Pre-Purchase Building Inspections. Hobart & Eastern Shore and Southern Tasmania.

A pre-purchase building inspection is one of the most important steps in protecting yourself when buying a home.

Building eValuate provides thorough, independent pre-purchase inspections to help buyers understand exactly what they are purchasing before making a binding commitment.

Step-by-Ste

Why a Pre-Purchase Inspection Matters

Even well-presented homes can conceal issues that aren’t visible during open inspections.

A professional inspection can identify:

Structural defects that affect long-term value
Moisture issues that may worsen over time
Poor workmanship or non-compliant work
Maintenance liabilities that impact budgeting
Safety concerns requiring attention

This information may assist with:

Purchase decisions
Price negotiations
Repair planning
Peace of mind

How it Works

The Inspection Process

Initial discussion about the property and timeframe
On-site inspection conducted personally by Paul
Detailed written report prepared and delivered the same day or within 24 hours
Follow-up discussion to clarify findings if required

The goal is not just to identify issues, but to explain what they mean in practical terms.

Full Transparency

Clear Reporting. No Surprises.

Reports are structured to be:

Easy to read
Technically accurate
Supported by photographs
Prioritised by significance

You won’t receive alarmist language or unnecessary speculation, just a balanced assessment of the building’s condition.

The Roadmap

Local, Independent, Accountable

Initial discussion about the property and timeframe
On-site inspection conducted personally by Paul
Detailed written report prepared and delivered the same day or within 24 hours
Follow-up discussion to clarify findings if required

The goal is not just to identify issues, but to explain what they mean in practical terms.

Independent Pre-Purchase Building Inspections in Hobart & Southern Tasmania

Are you planning to buy a house or building in Hobart or Southern Tasmania? At Building eValuate, we offer independent pre-purchase home and building inspections using state-of- the-art tools, including thermal imaging cameras and moisture detection meters. Ensure your investment is sound and free from hidden defects.

Download a sample pre-purchase inspection report PDF (995kb)

Why Choose Building eValuate for Your Pre-Purchase Building Inspection?

Accredited Building Practitioners – Our team is fully licensed and experienced in providing detailed inspections across Tasmania.
Professional Building Inspectors – We provide thorough, honest, and unbiased assessments of your property.
Over 3,000 Completed Inspections – We have extensive experience in the Tasmanian housing market.
Certified Thermographers – We use advanced thermal imaging technology, including the FLIR E54 Thermal Imaging Camera, to detect moisture and insulation issues.
Fully Insured – We carry full professional indemnity and public liability insurance to protect your interests.
Detailed Reports – Our reports are not just checklists. They include clear, detailed information and images that highlight problem areas.
Independent Consultancy – As an independent consultancy, we guarantee honest, impartial reporting, free from real estate agent influence.

Why Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection Before Buying a Home?

Buying a home is one of the largest financial investments you’ll make. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by Building eValuate will highlight any existing defects and potential problems, giving you peace of mind before committing to the purchase. Our accredited building inspectors provide comprehensive reports that are essential when planning for renovations, extensions, or even future resale.

Getting detailed information before signing a contract ensures that future repairs or alterations can be accurately budgeted for. In many cases, if issues are identified, you may be able to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price. Some mortgage providers also require an inspection before they commit to funding a home loan.

What Do We Look for in a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection?

Our inspections follow Australian Standard AS 4349.1-1995 and include a visual assessment of the property to evaluate its general condition and identify any major defects. We inspect the following areas (where access is available):

Interior: Ceilings, walls, floors, windows, light switches, and more
Exterior: Walls (including lintels, claddings, doors, and windows), timber or steel frames, chimneys, stairs, balconies, patios, and decks.
Roof Exterior: Roof materials (tiles, shingles, slates, roof sheeting), skylights, vents, gutters, and downpipes.
Roof Space: Roof framing, insulation, sarking, and ventilation.
Sub-Floor Space: Timber flooring, supports, drainage, ventilation, and dampness.

How Are Defects Reported?

After the inspection, our inspector compiles a comprehensive report that documents any building or maintenance issues identified during the inspection. Each report includes detailed images to help you clearly understand where defects are located. Defects are categorised as follows:

Major Defects: Issues that must be rectified to prevent unsafe conditions, loss of utility, or further deterioration of the property.
Minor Defects: Primarily aesthetic or localised issues that may not require immediate action.
Safety Hazards: Defects that could pose a serious safety risk.
Further Investigation: Possible defects that warrant further examination by a specialist.

How Much Does a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Cost?

The cost of a Building eValuate pre-purchase building inspection, including a full written report, typically ranges from $500 to $750, depending on the size, location, and age of the property. We can provide a quote over the phone, or you can contact us for a fixed-price quote.

The cost of building inspections is based on an hourly rate and includes the time spent on onsite investigation and preparing the report. Larger or older buildings generally take longer to inspect and report on than smaller homes or units, and pricing is adjusted accordingly.

How Do I Arrange a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Building eValuate will coordinate a convenient time with the agent/vendor to inspect the property. Inspections typically take up to two hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. All inspections are conducted by an experienced, accredited building practitioner.

Defect examples recorded at recently inspected buildings:
[Click on any image for more information.]

Rusty wooden framework inside an unfinished attic with exposed insulation wrapped in foil and plastic bags. — Old original roof sheeting corroding in the sheet overlaps

Handheld Extech moisture meter displaying 4.9 on a cracked pink wall with white ceiling trim above — Cracked wall and higher than normal moisture readings suggest that some leakage has occurred behind the surface

Damaged roof fascia with peeling paint and visible timber deterioration on a residential building exterior

Damaged metal roof panel with a torn translucent sheet and a wooden support across the ridge — Poorly installed translucent sheet secured with an external batten with the end of the sheet is not covered by the ridge capping

Gray metal roofing panel corner with folded seam and white flashing, viewed outdoors against a hillside background — Flashings are incomplete above the roof line on a newly constructed building

Close-up of weathered wooden planks inside a staircase, with metal railings and yellow insulation backing. — Timber rot in the stair treads have compromised the safety of this deck access stairway

Damaged wooden wall and ceiling with soot stains and exposed pipes in a dark damp room — Leakage under a wet area has caused some rot in the structural timbers and some mould formation

Wall Defects — Structural wall cracking caused by site drainage issues resulting in softening of the footing support soils

Indoor floor heater beside sliding glass doors opening to a deck with planters and flowers — Large sliding door retrofitted to access deck can potentially compromise the original wall bracing

Damaged white wooden siding with peeling paint near a gutter and window trim — Rot in weatherboards requires repairs

Wood ceiling joists and beams with visible stains and black marks, viewed from below in a basement-like space — There is no underfloor insulation installed. Insulating floors will improve comfort and energy efficiency

Hot Water Cylinder has failed and requires replacement.

Structural floor supports are not engineered for this purpose.

Walls below ground level have lateral damp penetration due to inadequate external waterproofing and drainage.

Upper deck is leaking at Bedroom ceiling.

Boundary wall has structural cracking. Requires reconstruction.

Old retaining wall has moved laterally and will require reconstruction.

2 year old bathroom walk in shower has failed.

Stacked block pier is inadequate long term support.

Rusty wooden support beam leaning against a brick wall under a building overhang. — Leaking downpipe requires replacement. This can result in water ingress in the wall cavity and/or can result in footing issues if left unchecked

Concrete basement steps with cracked tread, red brick walls, and potted plant on the landing — Cracking and separation at the concrete stairs has compromised the support. This is a significant safety issue

Basement ceiling and exposed wooden beams with black plumbing pipes and a wall of brick below — Leakage under a wet area has damaged the particle board floor sheeting

Dimly lit basement floor covered in gravel and debris with broken concrete and scattered items — Cracked soil in the sub-floor suggesting that seasonal wetting and drying occurs. This can lead to softening of soils and potentially compromise the building structural support

Red brick wall with a small cracked mortar line and a partial window frame at right — Structural wall cracking caused by site drainage issues resulting in softening of the footing support soils

Beige hot water tank and gray gas boiler in a brick utility room, with electrical wiring on piping — Brick pier and post assemble have been compromised by excavating close to the pad (undermining). The structural floor support has been compromised

Thermal camera view showing a glowing heat spot rectangle with a circular target reticle in the center — Thermal image picture in picture. The dark area indicating leakage at the lower ceiling from an upstairs Bathroom. This was not visible to the naked eye.

Game UI screen with a blue glowing crosshair over a colorful purple-orange blur background and FLIR label — Thermal image of a plasterboard ceiling. The dark areas indicating areas of missing ceiling insulation.

Before you buy a house in Tasmania, talk to Building eValuate about a pre-purchase building inspection. It could save you thousands of dollars and provide valuable insights into the condition of your property.