Need a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection for a Home in Melbourne?
Get more information with a Pre-Purchase Building Engineer Report and find out exactly what you are buying.
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Chris and the team are very knowledgeable and experienced. They helped me understand why certain houses have maintenance issues and heaps of other tips to be aware of before placing an offer on the table. Confident I'll be using their services again! Highly recommend!
Had a great experience with Homebuyers Toolkit - really professional and friendly! We reached out to them following a negative B&P report, Chris walked us though the report and helped us navigate next steps by offering practical and expert advice
We had the pleasure of working with Chris during our recent home buying journey, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From start to finish, Chris was incredibly thorough, professional, and clear in all our interactions. He made complex aspects of home structures easy to understand by speaking in plain language, which helped us feel confident in our decisions. His building inspection was comprehensive and detailed—he not only identified key defects but also used high-definition visuals to clearly show the issues, which was incredibly helpful. What impressed me most was his follow-up; Chris took the time to make phone calls to ensure he was presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information, which really showed his commitment to providing exceptional service. Communication was another strong point. Chris was always prompt in responding, whether by text or phone, making the process smooth and stress-free. We felt supported every step of the way. We've already passed Chris’s contact details on to several colleagues and friends, as I have complete confidence in his expertise and service. If you’re looking for someone to guide you through the home buying process, we can’t recommend Chris highly enough.
Absolutely awesome. Chris is a huge help and a genuinely kind person! 10/10!!!
Chris has been great in advising us on both our current home and what to look for in our future home. He’s definitely the (secret) agent you want with you on your property search. We feel so much more confident in buying a place knowing that Chris has looked and signed it off first.
We were referred to Homebuyers Toolkit for a pre-purchase building inspection on an older property going to auction, we were limited for time, however, Chris was able to attend and review the property in a timely manner. What a great experience with exceptionally detailed information provided from Chris and Warren. The 1:1 meeting to discuss the detailed report and answer any further questions we had was a great addition to the service, and I would gladly recommend them and use them again myself!
Homebuyers Tool kit was of an exceptionally high standard. Chris demonstrated outstanding professionalism, arriving promptly and conducting a thorough assessment of the property. The engineering report was comprehensive, well-structured, and supported with clear photographic evidence, which provided valuable insight into both the condition of the property and any areas requiring attention. Chris’s knowledge and attention to detail were evident throughout the process. His ability to explain technical findings in a clear and concise manner was particularly appreciated, ensuring full understanding of the report’s contents. This level of service has provided me with complete confidence in making informed decisions regarding the property. I would not hesitate to recommend Homebuyers toolkit to anyone seeking a reliable, detailed, and professional building inspection service.
My partner and I recently used the home buyers toolkit to assist us in buying our first home. After almost 2 years of house hunting we were feeling lost and unsure what steps to take to be successful in purchasing our first home. After consulting with Chris, we purchased out first home within 2 weeks. Chris was able to guide us through every stage of the home buying process and offered a holistic service referring us to a mortgage broker, conveyancer and pest inspector, as well as completing a building inspection for the property. Chris is knowledgeable, very approachable and was patient with us and all our questions. We would highly recommend his services to any potential first home buyer.
From the moment I started using the Homebuyers Toolkit and working with Chris I felt a lot more comfortable looking at houses and getting his input on places based on his expertise. He was very prompt in his responses and willing to help. I can’t recommend the Homebuyers Toolkit highly enough.
Chris has been invaluable in offering clear, expert engineering advice during our home purchase. He assessed the structural integrity of any potential properties, giving us confidence in their condition, and provided insight into the area's projected growth. Highly recommend his services! Thank you Chris.
Chris was highly professional and I will 100% be recommending his services to my family and friends!
Great service, very professional and great communication. Very resourceful and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend
5,000+ Melbourne Homes Inspected
Homebuyers Toolkit is for you if...
You’re buying an established $1M+ residential home – NOT a unit, apartment or brand-new build.
You’ve found a home you're serious about in Melbourne’s inner east, north-east and eastern suburbs (see the map!).
You want an engineer-level inspection that gives you more information, so you can set your buying budget and negotiate (or walk away!) with confidence.
Book a Free Consultation and speak with a Building Engineer to identify the key risks for your new home
We don't need to tell you...
Buying a home is a huge investment for today, and for your future
So it’s important that you know that a Building Inspector will only give you snap shot of what needs fixing today, based on a simple list of visible defects.
Same tick-box checklist for every home
Short course training (3 day min)
Unregulated inspection industry
Cannot get you get you out of a contract for major defects
Not qualified to diagnose structural risk or repair costs
Inspection report = simple list of visible defects
Shows you only the condition today
While a Building Engineer can give you an expert diagnosis of risks and costs so that you’re in control of what happens in the future.
Foundation movement
Roof and wall structural failure
Termite risk and wet area leak detection
Stormwater drainage and moisture issues
Retaining wall movement and unstable slope conditions
Planning issues related to renovations
Gives you a plan for the future
Book a Free Consultation and speak with a Building Engineer to identify the key risks for your new home
The Expensive Problems We Find
(and Inspectors Miss!)
When things go wrong, homeowners and insurers don’t call Building Inspectors, they call Engineers like us to investigate.
Hidden Repair Cost:
$25,000 - $80,000
Not covered by insurance. Missed by building inspectors.
Foundation Underpinning & Drainage
Structural Building Movement (Eltham VIC)
We Give You Everything That's In A Building Inspection Report Plus More
Work with Homebuyers Toolkit and we’ll provide a Pre-Purchase Building Engineer Report that covers everything you would receive from a Building Inspector, plus a Structural Forensic Engineer, plus a lot of other good stuff to help you buy, negotiate (or walk away from!) your new home with confidence.
What You Get (Our Service):
Building Inspector Basics
On-site inspection (we inspect for 2-3hrs, where inspectors average 1hr)
Building defect catalogue (AS4349.1 - visible defects)
Moisture readings (visible leak detection)
Thermal imagery (heat & moisture patterns)
PLUS Structural Forensic Engineering
Structural building assessment (registered building engineer)
Foundation & floor monitoring (digital level survey, footing assessment)
Timber framing assessment (sag, loads, alterations)
Site & drainage classification (civil engineering assessment)
Roof drainage & condition imagery (drone imagery)
PLUS Other Good Stuff!
Specialist referrals (incl. to licensed timber pest & building professionals)
Land & planning report (zoning, overlays, easements)
Cost guidance & risk assessment (repair & maintenance cost ranges)
Renovation feasibility advice (preliminary options review)
Post-inspection debrief meeting (engineer walk-through of all the findings)
On-demand phone support (get your questions answered, even after moving in)
And if your first offer falls through,
we will review your next home for free!
Book a Free Consultation and speak with a Building Engineer to identify the key risks for your new home
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a building inspection if I choose your engineering service?
Our Building Engineer Report includes a full Pre-Purchase Building Inspection plus a lot more. You’re not paying extra; you’re just getting more.
What happens if you find major issues?
If a major defect is found, only a Registered Building Engineer or Practitioner is qualified to get you out of the contract of sale. If we find something serious, we’ll break it down for you in plain English. We will work with you for as long as it takes, to ensure that you are confident with the next steps.
How long does the assessment take and when do I get the report?
We’re typically on-site for 2-3 hours, depending on property size. You’ll receive a full written report with findings, photos, and recommendations within 1-2 days. Faster turnaround time can be arranged if needed.
How is your assessment different from a typical inspection?
Our background is in forensic engineering, structural design and consulting. Unlike building inspectors, we can diagnose the root cause of issues and give you a plan for the future. You’re not just getting an opinion; you’re getting an expert evaluation from chartered professional engineers.
What kinds of properties do you inspect?
We specialise in established residential homes. No apartments or high-rises. We service Melbourne suburbs from Greensborough and Eltham through Heidelberg, Kew, Balwyn, Box Hill and Doncaster, across to Ringwood, Croydon and Glen Waverley, and down to Brighton and Cheltenham. We also service Geelong, Bayside and Mornington Peninsula.
Do you offer advice after the inspection?
Absolutely. We don’t leave you with just a report, we include a 1-on-1 phone debrief to answer your questions and guide your next steps. We are committed to helping you get into your new home, and even check in after you have settled in.
What if I have more questions?
Feel free to book a call with Chris. You can also contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0402 885 855 for questions, quotes or advice.
Book a Free Consultation
Submit the form below to speak with a Building Engineer. Chris will respond same business day.
We never share your details with third parties.
Meet The Founder
Chris Dafter (Founder, Homebuyers Toolkit)
Chartered Engineer (MIEAust, CPEng, NER)
Registered Building Practitioner (RBP, RPEng)
For over a decade, I was a forensic, structural and civil engineer.
I inspected thousands of Melbourne homes under major insurance claims. And I saw the same gut-wrenching scene again and again. Families stressed out and facing massive repair bills (typically $40,000 to $150,000+)! Why? Because nearly every claim I investigated was rejected by the insurer as “pre-existing damage.” No cover and no help.
I was always called in too late. Most families in trouble, had done everything “right” and hired a standard pre-purchase building inspection.
But those fast, cheap checklist reports miss the critical issues. Like structural problems, foundation movement, or the things that cause the big expensive failures. I saw the unfair playing field clearly: insurers protect themselves by sending chartered engineers to fight claims, whilst homebuyers get sent in with a checklist. That never sat right with me.
So I walked away from the insurance work and built something different.
A comprehensive pre-purchase building service that puts homebuyers on the same footing as the insurers, before the contract is signed.
Our team are Chartered Professional Engineers and Registered Building Practitioners.
We work for homebuyers, not Real Estate Agents or Vendors. Our job is to give you the facts to avoid the lemon, negotiate with confidence and never end up in a "pre-existing, not covered" fight with your insurer. We tell you what’s really going on and what it will cost, then give you a clear plan for exactly what to do next.
Book a Free Consultation and speak with a Building Engineer to identify the key risks for your new home
Homebuyers Toolkit Works For Homebuyers
Not Real Estate Agents
We are Registered Building Practitioners and Chartered Professional Engineers who are specialists in Structural, Civil and Forensic Engineering.
This means that we can do everything that a Building Inspector and a Structural Engineer can do, and more! We’ve done thousands of residential home building inspections across Victoria, saving our clients from expensive future problems insurers won’t cover.
Our Engineering Portfolio
MIEAust CPEng NER RPEng RBP
Chartered Professional Engineer
National Engineers Register LinkRegistered Building Practitioner
Business Licensing Authority LinkProfessional Indemnity Insured
Australian Business Register LinkDirector Engineering Consultant
Chris' Professional History Linkedin
All our reports are strictly regulated by the Professional Engineers Registration Act and Building Regulations.
Book a Free Consultation and speak with a Building Engineer to identify the key risks for your new home
Morrison Crescent, Kilsyth VIC 3137
ABN: 11 663 961 788