Waterproofing & Fixing Stage Inspection Melbourne
Catch Leaks and Finish Problems Before Tiling and Painting
Water leaks from showers and wet areas are one of the most common and costly defects in new Victorian homes. Once the tiles are laid, a faulty waterproofing membrane is impossible to see and expensive to fix.
A BuildInspect Melbourne waterproofing and fixing stage inspection is carried out after the plasterboard and internal fixings are installed and the wet area membranes are applied, before tiling and painting. Our inspector checks the waterproofing against AS 3740 (waterproofing of domestic wet areas) and reviews plasterboard, doors, architraves, skirtings, stairs and cabinetry. You get a photo report before you pay the fixing stage progress claim.
What Our Fixing Stage Inspection Covers
Wet area waterproofing and internal fit-out, checked before they’re tiled and painted.
- What We Check
Inspected against your plans, the NCC and AS 3740.
- Wet area waterproofing membrane coverage and upturns
- Membrane at shower hobs, floor wastes and penetrations
- Bond breakers and flashing angles at wall/floor junctions
- Balcony and external waterproofing where applicable
- Plasterboard installation, joints and sheet fixings
- Cornices, internal and external corners
- Internal doors, frames, architraves and skirting boards
- Staircase construction, balustrades and handrails
- Kitchen, vanity, laundry cabinetry and robe installation
- External brickwork and cladding if completed
- When to Book
Book after fix-out but before tiling and painting start.
- After wet area waterproofing membranes are applied and cured
- After plasterboard, doors, architraves and skirtings are fixed
- Before wall and floor tiling begins
- Before you pay the builder's fixing stage progress claim
- Common Fixing Stage Defects We Find
Defects that lead to leaks and poor finishes if not caught now.
- Waterproofing membrane too thin, missing upturns or not lapped into floor wastes
- No bond breaker at shower wall/floor junctions
- Plasterboard joints and screw fixings poorly finished
- Gaps between architraves, skirtings and walls
- Doors binding or not hung square
- Cabinetry out of level or damaged
- Your Inspection Report
Clear, easy to read and delivered fast.
- Detailed report with photos of every issue found
- Each defect referenced to the relevant standard or plan
- Plain-English explanation of what needs fixing
- Report usually delivered within 4 hours of the inspection
- Easy to forward straight to your builder
- Free lifetime phone support to talk through the findings
- Pricing
Clear, fixed pricing. All prices include GST.
- Single storey home: from $330 per stage
- Double storey home: from $350 per stage
- 5-stage package (pre-slab to handover): from $2,000 single storey / $2,200 double storey
- Free lifetime phone support with every inspection
- Other Stage Inspections
Book individual stages or save with our 5-stage package.
Why a Waterproofing & Fixing Inspection Matters
Wet area leaks are one of the most common new home defects.
Waterproofing can’t be checked once tiles are laid.
Catches poor plasterboard finishes before paint highlights them.
Checks joinery and cabinetry before final finishes.
Gives you leverage before you pay the fixing stage progress claim.
Reduces the number of defects left for handover.
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We Cover All of Melbourne
All Melbourne, Covered
We cover the entire metropolitan Melbourne area.
Key suburbs we service in this area:
- Inner Melbourne
- Inner North
- Inner East
- Eastern Melbourne
- South East Melbourne
- Bayside Melbourne
- Western Melbourne
- Caroline Springs Region
- Northern Melbourne
- Outer Northern Growth Corridor
Waterproofing & Fixing Stage Inspection FAQs
Why is waterproofing inspected separately?
Waterproofing membranes are completely hidden once tiles are laid. If the membrane is missing at a corner, floor waste or hob, water can leak into the frame and slab for years before it’s noticed. Inspecting before tiling is the only way to check it visually.
What standard applies to wet area waterproofing?
Wet area waterproofing in homes must comply with the National Construction Code and AS 3740, Waterproofing of domestic wet areas.
What is the fixing stage?
The fixing stage is when internal linings, doors, architraves, skirtings, stairs and cabinetry are installed. In most Victorian building contracts it’s a progress payment stage before completion.
Do you do a flood test?
We complete a flood test of the shower area at the practical completion (PCI) inspection once the shower is finished. At fixing stage we visually inspect the membrane itself before it’s covered.
Is BuildInspect Melbourne insured?
Yes, it holds both professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.
How much does a fixing stage inspection cost?
Waterproofing and fixing stage inspections start from $330 for a single storey home and $350 for a double storey home, including GST. It is also included in our 5-stage package from $2,000.
What qualifications do your inspectors have?
All of our building inspectors are Registered Building Practitioners, licensed carpenters, building surveyors and qualified timber pest inspectors in Victoria, with over 30 years experience in residential and commercial construction. They are trained in Tramex moisture detection and thermal imaging equipment.
Book an Inspection
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At BuildInspect Melbourne, we pride ourselves on delivering honest advice, detailed reporting, and reliable service you can trust.
Contact us today to arrange your pre-purchase building and pest inspection and ensure you know exactly what you’re buying before you commit.