Building and Pest Inspection BrisbaneA local builder who knows the area.
From pre-war Queenslanders in Paddington and Ashgrove to brick-and-tile homes across the western suburbs and new builds out west — Brisbane's housing stock is as varied as its suburbs. I've spent 20+ years building across South East Queensland, and I inspect your property like someone who knows exactly how these homes are put together, and where they fail.
A builder by trade. Dual-licensed. On every job myself.
"I know what corners get cut on a build — because I've spent 20 years on the tools watching them get cut. That's what I'm looking for when I walk through your property."
My name is Lachlan Pascoe. I'm a QBCC licensed builder and a licensed pest controller — a genuine dual qualification — with over 20 years actually building across South East Queensland. Carpentry, construction, pest management, and now inspections. I've worked on pre-war Queenslanders, post-war brick homes and new estate builds right across Brisbane and the western corridor.
You get me — not an employee sent out under a company licence. I personally attend every inspection, answer every call and book every job, and I'm on the phone afterward to walk you through every finding. You can verify my membership on Master Builders Queensland's official Find a Master Builder directory.
Verify us on the Find a Master Builder directory →
The defects that show up again and again across Brisbane
Brisbane-specific termite risk: Brisbane's warm, humid climate and leafy, established suburbs make it one of the highest termite-pressure regions in the country. Coptotermes — the most destructive local species — can forage up to 50 metres from the nest and are drawn to moist sub-floor timbers. Damage is often invisible until an inspection with thermal imaging finds it.
Character Queenslander issues
Pre-war Queenslanders across Paddington, Ashgrove, Bardon and the inner suburbs commonly show rotten or sunken stumps, decaying chamfer boards, old knob-and-tube wiring and lead paint. Beautiful homes — but they hide expensive defects under the charm.
Reactive clay soil movement
Large parts of Brisbane sit on reactive clay soils — Class H and Class E sites are common. Clay expands and contracts with moisture, causing wall cracking, uneven floors, sticking doors and footing movement. The cause is often misread as cosmetic.
Steep & split-level sites
Hilly western suburbs like The Gap, Kenmore and Brookfield are full of split-level and pole homes on steep blocks. Retaining walls, under-house framing, drainage and footing movement all need a builder's eye — these sites fail in ways flat blocks don't.
Pre-1990 asbestos materials
Fibro additions, eaves, external cladding and garages on older Brisbane homes commonly contain asbestos cement sheeting. I identify suspected asbestos-containing materials and note their condition and risk level in every report.
Post-war & renovated homes
Post-war lowset brick homes and the wave of "renovator's delight" flips across Brisbane often hide unpermitted work, dodgy waterproofing and structural shortcuts under fresh paint. A new-looking reno is not the same as a sound one.
Water leak & moisture damage
Roof penetrations, guttering, downpipes and internal plumbing leaks are the most common source of structural and pest problems. Water is almost always behind the major defects found across Brisbane properties.
The Brisbane River, its creeks, and flood-prone low country
The Brisbane River and a network of creeks — Oxley Creek, Bulimba Creek, Breakfast Creek, Moggill Creek and others — wind through the city, and many suburbs sit on low-lying, flood-prone land. Flood history can be hidden behind cosmetic repairs, so it's worth knowing exactly what to check before you buy. On every inspection near the river or a creek, I look for:
Always check the property against the Brisbane City Council FloodWise property report before you commit. A pre-purchase inspection adds the on-the-ground check that mapping alone can't give you.
A thorough inspection, not a surface check
Drone aerial roof inspection
4K HD, CASA-licensed pilot — for roofs over 3.6m that can't be safely accessed on foot.
Thermal imaging camera
Standard on every inspection. Detects hidden moisture and termite activity inside walls and ceilings.
Moisture meter readings
Standard. Tested at all entry points — wet areas, external walls and the sub-floor perimeter.
Sub-floor inspection
Access to all sub-floor spaces — stumps, bearers, joists, ventilation and moisture.
Roof void inspection
Full access — trusses, sarking, framing and insulation.
Structural assessment
Walls, floors, ceilings, footings and slab — as a builder I assess root causes, not just symptoms.
Termite & timber pest inspection
Live termites, damage and conducive conditions — to Australian Standard AS4349.3.
Wet areas & waterproofing
Bathrooms, laundry and kitchen — signs of waterproofing failure, leaks and mould.
Drainage & site
External drainage, grading, retaining walls, fencing, driveways and outbuildings.
Same-day written report
Comprehensive report with photos — delivered the day of your inspection, every time.
Carried out in accordance with Australian Standards AS4349.1 (building), AS4349.3 (timber pest) and AS3660.2 (termite management). Fully insured — professional indemnity and public liability.
Pricing varies by property size and type. Use our booking form to get your accurate price today →
Ready to book your Brisbane inspection?
Same-day report. Delivered by Lachlan personally. QBCC licensed builder and pest controller.
Real reviews from real buyers
Why Brisbane buyers choose Admired
A builder by trade, dual-licensed, and the one who actually turns up. Plenty of Brisbane inspection firms send out an employee under a company licence — with Admired you get me on site, every time. When I walk through a property I'm reading it as someone who's spent 20 years building homes across SEQ: I understand why defects occur, how serious they actually are, and what they'll cost to fix. You get a straight, plain-English report the same day, and I'm available to walk you through every finding personally.
A big city of very different homes
Brisbane is one of Australia's fastest-growing capitals, and the run-up to the 2032 Olympic Games is driving development and demand right across the city. But "Brisbane" covers enormous variety — character Queenslanders in the inner north and west, post-war brick homes on the southside, steep split-level houses through the western hills, and brand-new estates on the city fringe. Each of those has a completely different risk profile.
That's exactly why an independent inspection matters here — and why local knowledge counts. A 1920s Queenslander in Paddington and a 2024 build in the outer suburbs need two very different sets of eyes, and you want someone who understands both because they build here. I'm based on Brisbane's western side and know the western corridor — Kenmore, Indooroopilly, Moggill, Brookfield and out to Forest Lake — particularly well. Brisbane is a great place to buy. Just make sure you know what you're buying first.
We inspect across Brisbane
From the inner suburbs out through the western corridor and across greater Brisbane — every suburb in the City of Brisbane, including established homes, character Queenslanders, acreage and new estates.
Don't see your suburb? Call Lachlan on 0400 076 162 — we likely cover it.
Brisbane inspection questions answered
What defects are most common in Brisbane's older Queenslanders?
The most consistent issues I find in Brisbane's character homes are rotten or sunken stumps, decaying chamfer boards, old electrical wiring, asbestos in fibro additions and eaves, and termite damage in the lower timber framing. Reactive clay soil movement is also common. A thorough sub-floor and timber pest inspection is essential for any pre-1990 Brisbane home.
Do you check for flood and water damage in low-lying Brisbane suburbs?
Yes. On properties near the Brisbane River and creek corridors — Oxley Creek, Bulimba Creek, Breakfast Creek, Moggill Creek and similar — I check for past inundation, drainage grade, sub-floor moisture and concealed repairs. I'd always recommend checking the Brisbane City Council FloodWise property report as well before you commit.
Why does a builder make a difference on a Brisbane inspection?
Because I've physically built and renovated homes for 20+ years, I read structural movement, retaining walls, under-house framing and waterproofing as someone who's done the work — not just ticked a checklist. On Brisbane's steep western blocks and split-level homes especially, that builder's eye matters. And as a dual-licensed builder and pest controller, you get both inspections from one person who attends in person.
Do new Brisbane estate homes still need a building inspection?
Absolutely. Volume-built homes on the city fringe often have drainage, waterproofing and workmanship defects that slip through without independent oversight. A pre-purchase inspection is not the same as a PCI — both matter.
Are thermal imaging and a drone roof check included?
Yes — both are standard on every inspection, along with moisture meter readings. The drone (CASA-licensed) covers roofs over 3.6m that can't be safely accessed on foot. There's no extra charge for any of it.
How quickly can I get a report after the inspection?
Same day in almost all cases. I know you're often working to finance or contract deadlines, so the report is prepared and emailed the day of the inspection — ready for your solicitor and negotiations.
Same-day reports. Straight answers. A local builder who knows Brisbane.
Pricing varies by property — use our booking form to get your accurate price today.
Builder by trade, 20+ years · QBCC Builder & Pest Licensed · Master Builders QLD · Owner attends every inspection