Forest Hill homes often include brick veneer builds from the mid-to-late 20th century, plus renovated weatherboards where hidden moisture, subfloor ventilation and movement can be easy to miss at open-for-inspection speed.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We inspect accessible roof space for staining, damp timbers, degraded insulation, and signs of past leaks. This matters in Forest Hill where older tiled roofs and aging flashings can allow slow water entry that only shows up as ceiling sag, mould, or timber deterioration.
Where there is safe access, we check subfloor ventilation, visible stumps/bearers/joists, and moisture conditions. Poor airflow and damp subfloors can drive musty odours, cupping floors and timber decay, especially in homes with enclosed perimeter areas or garden beds built up against the house.
We assess cracking patterns, door and window operation, and visible signs of movement at corners, openings and extension junctions. This helps you distinguish typical cosmetic cracking from movement that may indicate footing or drainage issues, which can be relevant on sloping sites and older foundations.
We look for visual indicators of moisture problems such as swollen skirting, bubbling paint, damaged grout, and staining at adjacent rooms. Renovated wet areas can hide leaks behind new finishes, so we focus on high-risk transitions like shower recesses, vanities, and plumbing penetrations.
We check gutters, downpipes and how stormwater is directed away from the dwelling. Poor discharge and overflow can contribute to damp subfloors, erosion and movement. In Forest Hill’s leafy streets, blocked gutters from debris can be an ongoing maintenance and leak risk.
We inspect accessible timbers, perimeter areas, fences abutting the home, and other interfaces that can conceal termite entry points. This is important where gardens, sleepers, and stored timber sit close to the house, increasing concealed inspection limits and raising the need for a clear risk picture before purchase.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Forest Hill we often see concerns around roof and gutter ageing, moisture impacts in bathrooms and laundries, and damp subfloors where ventilation is limited. Renovations and extensions can also introduce risks like poor flashing, uneven floors, or cracking where old and new sections meet. A pre-purchase inspection focuses on accessible areas and highlights defects that may affect your offer price or decision to proceed.
Yes, where access is safe and available. We inspect accessible roof space for leak evidence and structural concerns, and we enter subfloors where there is an access point and conditions allow. Garages, carports and outbuildings are also assessed for visible defects such as cracking, moisture entry and roof drainage issues. Any access limitations are clearly noted in your report.
Use the report to separate urgent defects from maintenance items and then price the likely repairs. If there are major concerns—such as active moisture, movement that needs engineering advice, or significant deterioration—you can renegotiate the offer, request repairs, or set conditions to investigate further. We recommend sharing specific, documented findings with the agent rather than broad concerns, as it keeps negotiations clear.
Yes. Renovations can improve presentation while concealing issues like inadequate waterproofing, poor ventilation, or shortcuts around flashings and drainage. In Forest Hill, it’s common to see updated kitchens and bathrooms in otherwise older homes, so checking the transition areas—wet walls, floors, and adjoining rooms—matters. A pre-purchase inspection helps you confirm whether the renovation is performing well, not just looking new.
Time on site varies with the size and complexity of the property, as well as access to roof space and subfloor areas. After the inspection, you receive a detailed report that lists defects, explains why they matter, and prioritises items that may affect your buying decision. If anything is unclear, you can call to discuss the findings so you know what to do next.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections provides detailed Pre Purchase Inspection Services for Forest Hill properties, with clear defect priorities you can act on. Call 0413 163 187 to arrange an inspection.