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North Melbourne’s mix of Victorian terraces, warehouse conversions and newer apartments can hide movement cracks, damp from shared walls, and costly body corporate defects—so you know what you’re buying before you sign.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess cracking patterns (including stepped cracks in brickwork), uneven floors, and door/window operation to identify potential footing movement or long-term settlement—common in older North Melbourne terraces and renovated cottages where additions can change load paths.
We check roof condition where accessible, including flashing to chimneys/parapets, valley areas, and guttering/downpipes for overflow risks. In tightly packed streets, poorly managed stormwater can lead to damp walls, ceiling stains and hidden timber deterioration.
We look for moisture staining, blistered paint, salt deposits, mould growth and musty odours—especially in shared walls, bathrooms and rear extensions. These clues help you understand whether you’re facing ventilation issues, leaking plumbing, or water ingress through masonry.
For homes with suspended floors, we assess vents, clearance, signs of high moisture, and timber deterioration. Poor airflow and damp subfloors can contribute to springy floors, skirting damage and ongoing mould problems that buyers often only discover after moving in.
We inspect visible workmanship and junctions between old and new areas—such as altered rooflines, new openings in walls, and wet area upgrades—to flag defects that can lead to leaks, cracking, and premature maintenance costs.
Where the property type applies, we check accessible balcony surfaces, drainage points, door thresholds and internal moisture indicators near bathrooms/laundries. These areas can be costly because rectification may involve waterproofing and coordination with owners corporation requirements.
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Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
They can be. Many North Melbourne terraces have solid masonry walls, shared party walls and limited subfloor ventilation, which can contribute to dampness and salt activity. Older footings and decades of renovations can also show up as cracking or uneven floors. A pre-purchase inspection looks for patterns that suggest normal ageing versus movement or moisture problems that may need further investigation.
We inspect the accessible internal areas of the apartment and any accessible external areas such as balconies or courtyards, focusing on water entry risks, cracking, ventilation, and signs of previous leaks. We also note visible issues that may relate to common property, such as balcony drainage or façade cracking, so you can raise questions with the agent and review owners corporation records for related works.
Yes, but the scope depends on safe access. Many North Melbourne homes have tight side passages, small roof spaces and confined subfloors. We inspect all accessible areas and report any limitations clearly, then point out the visible indicators that matter (like moisture staining or cracking) and recommend targeted follow-up checks if a key area couldn’t be accessed at the time.
Yes. We pay close attention to where older structures meet newer extensions and upgrades, because that’s where defects often appear—such as roof junction leaks, cracking around altered openings, and moisture issues in updated bathrooms. We can’t certify compliance, but we can identify visible workmanship concerns and symptoms that suggest the renovation may need closer review by the right trade.
Book as early as you can once you’re serious about a property, ideally with enough time to review the findings before you sign or before key contract dates. In busy North Melbourne campaigns, that may mean arranging the inspection straight after the first inspection or as soon as the agent can provide access. Early booking gives you time to organise specialist advice if needed.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for Pre Purchase Inspection Services in North Melbourne—get clear defect priorities and buyer-focused advice before you commit.