Burwood has a mix of older brick homes and newer renovations—movement, altered load‑bearing walls and ageing roof framing can hide serious defects until cracks and doors start sticking.
Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for Burwood
Complete this step to continue
Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check for indicators of footing movement such as stepped cracking in brickwork, racked window/door frames, uneven floors and separation at joints. This matters because active foundation movement can affect the entire structure and may require engineering advice and rectification, not patching.
Burwood homes are often renovated to create open-plan layouts. We look for signs that load-bearing walls have been removed or modified without adequate support, including undersized beams, inadequate posts, poor connections and sagging ceilings. These defects can be immediate safety hazards.
We inspect roof spaces for cracked or cut trusses/rafters, sagging ridgelines, inadequate bracing, water damage to structural timbers and poor prior repairs. Roof framing defects can lead to spreading walls, ceiling failure and persistent leaks that worsen timber strength over time.
For raised-floor sections, we assess stump condition and alignment, packing, bearer/joist integrity, and any signs of rot or borer that affect structural capacity. Subfloor defects often show up as bounce, slope and cracking above, and can be expensive if widespread.
We distinguish common shrinkage cracks from structural cracking patterns in brickwork and rendered surfaces, including cracks around openings, corners and articulation points. Understanding the pattern helps identify whether the issue is movement, lintel failure, corrosion-related expansion, or poor workmanship.
We look for signs that plumbing leaks, failed waterproofing, or poor site drainage are contributing to structural deterioration—such as damp subfloors, timber decay, and swelling or delamination in structural elements. Moisture-driven damage can turn a minor defect into a major structural problem quickly.
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.
In Burwood we often see movement-related cracking, lintel issues over openings, and structural problems linked to renovations—such as removed walls without adequate beams or posts. In roof spaces, cut or altered framing and water-damaged timbers can be serious. Townhouse builds can present differential movement or poor connections between structural elements. A major structural defects inspection focuses on defects that affect stability, not minor cosmetic items.
Not always. Hairline plaster cracking can be from shrinkage, temperature changes or minor settlement. It becomes more concerning when cracks are wide, stepped through brickwork, reappear after repair, or coincide with sticking doors, sloping floors or separation at cornices and skirtings. During the inspection we assess crack location and pattern, then link it to other movement indicators to judge whether it suggests a major structural issue.
Yes—while the focus is structural integrity, we also note visible risks where services contribute to structural damage or present immediate hazards. For example, leaks causing timber decay, corrosion, or damp conditions that weaken structural elements. We can also flag obvious electrical compliance concerns where visible (such as unsafe wiring in roof spaces), but full compliance testing is outside a visual structural inspection.
We can identify common warning signs that structural changes may not be adequately supported, such as sagging ceilings, unusual cracking near openings, inadequate posts, poorly seated beams, or questionable connections in the roof space. We can’t certify the original design or permits, but we can highlight defects and risk indicators and recommend the right next step—often a structural engineer’s review—before you proceed.
We document the defect, explain the likely cause and the level of concern, and outline practical next steps. Depending on what’s found, that may include obtaining a structural engineer’s assessment, further invasive investigation, or targeted repair quotes before settlement. If the issue appears active or safety-related, we’ll recommend urgent action and discuss how it could affect use of the property and future maintenance costs.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchSpeak with ACE Building and Pest Inspections to pinpoint serious movement, framing and alteration issues in Burwood properties—call 0413 163 187 to arrange an inspection.