Lock-Up Stage (Pre-Plaster) Inspection Melbourne

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Professional Lock-Up Inspections for Melbourne New Builds and Renovations

The lock-up stage is a big step in any Melbourne building project. Doors, windows, roof, and external cladding are on — the house is officially “locked up.” But now is when water leaks, poor installation, and major weatherproofing issues can slip through.
Buy Wise offers detailed lock-up stage (pre-plaster) inspections across Melbourne, so you can be sure your build is secure, sealed, and built right from the outside in.

What Is the Lock-Up Stage?

At lock-up, all major external elements are in place:

External walls and cladding

Roof structure and coverings

Windows and external doors

Garage doors (if applicable)

This means your home can be physically “locked up,” and the weather can no longer get inside. But don’t relax just yet — this is the critical point to catch any external or weatherproofing problems, before insulation and plasterboard go in and hide them for good.

Why a Lock-Up Stage Inspection Matters

Rushed builds, trades working out of order, or missed details can lead to:

Leaking windows or doors

Missing flashings or gaps in cladding

Roof issues that let in water

Brickwork with gaps or poor expansion joints

Subfloor problems in homes with raised floors

These problems are often invisible after plastering — but can cause massive headaches (and huge costs) if not caught now.

A lock-up inspection gives you:

Early warning of defects before they’re hidden

Leverage to get them fixed before you make your next payment

Protection against moisture, mould, insulation problems, and future repairs

What We Inspect at Lock-Up Stage

Buy Wise’s inspectors do a complete check of all the critical lock-up details, including:

External wall cladding and waterproofing systems

Window and door installation and sealing

Roofing material, sarking, tiles or metal, flashings, and gutters

Garage door framing and weatherproofing (if applicable)

Brickwork: straightness, expansion joints, weep holes, and finish

Wall straightness and all external openings

Subfloor, underfloor areas, and drainage (if accessible)

General site water management and grading

Servicing all of Melbourne:

From Pakenham, Craigieburn, and Mickleham, to Donnybrook, Clyde, the Bayside, Mornington Peninsula, and inner suburbs.

The Buy Wise Inspection Process

How it works:

We coordinate with you or your builder to book the ideal inspection time (as soon as lock-up is reached)

Our inspector arrives on site, whether it’s a townhouse in Donnybrook or a family home in Bayside, and systematically checks all external details, photographing every concern

You’ll get a clear, photo-based defect report within 24 hours, outlining exactly what needs fixing

Our report can be shared with your builder and will help you ensure your next stage payment only happens once everything’s up to standard

If you can’t attend, that’s fine, we handle the inspection and can talk you through the report over the phone.

Why Choose Buy Wise for Your Melbourne Lock-Up Inspection?

Truly independent inspectors with years of local experience

Family-run Melbourne business — thousands of happy clients

Fast, honest service and easy-to-read reports

We work for you, not the builder

Clear advice and support, even after inspection

CLIENTS FEEDBACK

Our builder said everything was fine, but Buy Wise found missing flashings on the roof and a leak around our living room window. They got it fixed before plasterboard went up.

— Alison, Mickleham

Pricing – How Much Does a Lock-Up Stage Inspection Cost?

Lock-up stage inspections in Melbourne start from $399 including GST.
For large, complex, or multi-storey builds, we’ll quote upfront so there are no surprises.
Discounts are available when you book multiple stage inspections — frame, lock-up, fixing, and PCI.

Common Issues We Find at Lock-Up Stage

With so many Melbourne builders rushing to keep up with demand, we regularly see:

Poorly sealed windows and doors (leads to leaks, drafts, and future rot)

Missing or improperly installed roof flashings

Brickwork gaps, missing expansion joints, or out-of-level walls

Incomplete or damaged cladding and waterproofing

Garage doors without proper weather seals

Bad site drainage — setting up future water problems under the house

Catching these at lock-up means they’re fixed before they become expensive disasters.

Case Study: Preventing Future Leaks in Clyde

In 2024, we inspected a new build in Clyde where a missing window flashing would have caused water to enter the wall cavity. Our report meant the builder fixed the issue right away, preventing future mould and costly repairs.