Victoria

Common defects found in homes

Are you buying a home or investment property? Here are some of the common defects that our building inspectors in homes. Termite damage The advantages of getting a vendor report before putting your house on the market. Termite damage was found ...
Read more

The Dirty World Of Termites

This summer it’s time to think pests. "Generally the soil moisture is high, that makes a big difference to termites. Termites are really just organised cockroaches," says Dr Ewart to The Age in an article titled: Hungry termites marching on Melbour...
Read more

The Dirt On Property Depreciation

What’s depreciation? In a nutshell, it’s an allowance under tax laws in Australia for investors. It means they can claim deductions for expenditures in their property investments. Why depreciation? Even extremely well-built houses aren’t imm...
Read more

Two Things You Need To Know About Smoke Alarms

One: Smoke Alarms Aren’t Always Reliable Smoke alarms aren’t always reliable which is why a professional inspector can make your job easier and life safer. A good inspection takes into account adequate positioning and operational status in orde...
Read more

Is your house cracking up?

Is your house cracking up? A long, spidery vein is inching its way across the dining room wall. It seems to be spreading even as you stare at it! You’re sure it wasn’t there yesterday! So what does this mean and how can it be fixed? Don’t...
Read more

Building? Here Are Mark Campbell's Lessons Learned

“My rationale for building new was threefold,” writes Mark Campbell, a working-class Aussie. “Firstly, it enabled me to have control over the end product and it made sense from an investment perspective because I could maximise depreciation and...
Read more

10 Horrifying Traps a (Good) House Inspector Might Find

Number One: Asbestos. Enough said. Number Two: Termites. In a word: EVIL. Number Three: Fire hazards. Wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy. Number Four: Faulty smoke alarms. It’s a thing. Number Five: Ghosts. Okay, kidding. Okay, ma...
Read more

Asbestos-Caused Cancer Trends Up

Asbestos-caused cancers are trending up, according to recent data from 2017. The grim facts from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: 710 Australians were diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2016 – a cancer caused by exposure to asbesto...
Read more

WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON BUILDING INSPECTIONS SIGNIFICANT DEFECT?

Over the past two years, the most common Significant defect found, is the damp shower. Modern showers are aesthetically pleasing and appear to be installed to the highest standard. However, countless showers have been found this year to have damp cor...
Read more

EXPLAINED – Owner Builder Warranty Inspections & S137B of the Victoria Building Act 1993

You're an owner builder and it is time to sell your home. The last thing you want is for your hard work to be a hindrance to potential purchasers who have reservations about quality or compliance, just because the works weren't part of a major domest...
Read more