns. Such changes in surface temperature and thermal anomalies may indicate the presence of moisture or other kinds of damage that may signal the presence of pests or identify their entry point.
Vital’s team of experienced building and pest inspectors are trained and certified in the operation of the T3i Thermal Sensor, using it to identify infrared energy emitted by heat sources in walls and other relatively inaccessible areas of a building, such as that given off by insect and rodent nests.
Unlike thermal cameras that display images, the infrared sensor of the T3i All Sensor averages the temperature detected by a laser pointer to provide the operator with a numerical reading.
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s dual mode Moisture Sensor technology
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s dual mode moisture sensor is a non-intrusive, pin-less moisture sensor that uses a capacitance-based method of measuring moisture content within a sample area, penetrating to a depth of up to 60mm.
The T3i All Sensor’s ultra-sensitive direct moisture sensor detects small changes or fluctuation in moisture content within a material, such as a plasterboard wall. Unlike many moisture sensors on the market, which detect moisture in an arc beam from the sensor, the T3i direct moisture sensor uses omni-directional technology to measure moisture content surrounding and directly underneath the instrument.
The T3i’s direct moisture sensor calculates and displays the absolute moisture value as a percentage, as well as displaying the value on a dial-type gauge. The sensor is designed to deliver accurate moisture readings, even in environments with extreme humidity.
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s Radar Sensor technology
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s Radar Sensor uses a state-of-the-art technology that is specifically calibrated to detect termite and other insect activity, track their movement, and locate their entry point.
The T3i’s radar sensor transmits high-frequency, low-energy microwaves that penetrate building materials, enabling the operator to detect and track termite and pest activity. The radar sensor picks up differences in the reflected waveform caused by interference, which are due to movements made by termites and pests within the building materials. This interference in the waveform is displayed on the sensor’s screen, allowing the operator to track movement and activity in real time.
Most importantly, the radar sensor enables the operator to pinpoint areas of activity without disturbing the nests of termites and other pests. Minimal disruption is particularly important as termites tend to disperse when their nests are disturbed, making containment and eradication much more difficult.
Vital Building & Pest Inspection's Termatrac technology
Our building and pest inspectors use the Termatrac T3i All Sensor – the most accurate and non-invasive detector on the market – to assist them to confirm the presence of termites and other pests in building materials.
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor’s ability to pinpoint termite and pest location and movement without disturbance allows termites and other pests to be identified, contained and eradicated with minimal effort and enables the use of localised treatments that help to avoid unnecessary drilling and removal of un-infested or undamaged sections of building materials, keeping repair costs to a minimum.
The Termatrac T3i All Sensor is just one of the technologies that Vital can use when undertaking your building and pest inspection. For more information, or to book your Sydney building or pest inspection, contact us today on 0401 012 074. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, or request a FREE QUOTE, and one of our friendly team will contact you shortly.
All the information you need, exactly when you need it.
Our reports provide reliable advice and practical solutions for every building and pest problem we find, so you can address the underlying cause and minimise the risk of the problem returning.
We also ensure that the building inspection report is delivered to you as quickly as possible after the inspection is completed, because we understand that – regardless of your reason for needing a building inspection – time is of the essence.
At Vital, we are genuinely committed to providing you with true peace of mind and exceptional customer service.
Find out more about us…
Building Inspections in the Sydney Region
Vital Building & Pest Inspection are a local building inspection company based in Sydney’s north-west, providing a wide range of building inspection services across the Sydney Metro and Greater Western Sydney LGAs – from Richmond to Ryde, Penrith to Pymble, Campbelltown to Chatswood… and everywhere in between, including:
Click here to see the full list of Sydney locations we service.
OUR BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES IN SYDNEY
Independent Building Inspectors in Sydney
All our inspections are performed by experienced, qualified building inspectors who will arrive on time, conduct an independent, unbiased evaluation of the property, and deliver a clear and comprehensive combined building and pest inspection report. Vital Building & Pest Inspection have an excellent industry reputation and our professional, easy to read inspection reports are trusted by real estate agents, vendors, and buyers of property right across Greater Sydney.
Our professional building and pest inspection reports detail your building’s condition, highlighting any current or potential issues that may require attention. We are always happy to provide further explanation, if you need it, because we want to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the condition of the property so that you can negotiate with confidence.
BUILDING INSPECTIONS SYDNEY
We perform building inspections Sydney-wide, including Pre-Purchase Inspections, Dilapidation Reports, Asbestos Inspections and more.
PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTIONS
A pre-purchase inspection is a must before you buy a property, whether it’s to be your home or an investment property.
PEST INSPECTIONS SYDNEY
Find out more about us and how our background in building repairs and restorations makes us your best choice for your building or pest inspection!
Save Money with the Best Value Combined Building and Pest Inspection in Sydney!
– from $450 + GST!
Vital offer Sydney’s best value building and pest inspections, with a combined building and pest inspection and professional inspection report priced from just $450 excl. GST.
We confidently price our services to ensure that we are offering great value for money. If you have obtained a genuine, cheaper quote for a comparable inspection or building certification service that is legitimately available from a professional building inspection company in Sydney, we will match or beat it.
Call Vital today on 0401 012 074 to discuss your Sydney building inspection or certification needs, or to book your inspection now. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, or request a FREE QUOTE, and one of our friendly team will contact you shortly.
SYDNEY PRE-PURCHASE BUILDING REPORTS
Pre-purchase building inspections are a vital part of any real estate investment – especially in Sydney where you are likely to be investing over a million dollars in your home. Pre-purchase inspections on units and apartments, especially those in high-rise towers, are particularly important in light of concerns around the many structural defects, fire issues and water issues that have plagued these kinds of developments in recent times.
If you have been considering investing in the property market, it is sensible to find out what issues and liabilities you might be buying into, to avoid more expensive problems in the future. A Sydney pre-purchase building inspection can provide you with vital information on the structural integrity, condition, and quality of the property.
Investigations have shown that many newly built apartment buildings have water issues and structural defects, and while are many may be small and relatively easy to rectify, they can be expensive. With media reports abounding on the structural and building issues these kinds of building developments are prone to, it is understandable that buyer confidence in the quality of construction has been shaken.
A thorough pre-purchase building inspection, performed by an expert building inspector, along with a comprehensive building pre-purchase report, will provide you with the essential knowledge you need to make a wise financial investment. Arming yourself with the independent expert analysis provided by Vital Building & Pest Inspection’s building and pest report enables you to confidently negotiate with the vendor and Sydney real estate agent.
If you are thinking of selling your home, find out exactly what you might want or need to fix before you go to market so that you can get the maximum price from the sale and avoid any time consuming negotiations or delays with buyers.
SYDNEY PEST INSPECTIONS AND REPORTS
Timber and biological pests, such as mould, fungi and timber rot, can cause costly damage to your home and property – and this kind of damage is not typically covered by most Australian home insurance policies. This is because the damage these pests inflict is considered to be foreseeable and preventable, and there are many steps that can be taken to prevent these infestations or mitigate the extent of any damage should an infestation occur.
Routine pest inspections in Sydney are vital to ensuring the safety and condition of your property, constituting one of these very important prevention and mitigation strategies. There are a number of telltale signs that can serve as a warning bell, such as:
- patches of moisture or discolouration on walls,
- small holes on the visible surfaces of wooden decking, flooring, skirting boards, or door frames,
- physical evidence of termites in the vicinity (such as the presence of shed insect wings near your home), and
- timber damage caused by fungus or eaten by pests including termites, borers, and rodents.
Vital Building & Pest Inspection have local experience and expert knowledge on common Sydney pests and can use the latest tools to detect the presence of pests and any damage they may have caused prior to detection, including our Testo thermal camera, Protimeter MMS2 moisture meters and Termatrac technologies.
For more information on Vital Building & Pest Inspection’s comprehensive pest inspection and report services, call us today on 0401 012 074 or send us a message via our contact form. Alternatively, request a free quote now!
Book a Sydney Building Inspection today
Give us a call on 0401 012 074 or enter your details below to get in touch if you need a building inspection for a property in Sydney NSW Australia.
SYDNEY BUILDING INSPECTIONS & PEST REPORTS FOR PRE-PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Vital Building & Pest Inspections are a local building and pest inspection company based in Sydney’s north-west and servicing suburbs right across the Sydney metro and Greater Western Sydney areas – from Blacktown, The Hills, Ryde and Parramatta to Penrith, Windsor, Richmond, and Campbelltown… and everywhere in between.
We have over 17 years of experience in building inspection and a strong background in the repair and restoration of buildings with structural and pest damage. We perform hundreds of building and pest inspections every year, so we know exactly what information you need. The pest and building reports we create for Sydney home buyers and vendors are clear and easy to understand with highlighted areas of interest and items that may require attention.
If you have questions once the building and/or pest inspection has been completed and the report has been provided to you, we are happy to discuss the contents so that you have a confident understanding of the condition of the property and any potential issues, and we are able to provide expert advice and solutions.
We are fully insured for public liability and professional indemnity and we are current members of leading industry groups. We make sure we stay up to date with training and current practice in all areas of building consultant services, particularly in regard to building and pest inspections, and we have an excellent industry reputation. Our professional building and pest inspection reports are independent, unbiased, and trusted by real estate agents, vendors, and buyers of property in all Sydney suburbs.
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PRICE MATCH ON GENUINE BUILDING INSPECTION QUOTES
We confidently price our building and pest inspections to ensure that we are offering great value for money. If you have obtained a genuine quote from a competing firm for a comparable building or pest inspection service that is legitimately available from a professional building inspection company in Sydney, we will match or beat it.
Call Vital Building & Pest Inspections today on 0401 012 074 to book your Sydney pre-purchase building and pest inspection and report now. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, or request a FREE QUOTE, and one of our friendly team will contact you shortly.
