Know exactly what you're buying — before you sign.

Independent pre-purchase building inspections across Melbourne's north-east, backed by more than 20 years in the building industry. Plain-language reports, delivered same day.

Book an Inspection Retirement Village Inspections
20+Years in the building industry
10Years in retirement living
Same dayReport delivery
100%Independent — no agent ties
Our Services

Inspections for every stage

Every report is written in plain English, includes marked-up photos of every defect, and is delivered the same day as the inspection.

Most popular

Pre-Purchase Building Inspection

A full structural and condition inspection before you buy — roof exterior, roof space, subfloor, interior, wet areas, and site. Know every defect and what it will cost you before auction day.

$595 inc. GST

Pre-Sale Vendor Inspection

Selling? Find and fix the issues a buyer's inspector will flag — or price them in — before your property hits the market. Avoid renegotiation surprises.

$550 inc. GST

New Home Handover (PCI)

Practical completion inspection for your new build. A detailed defect list your builder must address before you accept the keys — while you still have leverage.

$495 inc. GST

Defect & Insurance Reports

Independent defect documentation for insurance claims, owner-builder warranty, and disputes — drawing on 10 years' hands-on experience in insurance repair works.

from $450 inc. GST

Maintenance & Safety Inspection

Periodic condition check for established homes and investment properties. Catch small problems before they become five-figure repairs.

$395 inc. GST

Auction-Ready Express

Short-notice inspection with verbal findings on the day and the written report that evening — built for Melbourne's auction timelines.

$650 inc. GST
Melbourne's Only Specialist

Retirement Village Inspections

Buying into a retirement village is a different decision with different risks — refurbishment clauses, exit fees, accessibility, village maintenance. After 10 years working inside the retirement living sector, Nathan runs a dedicated inspection service built for residents and the families helping them decide. From $295, with same-day plain-language reports.

Retirement Village Inspections →
How It Works

Booked to report in 24 hours

A streamlined process built around Melbourne's property timelines.

Book

Call 1300 489 150 or use the booking form. Most inspections scheduled within 48 hours — same-week guaranteed.

Inspect

Nathan personally inspects the property — roof to subfloor — photographing and marking up every defect as he goes.

Walk-through

You're welcome on site. Get a verbal rundown of the findings on the spot, in plain English.

Report

Your full photographic report lands in your inbox the same day, with defects graded by severity and priced guidance where it matters.

Melba Building Inspections
Nathan Maries
Principal Inspector
About

Nathan Maries

Nathan has spent more than 20 years in the Melbourne building industry. He ran Melba Building Services, a building and carpentry firm working across Kew, Camberwell, Greensborough, Eltham and Melbourne's north-east — earning a 4.7/5 rating from 24 independent Word of Mouth reviews and Word of Mouth Service Awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015. His projects ranged from window and roof repairs to $350,000 extensions, and architects engaged him directly on their own builds.

That builder's eye is what he brings to inspections: he's built the things he now inspects. His background is unusually broad — 10 years working within the retirement living sector, inside the villages and on the units, and years of insurance and maintenance repair works, assessing and rectifying damaged buildings. He's seen how buildings fail, how they get patched, and where problems hide.

Every inspection is done by Nathan personally. No subcontractors, no franchise checklist-tickers — the person who inspects your property is the person who signs the report and answers your phone call afterwards.

20+ years building industry 4.7★ from 24 independent reviews 10 years retirement living sector Insurance repair works background Fully insured 100% independent
What Clients Say

A track record you can check

These are real, verified reviews of Nathan's work at Melba Building Services on Word of Mouth — rated 4.7/5 across 24 reviews.

"Used Nathan for a pre-purchase building inspection and was greatly impressed with his professionalism and attention to detail. I would highly recommend Nathan."

— Word of Mouth review, Camberwell

"I am an Architect, and I use Nathan for my projects. His attention to detail is second to none. He is a genuine all-round builder... flexible, understanding, polite and skilled at what he does."

— Word of Mouth review, Epping

"I found Nathan is very reliable and trustworthy. He gave me many good advice along the way... he's really professional and had good quality work."

— Word of Mouth review, Kew
Service Areas

Melbourne's north-east and beyond

Based in the north-east, servicing metropolitan Melbourne. Not listed? Just ask.

GreensboroughIvanhoeKewElthamDoncasterTemplestoweBundooraHeidelbergRosannaMacleodWatsoniaDiamond CreekHurstbridgeWarrandyteBalwynCamberwellPrestonReservoirThornburyNorthcoteMill ParkSouth MorangEppingWhittleseaBox HillRingwoodCroydonLilydale
FAQ

Common questions

Anything else — call and ask. You'll get Nathan, not a call centre.

How quickly can you inspect?

Most inspections are scheduled within 48 hours of booking, and same-week is guaranteed. For auctions, the Auction-Ready Express service gets you verbal findings on the day and the written report that evening.

What does the report include?

A plain-English summary, every defect photographed and marked up, severity grading (major / minor / maintenance), and practical guidance on what each issue means. Reports follow the scope of AS 4349.1 pre-purchase inspection standards.

Can I attend the inspection?

Yes — you're encouraged to. Nathan walks you through the findings on site and answers questions in plain language. For retirement village inspections, family members are very welcome.

What makes a retirement village inspection different?

Retirement units sit inside contracts with refurbishment and exit-fee clauses — the unit's physical condition has direct financial consequences a standard inspection ignores. Nathan's 10 years in the sector means he inspects the unit, the accessibility features, and the village context: the things that actually affect what you'll pay and what you'll get back.

Are you independent?

Completely. No referral arrangements with real estate agents, builders or village operators. The report is written for you alone.

Are you insured?

Yes — fully insured including professional indemnity and public liability. Certificates of currency available on request.

Book an Inspection

Let's take a look

Call, email, or send the form — you'll get a response the same business day.

1300 489 150
nathan@melbabuildinginspections.com.au
PO Box 109, Montmorency VIC 3094 — servicing metropolitan Melbourne