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Buying a Home?
Pre-purchase Building Engineer Assessment

Major Defect Found?
Structural Engineer
Forensic Building Report
Chartered Professional Engineer
National Engineers Register Link
Registered Building Practitioner
Business Licensing Authority Link
Professional Indemnity Insured
Australian Business Register Link
Director Engineering Consultant
Chris Dafter Professional History Linkedin
For over a decade, we have been forensic, structural and civil engineers.
We've inspected thousands of Melbourne homes under major insurance claims. And 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 investigated was rejected by the insurer as “pre-existing damage.” No cover and no help.
We were 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. We 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.
So our we built something different.
A comprehensive building engineer service that puts homebuyers and owners on the same footing as the insurers.
Our team are Chartered Professional Engineers and Registered Building Practitioners who have inspected 5,000+ residential Melbourne homes.
We work for people, not corporations. Our job is to tell you what’s really going on and what it will cost, then give you a clear plan for exactly what to do next.
Our Building Engineer Report includes a full Building Inspection plus a lot more. You’re not paying extra; you’re just getting more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We never share your details with third parties.