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Richmond’s mix of Victorian terraces, heritage shopfronts and warehouse conversions can hide serious structural movement, damp-related decay and risky DIY alterations—especially behind fresh renovations.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess significant wall and ceiling cracking, stepped brickwork cracks, racking in door frames, and sloping floors to identify signs of footing movement or structural instability. In Richmond’s older stock and renovated terraces, this helps separate cosmetic cracking from defects that may need engineering input.
We inspect accessible subfloor areas for moisture, timber decay, inadequate ventilation, and compromised supports such as stumps, bearers and joists. These issues can create unsafe floors and ongoing movement, particularly in older homes where drainage changes or blocked vents can accelerate deterioration.
We check roof framing for sagging, signs of leaks, and visible deterioration, plus roof coverings, flashings, valleys, gutters and downpipes for defects that drive water into walls and ceilings. In Richmond, small roof drainage faults can quickly become major ceiling and wall damage after heavy rain.
We examine brickwork, parapets and boundary/shared walls for bulging, separation, deteriorated mortar and instability markers. Terraces and attached dwellings can pass movement across party walls, so early identification helps you understand risk and likely scope of rectification.
We look for major defect indicators around bathrooms, laundries and balconies—such as swelling skirting, loose tiles, staining, mould patterns and deteriorated sealants—because failed waterproofing can damage structural timbers and adjoining walls. This is common in renovated Richmond homes where waterproofing quality varies widely.
Without dismantling, we identify visible signs of non-compliant or unsafe work—such as unprotected wiring, questionable switchboard condition, missing safety switches (where visible), and plumbing leaks or unsealed penetrations. We then advise when specialist testing or compliance certificates should be requested before you proceed.
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Get Major Building Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Richmond we often see major defects linked to older construction and renovations: significant cracking from movement, moisture damage from roof/gutter failures, deteriorated subfloors where ventilation is poor, and wet-area waterproofing problems that spread into walls and floors. Warehouse conversions and extensions can also show structural alterations done without adequate support, which may require an engineer to assess.
Yes. We assess visible indicators of foundation and structural issues, including major cracking patterns, floor level changes, wall movement, and evidence of repairs that may suggest ongoing problems. We don’t excavate or perform engineering calculations, but if we see red flags we’ll explain what they indicate and recommend the right next step, such as a structural engineer assessment.
We can identify visible safety and compliance risk indicators during the inspection, such as leaks, water damage near services, unsafe-looking wiring, and switchboard concerns where accessible. Because full compliance testing is specialist work, we’ll clearly note what we observed and when a licensed electrician or plumber should be engaged for testing, repairs, or certification confirmation.
They can be. Renovations may conceal cracking, damp or structural changes behind new plaster and finishes, and wet areas are sometimes upgraded without robust waterproofing. In attached terraces, defects can also be influenced by neighbouring walls and roof junctions. A major defects inspection focuses on the warning signs—movement, moisture pathways and structural changes—so you can decide if further investigation is needed.
We document the defect with photos, explain why it matters, and outline practical next steps based on severity—such as engaging an engineer, requesting compliance documentation, or obtaining quotes from qualified trades. We’ll also help you understand likely consequences if it’s left unresolved, so you can make an informed decision about negotiating, planning repairs, or walking away.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections knows the defect patterns common in Richmond’s older terraces and renovated conversions. Call 0413 163 187 to organise an inspection and get clear, actionable findings.