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Buying a home with a treatment plant?Pre-purchase wastewater system inspections
Understand the condition of the treatment plant and irrigation area before you buy. Fixed price from $295, with a written report and photos within 2 business days.
Building and pest inspections do not cover it
A standard building and pest inspection does not assess the treatment plant. Too often, buyers discover a poorly performing system only after they move in, and face an unexpected repair bill.
When a failed plant must be replaced on an established property, the old tank is usually broken up and removed and a new system installed in its place, which can cost more than $10,000. The cost rises further if the irrigation area has to be relaid, or if subsurface drip lines have blocked because the system’s filtration was removed.
Book our inspection alongside your building and pest inspection, so you know what you are buying before your finance and building and pest dates.
Wastewater system only
This inspection covers the treatment plant and irrigation area only. It is not a building, pest, plumbing-compliance or electrical inspection.
A comprehensive assessment of the whole system
Treatment plant
Visible condition of the tanks, lids and risers; the air blower, pumps, alarms and floats; the chlorinator and disinfection.
Performance on the day
Effluent clarity, pH, residual chlorine and temperature, and sludge levels where the tanks can be safely opened.
Irrigation area
Sprinklers, drippers and visible pipework; signs of ponding, run-off or effluent leaving the property; signage.
Condition report
Written findings with photos, any issues, and the repairs or maintenance we recommend, plus any service history supplied.
Not included
- Anything underground or hidden that cannot be seen without digging, dismantling or pumping out
- Checking the system against its original council approval or plans, unless the council records are supplied
- Laboratory testing, and electrical testing of wiring or the power supply
- Pump-outs, repairs or parts (we can quote for these separately)
Fixed pricing, no surprises
No GST is added to our prices. The report is released once the inspection fee has been paid.
Ipswich, Brisbane, Logan, Redlands, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba
Sunshine Coast, South Burnett, Southern Downs and west of Toowoomba
How it works
Book
Call or send an enquiry with the property address and your finance, building and pest, and settlement dates.
Agreement
We send you the inspection agreement setting out what is covered and the fee.
Inspection
We inspect the plant and irrigation area. Access is usually arranged through the agent.
Report
Your written report with photos arrives by email within 2 business days.
Agents and conveyancers
We schedule around building and pest, finance and settlement dates. Call us to book an inspection for your buyer, or to keep our details on file for future transactions.
Inspection questions
No questions match. Ask us directly or call 0495 096 532.
Does the building and pest inspection cover it?
No. A standard building and pest inspection does not assess the treatment plant or the irrigation area, so problems often come to light only after you have moved in.
Link to this questionHow quickly do I get the report?
Within 2 business days of the inspection, by email. If you need it sooner to meet a finance or building and pest date, tell us when you book.
Link to this questionWho needs to be there?
Nobody needs to meet us, but we require safe access to the plant, its lids and control box, and the irrigation area, with the power to the plant switched on. Access is usually arranged by the agent or seller.
Link to this questionCan I cancel?
Yes. Cancellation is free of charge until 24 hours before the inspection.
Link to this questionIs it a guarantee?
No inspection can guarantee that a system will not fail in future. The report describes what we found and tested on the day, any issues identified, and the repairs or maintenance we recommend.
Link to this questionBook your pre-purchase inspection
Tell us the property address and your key dates, and we will work to them.