Building inspections · Canberra & ACT
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection in Canberra
Understand the property’s condition before you sign.
A pre-purchase building inspection is your independent check on a property before you commit. A licensed builder assesses every accessible area — structure, roof void, subfloor, walls, wet areas and site drainage — and sets out, in plain English, the condition of what you are buying.
We work for you and no one else. StraightUp Inspections has no ties to agents, builders or developers, so the report you receive is genuinely unbiased — backed by photographs and practical recommendations you can act on before settlement.
Who this inspection is for
- Home buyers wanting certainty before exchange or settlement
- Buyers under a tight cooling-off or auction deadline
- Investors assessing condition and future maintenance cost
- Anyone buying an older home, or one with visible cracking or moisture
What the inspection covers
The exact scope is agreed before the inspection and depends on what is safely accessible on the day. It generally covers:
- Roof exterior and roof void where accessible
- Subfloor, footings and underfloor drainage where accessible
- Structural walls, framing and movement
- Interior — floors, walls, ceilings, windows and doors
- Bathrooms, laundries and wet-area moisture checks
- External cladding, brickwork, decks, stairs and site drainage
- Major defects and safety concerns, with clear recommendations
- Annotated, high-resolution photographs throughout
What it does not cover
- Timber pest / termite inspection — we are happy to refer you to a qualified pest inspector
- Concealed or inaccessible areas (noted in the report as limitations)
Report delivery
We confirm the expected report delivery time when we arrange your inspection. If you have a settlement, cooling-off or auction deadline, tell us at the time of booking.
How your inspection works
-
01
Book in minutes
Call or request a quote online. Tell us the property and your deadline — we work around tight settlement and auction timelines.
-
02
A licensed builder inspects
Every accessible area is assessed using moisture meters, thermal imaging and digital levels where needed.
-
03
You receive the report
A clear, plain-English report with photographs and practical recommendations, delivered at the time agreed when you booked.
Issues we commonly find in Canberra
- Stair-step or diagonal cracking pointing to footing movement
- Moisture and damp in bathrooms, laundries and subfloors
- Roof defects — cracked tiles, failed flashing, rusted valleys
- Inadequate subfloor ventilation and poor site drainage
- Unpermitted or poor-quality renovations and additions
Common questions
What does a pre-purchase building inspection include?
A thorough visual assessment of all accessible areas — structure, roof void, subfloor, walls, wet areas and site drainage — with major defects, safety concerns and maintenance issues explained in plain English and backed by annotated photographs.
Do you also do pest inspections?
No. We specialise exclusively in building inspections, carried out by licensed builders. If you need timber pest cover, we are happy to point you toward a qualified pest inspector.
When will I receive the report?
We confirm the expected delivery time when we arrange the inspection. Let us know at that point if you are working to a deadline.
Are you independent?
Completely. We have no affiliation with builders, developers or real estate agents, so your report is genuinely unbiased.
More questions are answered on the FAQ page.
Get a quote for your inspection.
Tell us about the property and the inspection you need. We’ll get back to you with the next steps.