Loading...
Loading...
Box Hill homes range from older brick veneer and weatherboard builds to tightly-built townhouses and renovations—structural movement, past alterations and moisture entry can hide major defects that are costly to rectify.
Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for Box Hill
Complete this step to continue
Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check cracking patterns in masonry, plaster and external cladding, plus signs of differential movement (step cracking, corner separation, racked openings). We note whether cracks suggest ongoing movement, moisture damage, or past repairs, and what this means for the structure.
Where accessible, we inspect bearers, joists, stumps/piers and visible footing edges for settlement, rot, corrosion, inadequate bracing and DIY packing. This matters in Box Hill homes with older subfloors or altered internal layouts, where support changes can lead to sagging floors and load redistribution.
We assess the roof space for sagging rafters, truss alterations, missing webs, cracked members, water staining, and signs of roof spread. We also look for tie-down and bracing issues that can become serious in storms, particularly where renovations have changed the roofline.
We identify structural risk from moisture by checking for leaks, dampness and poor drainage around the building envelope—such as failed flashings, overflowing gutters, negative falls, and water ponding near footings. Moisture can trigger timber decay, wall movement and ceiling collapse risks.
We look for evidence that walls or supports may have been removed or modified without adequate beams or posts, including unusual ceiling cracking, patched bulkheads, altered roof framing, and inconsistent floor levels. This is common in renovated Box Hill homes where open-plan changes were made.
We flag hazards that need prompt action, such as unstable retaining walls, severe balcony/verandah deterioration, compromised lintels, and high-risk electrical or plumbing penetrations that weaken framing. Where compliance can’t be confirmed visually, we explain what documents or specialist checks to request.
Discover why thousands of property buyers trust us with their most important investment.
Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.
Inspection photo 1
Inspection photo 2
Inspection photo 3
Get Major Structural Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Cracks can be common, but the pattern and location matter. In Box Hill we often see cracking that has been cosmetically patched after renovations or repainting. We assess whether cracks are consistent with structural movement (step cracking, widening, racking around openings) and look for related signs like sticking doors, sloping floors, and separation at junctions. Where needed, we recommend an engineer for structural design advice.
We focus on the elements that carry loads and keep the building stable: roof framing, walls, floors, subfloor supports, visible footings edges, and areas showing movement or moisture impact. We also check drainage and moisture sources that can drive structural deterioration. If access is limited (tight boundaries, low subfloors), we document restrictions and explain what additional checks may be required.
Yes. Newer doesn’t always mean defect-free. With Box Hill’s modern townhouses, we look for early signs of movement, water entry around balconies and parapets, roof drainage issues, and framing alterations from fit-outs. We also check for workmanship indicators that can lead to bigger defects later, such as poorly supported openings, uneven floor levels, and persistent moisture near structural elements.
Renovated older homes in Box Hill can hide problems behind new linings and finishes. We commonly see altered load-bearing walls without clear support, subfloor changes that reduce bracing, and moisture problems from raised garden beds or poor stormwater control. We inspect for clues like irregular ceiling cracking, sagging floors, patched beams, roof-frame modifications, and water staining that suggests long-term leaks.
Treat it as a decision point. We’ll explain the likely cause, the areas affected, and the urgency. For significant movement, compromised framing, or unstable elements, you should seek a structural engineer’s assessment and repair scope before committing to the purchase or finalising terms. Use our findings to negotiate, request further documentation, or plan targeted specialist inspections.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchChoose ACE Building and Pest Inspections for a defect-focused structural assessment that targets Box Hill’s common renovation, moisture and movement risks. Call 0413 163 187 to arrange an inspection.