The Inspector’s Notebook
What Do Building Inspectors Look For? The Clues That Matter
A crack, a ceiling stain, swollen skirting. Here’s how building inspectors read the clues you spot at an open home, and what to ask about each one.
Why Bayside and Mornington Peninsula Homes See More Roof and Lintel Corrosion
Bayside and Mornington Peninsula homes show a clear pattern of roof and lintel corrosion that inland suburbs don't. Here's what's behind it.
Cracks in the Wall: When It's Cosmetic and When It's Structural
Most wall cracks are nothing to worry about. Some are exactly why you get a building inspection. Here's how to tell the difference before you sign.
Rising Damp in Melbourne's Victorian and Edwardian Terraces: What We Actually Find
Rising damp shows up again and again in Melbourne's Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Here's why so many period homes never had a damp-proof course, and what it means for buyers.
The Bathroom Sealant Problem That Shows Up in Almost Every Melbourne Inspection
Degraded bathroom sealant is the most common defect we find on Melbourne inspections, house or apartment. Here's why it matters more than it looks.
What is a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection?
A pre-purchase building inspection looks past fresh paint and staged furniture to what’s really going on. Here’s what it covers, what it can miss, and what real Melbourne inspections have turned up.
Termite Damage and an Unstable Wall Found in a Hawthorn Pre-Purchase Inspection
An unstable wall and confirmed termite damage turned this Hawthorn inspection into a genuinely high-stakes result. Here's what our inspector uncovered before settlement.
Weep Holes, Ant Caps and the 75mm Rule: The Small Gaps That Let Termites In
Three small building details, the slab edge gap, weep holes and ant caps, do most of the work in keeping termites detectable. Here's what to check yourself.
New Build, Old Problem: Why Brand-New Homes in Melbourne's Growth Corridors Still Fail Termite Conditions
New builds across Melbourne's growth corridors still show the same termite-conducive conditions as much older homes. Brand new doesn't mean problem-free.
Buying a Weekender or Regional Property? What Our Inspections Actually Reveal
Regional and rural properties fail differently to metro homes. From missing handrails to unpermitted renovations, here's what our inspections actually turn up.