The 2 Questions Every Buyer Has That Building and Pest Reports Ignore

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from property buyers is about their building and pest inspection reports. They get these reports expecting clear guidance on whether a property is worth buying, but often, what they receive are pages of vague warnings and conditional statements. Things like, “There may be termite risk” or “This area might need fixing”—all very non-committal and not exactly what buyers need to make an informed decision.

But here’s the thing. Most property buyers are really only looking for two key answers, and they’re answers that traditional building and pest reports don’t typically provide. Let’s break them down.

Q1. "How Big a Deal Is This, Really?"

The first question buyers have is: How worried should I be? When you’re reading a report filled with potential issues, what you really want to know is how serious these issues are. Is this a minor issue, or something that could cause serious headaches down the line? Does it need urgent attention, or is it just a very typical minor quirk of an older home?

At Ballast Point, we often find that the issues flagged in reports are common things that aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. For instance, a little bit of asbestos here or there is normal in older properties, and it’s manageable as long as you don’t disturb it and can be removed for a small fee. A hint of termite risk? That’s something that can often be mitigated with proper prevention methods.

But sometimes, the concerns raised in these reports are a big deal and are completely understated. Recently, we looked at a property that had so many structural issues that, while it wasn’t in danger of collapse and someone could have lived there for a long time, it was built in such a dysfunctional way that if you were going to renovate it in the future it would be more cost effective to demolish the house and start over - it was unfixable and the building and pest inspection did not give potential buyers any clue about this - it had a list problems without really telling you what they meant in practical terms.

Q2. "How Much Will It Cost to Fix?"

The second burning question buyers have is: How much will this cost me? When potential problems are raised in a report, buyers want to know what kind of budget they should set aside to address them. If you’re dealing with a small issue that’s easily fixed, it’s one thing. But if there’s a major issue lurking, it’s essential to know how much it’s going to cost to bring the property up to scratch.

Standard building and pest inspections rarely include cost estimates for repairs, which leaves buyers in the dark about the financial implications. This is where we come in. At Ballast Point, we offer a service where a licensed builder either reviews the existing report or inspects the property directly. Based on this, we can provide a rough budget for any necessary repairs or upgrades, so you know exactly what you’re dealing with financially. It’s an additional layer of information that helps buyers make an informed decision, with real numbers to guide their offer or negotiation process.

A Better Approach for Property Buyers

At Ballast Point, we saw the gap in traditional building and pest inspections, so we created a service to fill it. For a fee of $495, you can book online, and we’ll send a licensed builder to review your report or inspect the property. We’ll let you know, from a builder’s perspective, what’s worth worrying about and what’s par for the course.

And crucially, we provide a sensible placeholder budget that you might set aside if you need to rectify the potential problems should they need rectifying. For buyers, this can be incredibly reassuring. Instead of the uncertainty of a standard report, you get a practical overview of the risks, the real priorities, and an idea of what it’ll cost to get the property in shape. Buyers can also factor this into their purchasing decision. It’s by no means a quote but it gives you an order of magnitude of the problem and normally that’s all people need to make good decisions.

Why the Traditional Building and Pest Inspection Falls Short

The standard building and pest inspection report is designed to protect the inspector more than the buyer. Inspectors often avoid making strong conclusions or providing cost estimates because they don’t want to be held liable if an issue turns out differently than expected. This caution is understandable, but it doesn’t help buyers make solid decisions. Most building inspectors are not licensed builders and they have a systematic checklist of things which is valid but limited. An experienced licensed builder can build a mental model of the building, see through the systems and give you insights that help steer you in the right direction.

Our approach is different because we aim to give you actionable insights. We’re ok to say, “This isn’t something I’d worry about if it were my house,” or “This could be a significant issue, and here’s what it might cost to fix.” By adding this layer of clarity, we help buyers move forward with confidence—or decide to walk away if the property isn’t worth the investment.

What This Means for the Industry

This gap in traditional building and pest inspections is starting to gain more attention, and services like ours are becoming more popular as buyers demand greater transparency and practicality. For agents and inspectors, there’s an opportunity here to rethink how these inspections are conducted and to consider offering additional insights or partnering with licensed builders who can provide cost estimates.

In the long run, this could lead to a shift in the industry, where inspections are not just about identifying problems but also about offering realistic solutions. Buyers deserve to know not only what might be wrong with a property but also how much it might cost to put it right.

So, if you’re looking to buy a property and want real answers to the two biggest questions—How worried should I be? and How much should I put aside to fix this?—consider getting an assessment from a licensed builder. At Ballast Point, we’re here to give you the answers that standard building and pest inspections don’t, helping you make an informed decision that you can feel good about.

To book a consultation or learn more about our property buyer services, click here.