In what areas of Melbourne do you do house inspections?

We focus our building and timber pest inspection service to the northern Melbourne region, and service areas such as; Preston, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Greensborough, Eltham, Hurstbridge, Kinglake, Bundoora, Mill Park, South Morang, Doreen / Mernda, Epping, Essendon, Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Greenvale, Craigieburn, Sunbury, Beveridge, Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford. We can travel further around Melbourne for our valued clients, if requested, so call us on 0481 299 682 with your request.

How much does house inspection cost?

This will depend on the type and size of your chosen property. Request a quote online for your house inspection and we will contact you with further details and a competitive quote.

How long does a Northern house inspection take?

Approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the size and condition of the house.

What is covered in a Pre-Purchase/Pre-Sale House Inspection? What will my reports look like?

Our reports can cover up to 1000 defects or other items on the house, including structural elements both inside and out, the wet areas, water pressure, hot water service, roof and gutters and insulation. We also check for safety switches and smoke detectors. Please refer to our sample reports and inspection agreement and terms and conditions which outline the inspection scope and what we do and do not cover

I want to buy a brick house built on a concrete slab. Are you sure I still need a pest report?

We are often asked this question and the simple answer is yes. Pests only need a gap of 2mm to get in, so even though the building may have a concrete slab base, there could still be gaps in the mortar or bricks and even the drainpipes that would allow pests in. Although we tend to think of Melbourne as flat and uniform, it is very diverse. Some areas shift a lot due to poor clay soil, and others are prone to pest infestation, regardless of building material or age of the house. Call Mike on 0481 299 682 with your inquiry.

Am I covered for anything that comes up in the house inspection report after I’ve signed a sales contract?

We strongly recommend that you conduct a building inspection before signing any contract. Most sales contracts will only protect you if our inspection shows there to be any 'major structural defects' or ‘significant termite infestation’ in the building.

I need this inspection ASAP! How soon can you produce a report?

Please call Mike on 0481 299 682 with your inquiry, as we can sometimes do it on the same day as we may have had a cancelation. If not, we will do our best to work with you within your timeframe.

How does Northern House Inspections get in to the property?

This is very easy for our clients - we take care of everything. For access, we usually make contact with the real estate agents and leave it up to them to arrange access for us. However, if it is a private sale, we will make appropriate arrangements directly with the vendors.

Am I allowed to be present on the day of the house inspection?

Most of our clients prefer to have a detailed discussion with our inspector after they have received the report. The report is presented, with photographs, normally within 24 hours of the inspection. However, if you do want to be there yourself this is not a problem. As the inspection is a very detailed process, all we request is that the inspector is allowed to complete his work with no distractions.

Do you have sufficient experience? Do you have the right insurance?

Our Chief Inspector Mike Linklater has over two decades of combined experience with building inspections and in the building trade. This experience gives Northern House Inspections unique insight into the 'tricks of the trade' of the building industry. He also has extensive training in the state-of-the-art technology needed to complete each detailed report, and is highly experienced in interpreting building defects and outlining that information within your report.

Northern House Inspections undertake all inspections in accordance with the appropriate Australian Standards. You also have full protection for both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability. Read more about our insurance.