Know exactly what you're buying — before you sign.
Independent pre-purchase building inspections across Melbourne's north-east, backed by 23 years in the building industry. Photos of every defect, and the report the same day.
Inspections for every stage
Every report has marked-up photos of every defect, and is delivered the same day as the inspection.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection
Our core service. 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. Reported to AS 4349.1.
Pre-Purchase Building + Timber Pest
Your full pre-purchase building inspection paired with a timber-pest report — termites, borers, fungal decay and the conditions that invite them. Pest component carried out by a licensed timber-pest inspector and delivered with your building report.
Building Stage Inspections
Independent checks through your new build — base/slab, frame, lock-up, fixing and final handover — catching defects at each stage while your builder can still fix them easily. Book single stages, or the full five-stage package for $2,950.
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.
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.
Thermal Imaging
A non-invasive thermal-imaging scan that reveals hidden moisture, active water leaks and missing insulation behind walls, ceilings and floors — the problems a visual inspection alone can't see. Add it to any inspection, or book it on its own.
Defect & Insurance Reports
Independent defect documentation for insurance claims, owner-builder warranty, disputes and VCAT proceedings — including expert witness defect reports, drawing on 10 years' hands-on experience in insurance repair works.
Maintenance & Safety Inspection
Periodic condition check for established homes and investment properties. Catch small problems before they become five-figure repairs.
Rental Minimum Standards Check
Independent compliance check of your rental against Victoria's 15 minimum standards — required before advertising and throughout the tenancy. Clear photographic report for owners and property managers, with portfolio rates available.
Dilapidation Report
Pre-construction condition survey of neighbouring properties before demolition, excavation or building works — your photographic evidence against damage claims. Multi-property rates for builders and developers.
Owners' Corporation Condition Report
Common-property condition assessments for owners' corporations and committees — maintenance planning, defect documentation and contractor scoping, written so your AGM can act on it.
Auction-Ready Express
Short-notice inspection with verbal findings on the day and the written report that evening — built for Melbourne's auction timelines.
Arranged through licensed partners
Need more than a building report? These are delivered through Nathan's network of licensed electrical, plumbing and mechanical specialists — booked into the one visit wherever possible, so you get a complete picture of the property.
Electrical Safety Inspection
A licensed electrician assesses the switchboard, visible wiring, safety switches (RCDs), smoke alarms and obvious faults — flagging safety and compliance concerns before you buy.
Plumbing Inspection
A licensed plumber checks supply and drainage, the hot-water system, water pressure and leaks — with a CCTV drain camera where needed to confirm the hidden costs a building report can't.
Mechanical / HVAC Inspection
Heating, cooling, ventilation and hot-water systems assessed by a specialist — condition, age and likely replacement cost — so there are no expensive surprises after settlement.
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 $395, with same-day reports.
Retirement Village Inspections →Booked to report in 24 hours
A streamlined process built around Melbourne's property timelines.
Book
Call Phone: 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.
Report
Your full photographic report lands in your inbox the same day, with defects graded by severity and priced guidance where it matters.
Nathan Maries
Nathan's been on Melbourne building sites for 23 years — carpenter, builder, and now inspector, working across Kew, Camberwell, Greensborough, Eltham and the north-east. His building firm earned a 4.7/5 rating from 24 independent Word of Mouth reviews and Service Awards three years running, and architects brought him onto their own projects.
That builder's eye is the difference. He's built, repaired and rectified the very things he now inspects — and with a decade around retirement living and insurance repair work, delivering projects for operators like Lendlease, Stockland and Aveo, he knows how homes fail, how they get patched, and where the problems hide. He's seen the operator side of the fence — now he inspects for you.
Every inspection is done by Nathan personally, with thermal imaging to pick up the moisture, leaks and insulation gaps you can't see. The person who walks your property is the person who writes the report, signs it, and picks up the phone when you call — and when a job needs a licensed electrician, plumber or pest inspector, he arranges it through his own trusted partners.
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."
"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."
"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."
Melbourne's north-east and beyond
Based in the north-east, servicing metropolitan Melbourne. Not listed? Just ask.
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 most are done within the week. 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 written summary you can act on, 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 your questions on the spot. 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.
Straight answers, before you book
Written for people about to spend a lot of money on a house. No sales pitch.
What a building inspection costs in Melbourne
Every price, what changes it, what is included and what is not.
Building and pest inspection — what you actually need
The difference between the two, and why most Melbourne buyers want both.
Retirement village exit fees explained
Deferred management fees, what condition has to do with them, and what changed in 2026.
About Nathan Maries
23 years in construction, and what that means when someone looks at your house.
For conveyancers and law firms
How referrals work, what your client gets back, and how quickly.
Let's take a look
Call, email, or send the form — you'll get a response the same business day.