Comprehensive Building Inspection Checklist For First Home Buyers in Melbourne, Victoria

A comprehensive checklist for first-home buyers in Melbourne should cover what you can inspect yourself at an open home and what should be assessed by a qualified building inspector before you commit to purchasing. While a professional inspection is strongly recommended, this checklist can help you identify obvious issues and ask the right questions.

1. Property Details

☐ Property address

☐ Inspection date

☐ Property type (House / Townhouse / Unit / Apartment)

☐ Approximate age of property

☐ Agent name and contact

☐ Asking price

2. Exterior Inspection

Roof

☐ Roof appears straight with no sagging

☐ No cracked or missing roof tiles

☐ Metal roofing free from rust

☐ Flashings secure

☐ Ridge capping intact

☐ No signs of previous roof repairs

☐ No vegetation growing on roof

Gutters & Downpipes

☐ Gutters securely fixed

☐ No rust or corrosion

☐ No overflowing water stains

☐ Downpipes discharge away from house

☐ Leaf guards fitted (if applicable)

Walls

☐ No major cracks

☐ Brickwork not bowing

☐ Mortar joints intact

☐ Render free from significant cracking

☐ No loose cladding

☐ No signs of damp

Windows

☐ Open and close smoothly

☐ Locks work

☐ No broken glass

☐ Frames free from rot

☐ Weather seals intact

Doors

☐ External doors close properly

☐ Locks function correctly

☐ No sticking or sagging

3. Foundations & Structural

☐ No significant cracks in slab

☐ No sinking or movement

☐ No uneven floors

☐ Brickwork aligned

☐ Expansion joints in good condition

☐ No evidence of subsidence

☐ No tree roots affecting foundations

4. Site Drainage

☐ Ground slopes away from house

☐ No pooling water

☐ Stormwater drains clear

☐ No erosion

☐ Retaining walls stable

☐ No overflowing drains

5. Interior

Walls

☐ No large cracks

☐ No water stains

☐ No bubbling paint

☐ No mould

Ceilings

☐ Straight with no sagging

☐ No leaks

☐ Cornices secure

☐ No patch repairs indicating water damage

Floors

☐ No squeaking

☐ Level throughout

☐ Tiles not cracked

☐ Timber flooring not lifting

☐ Carpet in good condition

6. Kitchen

☐ Cabinets open smoothly

☐ Bench tops undamaged

☐ Sink drains correctly

☐ Tapware functions

☐ No leaks under sink

☐ Oven operational

☐ Cooktop in good condition

☐ Rangehood works

☐ Dishwasher operational

☐ Adequate ventilation

7. Bathrooms

☐ Shower waterproofing appears sound

☐ No loose tiles

☐ Grout intact

☐ Vanity free from leaks

☐ Toilet flushes correctly

☐ Good water pressure

☐ Exhaust fan working

☐ No mould

☐ Silicone seals intact

8. Laundry

☐ Taps operate correctly

☐ Waste drain functional

☐ No leaks

☐ Adequate ventilation

9. Plumbing

☐ Hot water service age

☐ Hot water reaches all taps

☐ Water pressure adequate

☐ No leaking pipes

☐ No noisy plumbing

☐ Sewer smells absent

10. Electrical

(A licensed electrician is required for a full electrical assessment.)

☐ Modern switchboard

☐ Safety switches (RCDs) installed

☐ Smoke alarms installed

☐ Power points secure

☐ Light switches working

☐ Exterior lighting operational

☐ No exposed wiring

11. Heating & Cooling

☐ Split system operates

☐ Ducted heating functioning

☐ Evaporative cooling working

☐ Airflow adequate

☐ Filters appear clean

12. Roof Space (if accessible)

☐ No daylight visible through roof

☐ Insulation installed

☐ No water staining

☐ Roof framing sound

☐ No termite damage

☐ No rodent activity

13. Subfloor (if accessible)

☐ Dry underneath

☐ Good ventilation

☐ No termite activity

☐ Timber stumps sound

☐ No rotting timber

☐ No plumbing leaks

14. Pest Inspection

☐ No termite mud tubes

☐ No timber damage

☐ No borers

☐ No excessive moisture

☐ No rodent activity

A separate timber pest inspection is recommended, particularly for older Melbourne homes.

15. Outdoor Structures

Garage

☐ Door operates smoothly

☐ Roof sound

☐ Slab level

Deck

☐ No loose boards

☐ Handrails secure

☐ Posts stable

Pergola

☐ Structurally sound

☐ No timber rot

Fence

☐ Stable

☐ No leaning

☐ Gates operate properly

16. Safety

☐ Smoke alarms fitted

☐ Pool fencing compliant (if applicable)

☐ Stair handrails secure

☐ Balustrades secure

☐ No trip hazards

17. Signs of Moisture

Look for:

☐ Damp smells

☐ Rising damp

☐ Efflorescence (white salts)

☐ Bubbling paint

☐ Mould

☐ Water stains

☐ Condensation issues

18. Common Melbourne Issues

Pay particular attention to:

☐ Reactive clay soil movement

☐ Restumping requirements

☐ Cracked brickwork

☐ Older terracotta roofs

☐ Rising damp in period homes

☐ Asbestos in homes built before the late 1980s

☐ Illegal renovations or extensions

☐ Poor drainage after heavy rain

☐ Termites in timber-framed homes

☐ Tree roots impacting foundations

19. Apartment or Unit Checklist

If purchasing a unit or apartment:

☐ Inspect common areas

☐ Check lifts

☐ Review parking

☐ Assess security

☐ Examine storage cage

☐ Review Owners Corporation records

☐ Ask about special levies

☐ Review maintenance history

20. Documentation to Request

Before making an offer, obtain and review:

☐ Contract of Sale

☐ Vendor Statement (Section 32)

☐ Building inspection report

☐ Timber pest inspection report

☐ Certificate of Occupancy (if applicable)

☐ Building permits for renovations

☐ Plumbing and electrical compliance certificates (if available)

☐ Owners Corporation certificate (for apartments, units and townhouses)

☐ Council planning information

☐ Flood, bushfire or heritage overlays

☐ Recent utility bills (if available)

Questions to Ask the Agent

☐ Why is the property being sold?

☐ How long has it been on the market?

☐ Have there been any building or pest issues?

☐ Has the property ever flooded?

☐ When was the roof last repaired?

☐ When was the hot water service replaced?

☐ Have there been any renovations? Were permits obtained?

☐ Are there any known disputes with neighbours?

☐ Are there any easements affecting the property?

☐ What are the estimated council rates and water charges?

Final Assessment

Rate each category from 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent):

Category Rating

Structure ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Roof ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Plumbing ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Electrical (visual) ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Interior ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Exterior ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Drainage ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Pest Risk ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Overall Condition ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5

Overall Notes:

• Major defects:
• Minor defects:
• Estimated repair costs:
• Recommended further inspections:
• Would you consider purchasing this property? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Maybe

Tip: In Victoria, a building inspection is a visual assessment and won’t usually include destructive testing or specialist evaluations (such as electrical, plumbing, or engineering assessments). For older homes, renovated properties, or homes showing signs of structural movement, it’s often worthwhile to engage additional specialists before committing to the purchase.