Loading...
Loading...
McKinnon has a mix of older brick homes and modern townhouse builds—both can hide movement, roof drainage issues and rushed renovations. A thorough building inspection helps you spot costly defects before contracts go unconditional.
Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for McKinnon
Complete this step to continue
Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check for signs of footing movement such as stepped cracking in brickwork, uneven floors, sticking doors/windows, and separation at skirtings and cornices. In McKinnon’s mix of older and renovated homes, these clues help determine whether cracking is cosmetic or suggests structural movement that may require further engineering advice.
We inspect accessible roof coverings, flashings, valleys, gutters and downpipes for corrosion, displacement, blockages and poor fall. Faults here can drive leaks into ceiling spaces and walls, so we also look for related staining, dampness and timber deterioration where accessible.
We assess external walls for cracking patterns, deteriorated mortar, bulging, render drummy areas, and gaps around penetrations. These issues can allow moisture entry and can also indicate movement—particularly important where older homes have been extended or opened up.
We look for evidence of water damage, failed waterproofing indicators, poor sealing to showers and wet area junctions, swelling to cabinetry, and inadequate ventilation. Renovations can look great in photos but still hide leaks that damage subfloors, framing and adjacent walls.
Where there’s access, we check for dampness, ponding, ventilation constraints, timber decay and structural bearer/joist condition. Poor airflow and moisture can lead to long-term deterioration and can also contribute to musty odours and floor movement.
While a building inspection is non-invasive, we identify visible hazards such as damaged wiring, unsafe DIY modifications, inadequate fall to drainage points, and signs of plumbing leaks. We flag items that may need a licensed electrician or plumber to investigate so you can budget and negotiate accordingly.
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
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Yes. Older McKinnon homes can show age-related wear such as roof deterioration, subfloor dampness, cracking around openings and outdated alterations. Newer townhouses may present different risks, including drainage detailing, waterproofing shortcuts, ventilation issues and defects from fast build schedules. A building inspection focuses on the accessible evidence in each property so you can understand likely causes, repair urgency and next steps.
It will cover the accessible parts of those elements and assess the visible indicators of problems. We examine cracking patterns, distortion, moisture staining, roof coverings and rainwater systems, plus internal signs like uneven floors and sticking doors. If we see red flags suggesting significant movement or concealed damage, we’ll recommend the most appropriate follow-up (for example, an engineer or targeted invasive investigation).
We identify visible safety hazards and obvious compliance concerns during the inspection, such as damaged wiring, unsafe fittings, signs of overheating, active leaks, or water damage linked to plumbing. A building inspection isn’t a full electrical or plumbing certification, but it’s a strong first step that helps you decide whether to engage licensed specialists for further checks before you commit to the purchase.
We look for signs that changes have introduced problems, such as cracking at old-to-new junctions, roof tie-in defects, dampness around new wet areas, inadequate ventilation, and uneven floors. We also assess workmanship clues like poor sealing, gaps around penetrations, and drainage that directs water back toward the building. Where something looks inconsistent or risky, we clearly note it for follow-up.
Use the report to make a clear decision: request repairs, renegotiate the price, ask for further specialist assessment, or walk away. If time is tight, prioritise items that affect structure, safety and water ingress, as these tend to be the most expensive to rectify. We explain the implications of each major finding so you can act quickly and confidently during negotiations.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchChoose ACE Building and Pest Inspections for a practical, defect-focused inspection that highlights structural movement, moisture entry risks and safety hazards relevant to McKinnon homes. Call 0485 857 077 to arrange an inspection.