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0485 857 077

ACE Building and Pest Inspections

ACE Building and Pest Inspections

8A Glen Cairn Ave, Ringwood, VIC 3134
0485 857 077
info@acebuildingandpestinspection.com.au

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      Pre Purchase Inspection Services - Professional inspection service
      Home/Areas/Northcote/Pre Purchase Inspection Services

      Pre Purchase Inspection Services in Northcote

      Northcote’s mix of Victorian-era cottages, weatherboards and renovated terraces can hide subfloor moisture, ageing roofs and DIY alterations—our inspection helps you spot costly surprises before you commit.

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      Get a Pre Purchase Inspection Services Quote in Northcote

      Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for Northcote

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      About This Service

      What is Pre Purchase Inspection Services?

      Buying in Northcote often means looking at older homes with layers of renovations—rear extensions, opened-up living areas, and updated bathrooms—where the visible finish doesn’t always reflect what’s happening underneath. A pre-purchase inspection is crucial here because defects like damp under suspended floors, roof leaks around older flashing details, and movement cracks can be easy to miss during a short walkthrough. ACE Building and Pest Inspections provides Pre Purchase Inspection Services designed to help you make a clear, informed decision. We inspect the accessible parts of the property, identify defects and safety concerns, and explain what’s urgent versus what’s normal wear for the home’s age. You’ll receive a practical report you can use to negotiate, budget for repairs, or walk away. The process is straightforward: you book a suitable time, we attend and inspect the home, then we deliver a detailed report with photos and plain-language recommendations. If you want clarity on any item in the report, you can call us to talk through the findings and what they mean for a Northcote purchase.
      Northcote (3070) homes commonly include older timber floor structures, original brickwork, and renovated rear additions on smaller blocks. These property types can be prone to subfloor ventilation issues, moisture-related timber deterioration, cracking from past changes to the building, and roof drainage problems that show up after heavy rain. A pre-purchase inspection in Northcote needs to pay close attention to damp indicators, altered load paths from renovations, and how water is being directed away from the dwelling and footings.
      2-3 Hours
      Average Duration
      Same Day
      Report Delivery
      Licensed
      Professional Inspectors
      100+ Pages
      Detailed Report
      Pre Purchase Inspection Services inspection process
      What's Included

      Everything You Get With Our Pre Purchase Inspection Services

      Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.

      Subfloor condition checks for older timber homes

      We inspect accessible subfloor areas for ventilation, moisture staining, timber deterioration and signs of past water entry—issues that can be common in Northcote’s older cottages and weatherboards with suspended floors.

      Movement and cracking assessment inside and out

      We assess wall, ceiling and external masonry cracking patterns and note indicators of movement or settlement. This helps you separate cosmetic cracking from defects that may point to footing, drainage, or renovation-related structural changes.

      Roof, gutters and downpipes—leaks and overflow risks

      We check accessible roof cladding, flashings, gutters and downpipes for corrosion, poor falls, blockages and overflow points. In older streetscapes, older guttering and patched roofs can lead to ceiling damage and ongoing maintenance costs.

      Renovation and alteration red flags

      We look for signs of DIY work or incomplete finishes—uneven floors, altered walls, patched framing, inconsistent materials and water damage around wet areas—so you can ask the right questions about approvals, workmanship and lifespan.

      Wet area and waterproofing indicators

      We inspect bathrooms, laundries and kitchens for moisture damage, swollen skirtings, mould, drummy tiles and leaking fixtures. These findings often predict costly rectification, especially where renovations were done quickly for sale.

      Termite and timber pest risk indicators

      We check accessible areas for termite workings, damaged timbers and conducive conditions such as leaking plumbing, excessive ground contact and stored timber. This is particularly important where gardens, decking and older timber structures meet the house.

      Why Choose Us

      Benefits of Our Pre Purchase Inspection Services

      Discover why thousands of property buyers trust us with their most important investment.

      You get a clear list of defects that are likely to cost money soon, so you can budget realistically before buying in Northcote.

      You can use the report to negotiate repairs or price adjustments with evidence, rather than relying on assumptions at auction or private sale.

      You’ll understand whether cracking and unevenness are typical for the home’s age or signs of movement that warrant further investigation.

      You can identify moisture issues early—especially subfloor damp and wet-area leaks—before they turn into timber damage or mould remediation.

      You reduce the risk of inheriting hidden roof and drainage problems that can cause ongoing internal damage after heavy rain.

      You’ll know what specialist follow-ups to book (such as structural engineer, plumber or roofer) and why, instead of guessing after settlement.

      Our Work

      See Our Inspections in Action

      Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.

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      FAQ

      Common Questions About Pre Purchase Inspection Services

      Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.

      Many Northcote properties are older and have been renovated over time, which can conceal issues like subfloor moisture, ageing roof drainage, and cracks caused by changes to the structure. A pre-purchase inspection checks the accessible areas for defects and risk indicators, then explains what’s urgent, what’s maintenance, and what needs a specialist follow-up before you commit to the contract.

      Yes. We look at visible indicators that renovations and alterations have been completed to a reasonable standard, such as changes in floor levels, cracking around openings, signs of water entry near new wet areas, and inconsistent finishes that can point to shortcuts. While we don’t perform invasive checks, we flag concerns that should be queried with the agent, vendor or a relevant specialist.

      You’ll receive a detailed written report with photos and clear descriptions of defects found in the accessible areas of the property. The report highlights safety issues, maintenance items and significant concerns that may affect your buying decision. If you need clarification, you can call ACE Building and Pest Inspections to talk through the findings and what they mean for your Northcote purchase.

      We pay close attention to how water is managed around the home, because older Northcote properties can show damp symptoms if gutters overflow, downpipes discharge poorly, or subfloor ventilation is limited. We check for moisture staining, mould, swelling to timbers, musty subfloor conditions, and drainage setups that direct water toward the building, then outline practical next steps.

      Yes, pre-auction inspections are a common reason people book. The key is allowing enough time to organise access through the agent and to read the report before bidding. If the inspection identifies issues that warrant further checks—like a roof leak source, significant cracking patterns, or moisture damage—you can decide whether to pursue specialist advice, adjust your price limit, or walk away.

      Still have questions?

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      Book your Northcote pre-purchase inspection

      Choose ACE Building and Pest Inspections for Pre Purchase Inspection Services in Northcote and get clear, photo-backed findings you can act on. Call 0413 163 187.

      Get Instant QuoteCall 0485 857 077
      No obligation quote
      Same day reports
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