ACE Building and Pest Inspections
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0413 163 187

ACE Building and Pest Inspections

ACE Building and Pest Inspections

8A Glen Cairn Ave, Ringwood, VIC 3134
0413 163 187
[email protected]

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      Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 7 PM

      Saturday: 8 AM - 7 PM

      Sunday: 8 AM - 7 PM

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      Major Building Defects - Professional inspection service
      Home/Areas/Box Hill/Major Building Defects

      Major Building Defects Inspections in Box Hill

      Box Hill’s mix of older brick homes, extended weatherboard houses and newer multi-storey builds can hide serious faults in subfloors, balconies and roof drainage—issues that only show up when you know where to look.

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      Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for Box Hill

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      About This Service

      What is Major Building Defects?

      Major building defects can turn a Box Hill purchase into a costly repair project. Renovated post-war homes can conceal structural changes, older properties may have movement-related cracking, and newer townhouses and apartments can suffer from water entry around balconies, flashings and complex roof lines. A major defects inspection focuses on the issues that affect safety, liveability and resale value—before contracts are signed. ACE Building and Pest Inspections specialises in identifying major building defects across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including Box Hill (3128). We assess structural integrity and defect risks across key building elements such as foundations, walls, roofing, plumbing and electrical safety concerns. You get clear findings, practical repair priorities, and straight advice to support negotiations or a decision to walk away. We start with a detailed site inspection of accessible areas inside and outside the property. We look for defect patterns, not just cosmetic marks, and we trace likely causes such as moisture pathways, ground movement or failed building junctions. After the inspection, we explain the major concerns in plain language and outline what trades or engineers may be needed for further investigation.
      Box Hill properties often sit on a mix of natural ground conditions and disturbed soils from past development, and many blocks have been reworked for extensions, new townhouses or basement garages. That combination can contribute to uneven settlement, drainage problems and water management defects. With plenty of renovated homes and newer multi-residential builds in the area, it’s also common to find mismatched materials and junctions (old-to-new connections) where leaks, cracking and structural movement can concentrate.
      2-3 Hours
      Average Duration
      Same Day
      Report Delivery
      Licensed
      Professional Inspectors
      100+ Pages
      Detailed Report
      Major Building Defects inspection process
      What's Included

      Everything You Get With Our Major Building Defects

      Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.

      Structural movement and cracking assessment

      We assess cracking in brickwork, plaster and external render, looking for signs of differential movement, lintel distress and separation at corners and openings. This matters because movement-related cracking can indicate footing issues or structural load changes from renovations.

      Subfloor, stumps and bearers checks (where accessible)

      For homes with raised floors, we inspect accessible subfloor areas for stump condition, bearer/joist integrity, moisture build-up and evidence of inadequate ventilation. Subfloor defects can cause uneven floors, ongoing movement and timber deterioration.

      Roof structure, coverings and flashing defect review

      We check roof spaces and external roofing for sagging members, damaged battens, failed flashings, and poor penetrations around vents and skylights. Roof defects matter in Box Hill because hidden leaks can travel into ceilings and wall frames before staining becomes obvious.

      Balcony, deck and waterproofing risk indicators

      We examine balconies and elevated decks for ponding, inadequate falls, cracked tiles, failed junctions at doors, and corrosion or movement where visible. These areas are common major-defect zones in newer builds, and repairs can be complex and expensive.

      Moisture entry pathways and internal damage mapping

      We look for dampness indicators such as swelling skirtings, bubbling paint, musty odours, and staining patterns that suggest active leaks. Identifying the source—roof, plumbing, shower recess, or external wall junction—helps prioritise the right fix rather than repeated patching.

      Safety and compliance red flags (electrical and plumbing)

      We flag visible safety hazards and non-compliant-looking installations such as unsafe wiring practices, damaged switchgear, leaking pipework, inadequate drainage connections and hot water system issues. These items can pose immediate risk and may affect insurance or settlement decisions.

      Why Choose Us

      Benefits of Our Major Building Defects

      Discover why thousands of property buyers trust us with their most important investment.

      You uncover major structural and water-related defects that can be missed in a quick walkthrough of a Box Hill home or townhouse.

      You get a clearer sense of whether cracking is cosmetic or linked to footing movement, altered load paths or subfloor issues.

      You can budget realistically by understanding which defects are urgent safety hazards versus longer-term maintenance items.

      You strengthen negotiations with specific defect evidence and repair priorities, rather than relying on vague vendor assurances.

      You reduce the risk of buying into complex waterproofing failures around balconies, roof junctions or renovated wet areas.

      You know when to escalate to a structural engineer or specialist trades for invasive checks before committing to the property.

      Our Work

      See Our Inspections in Action

      Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.

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      Save with Packages

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      Premium Package

      Complete inspection package for Box Hill properties

      11 services included

      Standard Package

      Complete inspection package for Box Hill properties

      7 services included
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      FAQ

      Common Questions About Major Building Defects

      Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.

      In Box Hill we often see defect patterns linked to renovations and multi-unit construction, such as movement-related cracking, subfloor moisture issues, and water entry from roofs or poorly detailed flashings. In newer townhouses, balconies, box gutters, and complex roof junctions can be high-risk areas. A major defects inspection focuses on identifying these higher-consequence issues and their likely causes, not just surface marks.

      We assess crack location, width, direction, and whether there are related signs like sticking doors, uneven floors, or separation at joints. While a visual inspection can’t replace engineering calculations, it can indicate whether cracks are consistent with normal shrinkage or suggest movement from footing problems, altered load paths, or moisture-related ground changes. If it looks significant, we’ll recommend targeted engineer review.

      Yes. We inspect accessible roofing and roof spaces to look for structural issues, water entry points, and defect risks around penetrations, flashings, gutters and drainage paths. Roof leaks can be slow and destructive, damaging ceilings, insulation, framing and electrical components. If access is limited due to low clearance or stored items, we’ll note the limitation and advise the next best step.

      Older Box Hill homes are frequently extended or reconfigured, and defects often occur at the join between the original structure and the new work. We look for differential movement, inadequate support where walls have been removed, inconsistent floor levels, and water entry where new roof lines meet old. Renovations can look tidy but still hide structural shortcuts or waterproofing issues that only show up months later.

      We explain the defect, the likely cause, and the practical implications for safety, durability and future costs. We’ll outline repair urgency and suggest appropriate follow-up, such as a structural engineer for movement concerns or a waterproofing specialist for balcony failures. You can use the findings to renegotiate, request further checks before the contract becomes unconditional, or decide not to proceed.

      Still have questions?

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      Book a Major Building Defects Inspection in Box Hill

      ACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the high-impact defects that affect Box Hill homes and newer multi-storey builds—call 0413 163 187 to organise your inspection and get clear repair priorities before you commit.

      Get Instant QuoteCall 0413 163 187
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