Building and Pest Inspections in Ivanhoe
Independent Building Inspections for Ivanhoe’s Heritage Homes
Ivanhoe is one of Melbourne’s most established north-eastern suburbs, defined by wide boulevards, mature trees and beautiful period housing. Between grand Victorian and Edwardian homes, California Bungalows, post-war brick veneers and newer rebuilds, each era comes with its own inspection considerations.
Authority Building Inspections has reported straight for Melbourne homeowners since 2007. We’re registered builders, not just inspectors, and our team has the depth to spot issues in a 130-year-old Victorian just as reliably as in a recent architectural build.
- Registered builders with 20+ years of experience
- Every inspector has at least 10 years in the trade
- Complies with Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007
- 24-hour reports, 4-hour turnaround available
- Free thermal imaging on every inspection
- Fully insured
Building in Whittlesea? Get confidence every step of the way!








Inspection Services for Ivanhoe Properties
Whether you’re buying a Federation home on a leafy boulevard, an apartment near Ivanhoe Station, or planning a heritage-sensitive renovation, we have an inspection service to match. Our services cover Ivanhoe and the wider Banyule area.
- Pre-purchase building and pest inspections for period homes, apartments and contemporary builds.
- Practical completion inspections for new builds, rear extensions and second-storey additions.
- Construction progress inspections at slab, frame, lock-up and fixing stages.
- Termite and timber pest inspections important for older weatherboards and subfloor timber.
- Dilapidation reports for owners next door to major renovations or excavation.
You can find our full service list on our homepage.
Pre-Purchase Inspections for Ivanhoe Buyers
Buying a period home in Ivanhoe is exciting, but older properties can hide expensive surprises. Rising damp in solid brick walls, sagging plaster ceilings, worn galvanised plumbing and outdated wiring are all common in homes over 80 years old. A thorough pre-purchase inspection tells you exactly what you’re buying and what maintenance is ahead.
Our inspectors go through the property in detail:
- Structural elements: footings, walls, floors and load-bearing sections
- Roof coverings: tiles, slates, valleys, flashings and gutters
- Subfloor, ventilation and rising damp indicators
- Wet areas, plumbing and hot water
- Termite activity and timber pest risk
- Cracking, subsidence and evidence of past repairs
Book a combined pre-purchase building and pest inspection and you’ll get both in one visit and one report. If your first deal falls through, we’ll take $60 off your next inspection.
Renovation, Restoration and New Build Inspections
Ivanhoe homeowners often choose to restore rather than replace, and many properties sit within heritage overlays that shape what can be knocked down. Even so, there’s plenty of building work happening here, from rear extensions to full rebuilds where allowed. Independent inspections at every stage protect you against expensive rework.
We inspect at every key milestone:
- Slab stage
- Frame stage
- Lock-up stage
- Fixing stage
- Practical completion and handover
A practical completion inspection is done before final payment and handover. We flag any work that falls short of Australian Standards in writing, so your builder rectifies it while they’re still responsible.
Why Ivanhoe Buyers Come Back to Authority Building Inspections
Ivanhoe locals are careful with their money and their property decisions. Many of our clients here become repeat clients: first home, then the renovation, then the investment property. The formula is simple: honest reports, plain language, inspectors who know their stuff.
- Family-owned since 2007: Independent, no ties to agents or builders.
- Qualified inspectors only: Never subcontracted out.
- 50+ page reports: P Detailed findings with high-resolution photos.
- Free phone consultation: Discuss your report with the inspector who did the job.
- Fast turnaround: Reports guaranteed within 4 hours of the inspection.
What’s in Your Ivanhoe Inspection Report
Every report is designed to be useful long after you buy. For period homes, that means clear maintenance priorities. For newer builds, it means a written record of every issue your builder is responsible for.
- Structural findings and signs of movement, cracking or subsidence
- Roof coverings, tiles, slates and gutter condition
- Subfloor, drainage and rising damp indicators
- Termite activity, timber pest risk and moisture readings
- Compliance and safety concerns
- High-resolution photos with clear notes
- Executive summary and specialist follow-up recommendations
Suburbs Around Ivanhoe We Cover
We service Ivanhoe and the surrounding Banyule and Darebin suburbs.
Nearby suburbs we also cover include:
- Ivanhoe East
- Eaglemont
- Heidelberg
- Fairfield
- Alphington
- Rosanna
- Bellfield
- Northcote
Whether you’re buying a Victorian on a boulevard, extending a Federation home or investing in an apartment near the station, our inspectors know the local terrain and building styles.
EXCELLENT Based on 136 reviews Posted on Google Marissa BalsillieTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Prompt response and great advice. Highly recommendPosted on Google Alex BarrasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have used Authority Building Solutions twice now, and I genuinely wouldn’t go anywhere else. From the moment I first enquired, Nicole was incredibly helpful, prompt and accommodating. Both times, we were working with urgent timelines, and she went above and beyond to organise everything quickly — even working after hours to make sure things got across the line. Because of their responsiveness, we were able to arrange a building inspection and receive the report in time to confidently make an offer, ultimately helping us secure the house of our dreams! Alastair completed both of our building inspections and was incredibly thorough. The reports were exceptionally detailed, with a huge number of photos and almost 100 pages of information each. They didn’t just help us make an informed decision about the properties — they contained so much useful information that we’ll be able to refer back to for years to come. Prompt, communicative, thorough and reliable. The level of service from both Nicole and Alastair has been outstanding, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Authority Building Solutions to anyone needing a building inspection.Posted on Google Rob BirdTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Al and Nicole were fantastic to deal with and very prompt and professional when Al came out to do the inspection. He picked up a number of things I didn't see. Fair and reasonably priced as well.Posted on Google Kay CTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly experienced builder and personal Team. Incredibly efficient and precise in their reports which facilitates confident negotiations and acquisitions. I am keeping your contact for the future, Alistair. Thank you. Highly recommended.Posted on Google MSTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair did an excellent job with the building and pest inspection. He was thorough and professional, and the report was exceptionally comprehensive, clear and easy to understand. It gave me valuable insight into the property and greater confidence as a first-home buyer. I highly recommend his services!Posted on Google K RintoulTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair has been really helpful! It is clear he really cares about the job he does and helping home owners understand the complexities around building & renovations. I would recommend.👍Posted on Google Sharyn CampbellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you ever need a quick and responsive building inspection, this is the company to go with. The realestate agent was a bit apprehensive because it was an inspection the week before the auction, but we were able to get an inspection done in a very short space of time, early in the week. Communication was fantastic, as was the very detailed report, within 2 hours of the inspection, along with photos of everything!!!! When I needed a little confirmation about one particular aspect, I had a response that assured me of how I could proceed. Great price and could not fault the process. Would recommend this company to anyone looking for an inspection prior to purchasing a propertyPosted on Google Melissa WebbersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This company was super easy to work with and very efficient, needing a property inspection with report within 7 days and providing flexibility to support agent and vendor needs. Alastair whom undertook the work provided a comprehensive report with photos and then a follow up conversation to talk through his findings. He was informative, detailed, professional and very timely with his advice. Absolutely recommend working with this company and Alastair into the future!Posted on Google B CohenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair was very thorough with our inspection. He genuinely did a deep and considered dive into the property. I’d recommend his services without hesitation.Posted on Google Caleb GeppertTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair from Authority Building Inspections provided an outstanding service. He was thorough, professional and clearly explained his findings throughout the inspection and two reports he provided. His reports were detailed, easy to understand and completed with an exceptionally quick turnaround despite managing a busy workload. I greatly appreciated Alistair's responsiveness and attention to detail and would highly recommend him to anyone needing a reliable and knowledgeable building inspector and timely report preparation with Alistair even getting up at 5:30am to complete them on the day requested. Highly recommend his services
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you inspect heritage-listed and period homes in Ivanhoe?
Yes. Period homes are a big part of what we do in Ivanhoe. Our inspectors are experienced with Victorian, Edwardian, Federation and Californian Bungalow construction, and know the common issues for each era.
What should I watch out for in older Ivanhoe properties?
Rising damp, cracked plaster, deteriorating slates or tiles, worn galvanised plumbing and outdated wiring are all common in Ivanhoe’s period stock. We flag every issue in the report and recommend follow-up specialists where needed.
Do you check for asbestos, lead paint or rising damp?
A standard inspection includes a visual assessment for signs of these issues, but definitive testing requires a licensed specialist. We note anything of concern and recommend a specialist assessment where appropriate.
Can you inspect a home that’s inside a heritage overlay?
Yes. Heritage overlays affect what you can change, not our ability to inspect. Our reports document the current condition so you know what maintenance the property will need. Termite risk in older subfloor timber is also worth checking with a full timber pest inspection.
How much does an inspection in Ivanhoe cost?
Pricing depends on the size and age of the property, and whether you need a combined report. Larger period homes take longer than compact apartments. Request a free quote for your specific property.
Ready to Book?
Whether you’re buying, restoring or extending in Ivanhoe, we’ll give you the honest report you need. Call 1800 75 25 85 or contact us online for a fast, obligation-free quote.