Often lumped in together, these inspections provide very different information and are worth every cent. Don’t think you need one or the other. You need both, and each should be carried out by a suitably qualified and licensed expert. Often a building inspector is also qualified for pest inspections. A pest inspection costs about $300-400 and primarily checks for signs of damage caused by white-ants (termites) and borers. It can also shed light on rodent and cockroach infestations, which shouldn’t affect the structure of a property but may give you some bargaining chips on the price. A building inspection, is also about $300-400 and will report on the condition and structural integrity of the home, internally and externally, and flag any potential issues. Property sales are generally subject to building and pest reports, with the exception of auctions. If buying a property at auction, get these inspections beforehand.