Searching for a building inspector in Queensland returns dozens of results. Price varies from $350 to $800. Qualifications vary significantly. The quality of inspection and report varies even more. Here are the 7 questions that reveal the difference before you book.
1. Are You QBCC Licensed?
This is non-negotiable. In Queensland, a building inspector must hold a current QBCC licence to legally inspect and report on residential construction. Ask for the licence number and verify it at the QBCC licence search at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
An inspector without a current QBCC licence cannot produce a report that has legal standing — it cannot be used to require builder rectification or support a QBCC complaint. VG Inspect holds QBCC licence 1318443.
2. Do You Specialise in New Builds?
Pre-purchase inspections on established homes and new build inspections are fundamentally different disciplines. An inspector who does both is not specialising in either. The defect patterns, Australian Standards references, and QBCC Standards and Tolerances knowledge required for new build inspections are specific and detailed.
VG Inspect inspects newly constructed homes only. We do not do pre-purchase inspections on established properties.
3. Will You Personally Attend Every Inspection?
Some inspection businesses book the client, subcontract the inspection to a third party, and produce a report without the named inspector ever attending the property. Ask directly — will you personally attend my inspection?
A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every inspection. No subcontractors. No junior inspectors.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an Inspection4. Can I See a Sample Report?
A building inspection report is only useful if it is detailed enough to require builder action. Ask for a sample report before booking. A quality report documents each defect with a photograph, a description of the non-compliance, and a reference to the specific QBCC Standards and Tolerances clause.
A checklist-format report with no photos and no clause references gives the builder nothing to act on. View a sample VG Inspect report before booking at vginspect.com/sample-reports.
5. When Will I Receive the Report?
Your inspection report is useful only if it reaches you in time to act on. A report delivered three days after the inspection may arrive after your builder's required response window has closed.
VG Inspect delivers all reports within 24 hours of the inspection — always the same day for morning inspections.
6. Do You Carry Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance protects you if the inspector misses a significant defect and you suffer a financial loss as a result. Ask for evidence of current PI and public liability insurance before booking.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an Inspection7. How Many Inspections Do You Do Per Day?
An inspector completing eight to ten inspections per day is spending 45 to 60 minutes per property. A thorough new home PCI takes 90 to 120 minutes. The maths is straightforward — high volume means less time on your property.
VG Inspect completes three to four inspections per day — ensuring adequate time on site for every inspection.
