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 Rising damp in solid brick walls, sagging plaster ceilings, worn galvanised plumbing and outdated wiring are all common in homes over 80 years old.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 within 24 hours, often the same day.
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 118 reviews Posted on Google Ken FayTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend Alister for anyone needing a building inspection. He was extremely professional, punctual, and thorough throughout the process. His attention to detail was excellent, he took the time to clearly explain his findings in a way that was easy to understand. His communication was clear and responsive, which made the whole process stress free. Alister also provided after inspection follow up phone Call to address any questions after receiving the report. Highly recommend 👍Posted on Google Carolyn WilcocksonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A speedy response and great report - simple and articulate. Thank youPosted on Google Kerrie TreweekTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair was a joy to work with. Great communication from the start. I got the inspection report within hours of his visit. He was extremely thorough & was happy to discuss the issues that were brought up. Highly recommend.Posted on Google Rachel WerdinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nicole and Alistair were absolutely brilliant!! Can't recommend them highly enough - timely and professional communications, they were able to quickly and smoothly sort everything out for us with a pre-puchase building inspectioon, deliver to us a detailed report and the phone call with Alistair afterwards was incredibly useful. Thanks so much Nicole and Alistair - 5 stars!Posted on Google Helen STrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My fiancé and I were under pressure to secure a property and needed someone reliable, fast. We reached out expecting a wait, but Alistair made time almost immediately to inspect the property. Although we weren’t successful with that one, it gave us complete confidence in him. When the next opportunity came up, we knew we could rely on Alistair to act quickly - and he delivered. His turnaround time on reports is exceptional, and it genuinely made the difference in helping us secure our second property. His reports are thorough, detailed, and easy to understand, and his advice is practical and trustworthy. I only wish we had connected with him earlier in our home-buying journey. Thanks again, Alistair 🏡🔑🎉 your support made all the difference!Posted on Google Jess RsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend Alistair for pest and building inspections. He was transparent and honest throughout the entire process, a genuine pleasure to speak with, and took the time to explain everything clearly in a way that was practical and easy to understand. His report was thorough, detailed, and incredibly in-depth, with realistic feedback on issues that actually mattered — not alarmist, just professional and balanced. I really appreciated his attention to detail, integrity, and willingness to answer questions. His inspection gave us confidence to make informed decisions. Excellent service from start to finish.Posted on Google Lyndel ThompsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found Alistair on highpages and he was very professional. He contacted the real estate agent himself and set up an appointment for the building inspection. Once completed he sent me the report very swiftly on the same day as the inspection. The report was very detailed with everything explained, alongside with photos. I spoke to Alistair and asked multiple questions about the unit I was purchasing. He was very patient in answering and explaining my concerns and he put my mind at ease. I have no hesitation in recommend Alistair to anyone who needs a thorough building inspection. He works for himself and he alone performs the inspection. Thanks Alistair.Posted on Google AnonymousTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alistair carried out a very thorough inspection and took the time to speak with us afterward to go through his overall thoughts, which we really appreciated. Great price, and the inspection was organised and completed within 24 hours, which we weren’t expecting but was fantastic. We also received the report within an hour of the inspection. Highly professional service, would absolutely recommend. 10/10Posted on Google Jay RyanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Called ABI last night about 6.30pm to see if there was availability for a building inspection. Not only did they answer the call, but we got the report not even 24 hours later which was much faster than expected! The team seemed friendly and the report was easy enough to read. - They also answered any questions you had over the phone. I would have no problem going through this company again. Thanks once again for a quick turn around and outstanding service.
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.