Established 2004 · Inspecting Melbourne properties for over 20 years

Don’t just buy. Buy Wise.

Know exactly what you are buying, before you sign. Melbourne building and pest inspections since 2004, with more than two decades of experience and 55,000+ inspections completed.

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Melbourne family owned, not a franchise and not a call centre · Melbourne based office team with local staff answering your call · Registered Building Practitioners · Licensed Timber Pest Inspectors · Fully insured · Rated 4.9 out of 5

2004

Established

55,000+

Inspections completed

400+

Google reviews

20+

Years inspecting Melbourne

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Three reasons people call us

Buy Wise building inspector setting up a ladder at a Melbourne home

You are buying

A combined building and timber pest inspection on the property you are about to commit to, with pre-purchase reports typically delivered within 24 hours.

Pre-purchase inspections

Timber frame and foundation bracing checked during a new home stage inspection

You are building

Stage inspections from slab through to handover, so defects get fixed while your builder is still on site.

New home and stage inspections

Structural cracking in a brick chimney found in a roof cavity during a building inspection

Something is wrong

A targeted inspection of the defect or area you are worried about, with a written report you can act on.

Defect and special purpose

What we do

Building Inspection Services

Buy Wise inspectors checking an external wall during a Melbourne building inspection

Pre Purchase Building Inspections

Pre Purchase Building Inspection Reports ensure you’re buying wisely and with peace of mind for you or your loved ones.

Termite mud leads on subfloor timber found during a timber pest inspection

Termite Inspections

Experienced Termite Inspectors from Buy Wise help remove and protect against unwanted and uninvited termites in your home.

New Home Building Inspections

New home building inspection reports by licensed and registered experts assist you with detailed stage by stage inspections for your new home.

How it works

Four steps, start to report

Get your quote

Call the Melbourne office or send the form. We quote on the spot and offer our next available appointment.

We inspect

A registered building practitioner and licensed timber pest inspector attends. You are welcome to be there.

We call you

Our inspector rings you the same day to talk through what was found and what it means.

Your written report

A detailed written report with photographs. Pre-purchase reports are typically in your inbox within 24 hours of the on site appointment.

4.9 out of 5 from 400+ reviews

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT!

Excellent

Buy Wise Building and Pest Inspections4.9

Based on 427 reviews

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review us on

Trung Hoàng

3 weeks ago

A massive thank you to Phil and Celine for their support and expertise throughout my first home purchase journey —one of the most stressful experiences I’ve been through. Their inspections were incredibly thorough, identifying numerous defects that could have caused serious and costly problems if they had gone unnoticed. The reports were detailed, clear and easy to understand, so I knew the exact status of every issue and could confidently negotiate with the vendor. Before finding Buy Wise, I had obtained quotes from several other inspection companies and found their inspection reports were not as thorough by comparison. I highly recommend BuyWise to anyone buying a home.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. We know how stressful buying your first home can be, so it means a lot to hear that Phil’s inspections and our support helped you feel informed and confident throughout the process. It was an absolute pleasure helping you along the way, and we’re so glad the reports gave you the clarity you needed to negotiate with confidence. Congratulations on your first home, and thank you again for trusting Buy Wise to be part of such an important milestone! Kind regards, Phil, Celine and the Buy Wise inspections

Deyan Pejovic

4 weeks ago

Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star review Deyan! We really appreciate it. Kind regards, the Buy Wise team

Richard Robin

1 month ago

Phil and Lachlan were great. Prompt service and a comprehensive report. Would certainly use them again.

Response from the owner:Hi Richard, thank you for your time and the review. We’re so pleased you were happy with the service from Phil and Lachlan and found the report comprehensive and helpful. We really appreciate your support and would be more than happy to assist you again in the future!

Deb Ellis

2 months ago

I contacted Buy Wise Building and Pest Inspections on an extremely short time line and could not have dreamed of better service! Celine in the office took my call and was so friendly and accommodating even taking time to help with the filling in of an online form. She fitted my job in to the next available slot which luckily happened to be the very next day. My next good fortune was to experience the high level of professionalism from inspector Lachlan Barnes. If I thought his job onsite was careful and thorough that was nothing compared to the depth of detail of his written report. This was delivered within 24 hours and was comprehensive, easy to understand and contained countless photos. As if that wasn’t enough, Lachlan then took considerable time the next day to further unpack the report during a 20 minute phone conversation. Buy Wise and their staff know their stuff and prioritise customer needs . I can’t recommend them highly enough. Many thanks.

Melissa

2 months ago

I can’t recommend Philip highly enough. He has conducted a couple of building inspections for me, & his thoroughness & expertise have helped me make informed decisions about whether to proceed with or walk away from a property. What I appreciated most was how generous he was with his time. He took the time to talk me through his reports & answer all of my questions, no matter how small or silly I thought they might be. He has a lovely, reassuring manner & made what can be a very stressful process feel much easier! 🏡 I’m incredibly grateful for his knowledge, honesty and patience, & for giving me the confidence to make an informed decision when buying a home. Philip is wonderful at what he does, & I would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for a building & pest inspector.

Response from the owner:HI Melissa, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We’re so pleased to hear that Phil’s advice and thoroughness have helped you feel confident making some very important property decisions. Buying a home can certainly be stressful, so knowing that he was able to make the process a little easier means a lot to us. We really appreciate your kind words, your trust in Buy Wise, and your recommendation. Wishing you all the very best with your property journey! Kind regards, Celine, Phil and the rest of the Buy Wise team.

Robert Ellis

2 months ago

A prompt and efficient service. Timelines were tight and with an excellent and VERY detailed report from Lachlan it made our decision very easy and clear. Even a follow up phone call was clear and precise. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful revie. We’re so pleased Lachlan was able to assist within your tight timeframe and provide the detail and clarity you needed to make your decision. We really appreciate your recommendation and thank you for choosing Buy Wise Inspections. Kind regards, the Buy Wise team

Nicole

2 months ago

Phil was outstanding, pays attention to every detail, and is thorough. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the lovely review! We really appreciate your recommendation and are so pleased to hear you were happy with Phil’s thoroughness and attention to detail. Thanks again for choosing Buy Wise Inspections!

Charmaine Brown

2 months ago

I just wanted to thank Phil, Celine and inspector, Nathir for the assistance & expertise they provided me during my home build which was one of the most stressful times to go through. They picked up on so many things that would’ve caused me a multitude of problems had they not identified them. The follow-up & follow through was incredible from Phil; this company is so on the ball and the inspections were so thorough & their reports are just so amazing! They ensure everything was followed up. The reinspections were incredible as well; they insured everything was followed up and I knew exactly the state of every item & defect so my builder knew I had been well informed. It’s been proven since because I’m definitely not experiencing any of the issues that I hear a lot of people do post handover. My house is definitely built better because of this company. Initially I went through several other inspection companies (as I hadn’t at that stage found Buy Wise) for inspections that were poor & I only wish I’d found them earlier and I would only ever use or recommend this company in the future. Thanks for everything!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Charmaine, for taking the time to leave such an incredible review. It was an absolute pleasure being part of your building journey. We know how stressful the construction process can be, so it's fantastic to hear that the inspections, reports and follow-up gave you confidence throughout the build. The best outcome we can hope for is exactly what you've described: a better-built home and the peace of mind that potential issues were identified and addressed before handover. I'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Nathir and Celine. They'll really appreciate the recognition. Thank you again for trusting Buy Wise Inspections. We wish you many happy years in your new home, and if you ever need anything in the future, we're only a phone call away. Kind regards, Phil & the Buy Wise Inspections Team

Maddie Brygel

3 months ago

Lachlan was excellent and very thorough. We are so grateful for this service.

Response from the owner:Hi Maddie, we are glad to hear you found the inspector thorough and the service useful. We are grateful in return for the kind 5-star review! All the best. Kind regards, the Buy Wise team

Alfie Wisdom

3 months ago

Phil gave us great confidence with his experience and insights. I have recommended him to all our friends and family need B&P inspections in the Melbounre area.

Response from the owner:Hi Alfie, gosh we can't ask for more than that! We truly appreciate you recommending us to you nearest and dearest, that means a lot. All the best. Kind regards, the Buy Wise team

Real inspections

Real inspections. Real findings.

These are just some of the defects and issues we come across during building and pest inspections across Melbourne. Every photo below was taken by the Buy Wise team during an actual inspection. No stock photos.

Cracked brickwork showing signs of foundation movement found during a building inspection — External wallsCracked brickwork showing signs of foundation movement

Close-up of cracked brickwork indicating possible foundation movement and soil issues — Wet areasConcealed plumbing leak behind a laundry cabinet

About our inspections

Building & Pest Inspections in Melbourne You Can Trust

Why a pre-purchase inspection matters

Buying a home is one of the largest single outlays you will ever make, so a pre-purchase building and pest inspection is not just important, it is imperative. Whether you are bidding at auction, selling, or have signed a contract subject to a building and pest inspection, Buy Wise Inspection Services can help.

Registered builders and licensed timber pest inspectors

Every Buy Wise inspector is a Registered Building Practitioner and a licensed timber pest inspector, with a combined half-century of hands-on building and construction experience. Every report is carried out in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards, we carry public liability, and all our work is fully insured.

A detailed, easy to understand report

We complete around 3,000 building inspections a year across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, on both existing and new homes. Your report is detailed and photographed so problem areas are easy to identify, and for pre-purchase inspections it typically reaches you within 24 hours of the on-site appointment. We call you first to talk through what we found.

You are welcome to attend

Our inspectors are happy for you to be there. Let us know when you book and we will set aside extra time to walk you through the key areas and answer your questions. It is also worth asking us first, because our database may already hold a recent report on the property you are looking at.

Why Buy Wise

Why Melbourne has trusted Buy Wise since 2004

Buy Wise has been inspecting Melbourne properties since 2004. That is more than two decades of building and timber pest inspections, over 55,000 completed inspections and more than 400 Google reviews from real clients.

We are a Melbourne family owned and owner operated business with a local office team and our own inspectors. Not a franchise and not a national call centre.

Talk to our Melbourne office on 1800 289 947.

Book an inspection

Established in 2004

Inspecting Melbourne homes since 2004, well before most of today’s inspection companies existed.

More than two decades of experience

Over 20 years of building and timber pest inspections across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.

55,000+ inspections completed

Tens of thousands of Melbourne properties inspected, from period homes to brand new builds.

400+ Google reviews

Genuine reviews from Melbourne buyers, home owners and builders, rated 4.9 out of 5.

Melbourne family owned and owner operated

Run by Phil and Céline, who are involved in the business every day.

Local Melbourne office and inspection team

Local staff answer your call and local inspectors attend your property.

Registered Building Practitioners

Inspections carried out by registered building practitioners with hands-on building backgrounds.

Licensed Timber Pest Inspectors

Timber pest inspections carried out by licensed inspectors using specialist detection equipment.

Detailed, easy to understand reports

Clear written reports with photographs, so you can see exactly what was found and where.

Support after the inspection

Your inspector is available to talk you through the report and answer your questions once you have read it.

20% OFF WHEN YOU BOOK A COMBINED BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTION REPORT

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Listen to Our Featured Podcast

Stay informed with expert insights on property investment, smart buying, and the latest market trends from the My Millennial Property show. Hit play to listen:

See the work first

GET A SAMPLE REPORT TODAY

Every report is written on site and typically delivered within 24 hours for pre-purchase inspections, backed by well over one hundred clear and specific photographs.

Click here to view some sample reports. Get our pre-handover inspection checklist:

Send me a sample report

Straight to your inbox.

Where we work

SUBURBS NEAR US

While we cater Melbourne wide with no premium fee, below are some local areas.