137B Owner Builder Reports

Section 137B Owner Builder Reports Melbourne

Comprehensive 137B Owner Builder Defects Reports

If you’ve built or renovated your own property and plan to sell it within six years and six months, Victorian law requires you to provide a Section 137B Owner Builder Defects Report. At Elevate Building Inspections, we specialise in preparing accurate and compliant Section 137B Owner Builder reports in Melbourne, giving both you and potential buyers peace of mind.

Our licensed building inspectors provide clear, unbiased assessments of the condition of your property, ensuring you meet your legal obligations under the Building Act throughout Doncaster, Templestowe, Doreen, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Greensborough, Bundoora, Macleod, Montmorency, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Epping, Ivanhoe, Reservoir, Croydon, and surrounding suburbs.

Without a valid 137B report, your contract of sale may become unenforceable. In short: the 137B report protects you, the seller, and them, the buyer — it ensures transparency, reduces risk, and gives both parties confidence to move forward.

What Is a Section 137B Owner Builder Report?

A Section 137B Owner Builder Report is a legally mandated inspection report under the Building Act 1993 (Victoria). The report is specifically required when a property constructed or renovated by an owner-builder is sold within 6 years and 6 months of completion.

The primary purpose of the 137B report is to identify any defects in workmanship or materials, verify compliance with building regulations, and provide transparency to potential buyers. Without this report, your sales contract may be unenforceable, which can delay or even prevent the sale of your property.

In essence, the Section 137B report acts as a safeguard for both sellers and buyers, ensuring that:

Any defects in the building or renovation work are clearly documented.
Buyers are aware of potential issues before completing a purchase.
Sellers comply with Victorian building laws and avoid legal complications

Who Needs a Section 137B Report?

The Section 137B report is required if:

You are an owner-builder. This means you have been granted an owner-builder permit and personally supervised or managed the construction.
You are selling a property within 6 years and 6 months of completing the work.
The property includes residential dwellings that fall under Victorian building regulations.

Even if your work was completed to a high standard, Victorian law is strict about compliance. A 137B report is mandatory and non-negotiable for legal property sales in this timeframe.

What Our 137B Owner Builder Report Includes

Our detailed inspections cover all major building elements, including:

Structural Elements

We assess the core structural components of your build, including:

Foundations
Subfloor structures
Framing and load-bearing walls
Roof structure and roofing materials

Our focus is on identifying any potential defects, safety issues, or non-compliant workmanship that could compromise the stability of the building.

Internal Areas

Inside the home, we inspect:

Ceilings and wall linings
Flooring and skirting boards
Doors, windows, and internal fixtures

We look for defects such as cracks, poor finishing, uneven surfaces, or issues that may impact functionality or appearance.

External Areas

We check all external building elements to ensure they meet safety and performance standards, including:

Brickwork or cladding
External walls and finishes
Fencing, gates, driveways, paths, and landscaping

Our inspector notes areas where water ingress, deterioration, or non-compliant installations may cause future problems.

Plumbing & Drainage

We visually assess:

Plumbing fixtures and fittings
Drainage points
Water flow and any visible leaks or signs of moisture damage

Any signs of improper installation or non-compliance are documented.

Electrical (Visual Only)

While we do not test electrical circuits, we assess visible components such as:

Light fittings and switches
Power points
Safety and compliance issues related to placement or installation

Where necessary, we recommend engaging a licensed electrician for further investigation.

General Workmanship

We assess the overall quality of work to determine:

Whether finishes are completed to a professional standard
Whether materials have been installed correctly
Any defects that require rectification

Our report highlights anything that may impact resale value or raise concerns for potential buyers.

Comprehensive 137B Defects Report

After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed Owner Builder Defects Report that includes:

Clear identification of defects
Photographs of each issue
Practical recommendations for fixing the defects
Easy-to-read formatting suitable for legal and real estate purposes

This report gives you the transparency required to comply with Victorian building regulations and gives buyers confidence in the quality of your work.

Why Choose Elevate Building Inspections?

Not all building inspectors are the same. When it comes to protecting one of your most important investments, you need a team you can trust.

Here’s why homeowners, buyers, and investors across Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs choose us:

Fully licensed and insured inspectors with local experience
Compliant with Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requirements
Independent, unbiased assessments — we work for you, not the seller or agent.
Fast turnaround on reports, ensuring you don’t face unnecessary delays in decision-making
Practical recommendations, not just problems — we explain what issues mean and how they can be managed
Local knowledge, with extensive experience across Doncaster, Templestowe, Doreen, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Greensborough, Bundoora, Macleod, Montmorency, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, and surrounding suburbs.

We are committed to professionalism, transparency, and giving you the confidence you need to move forward. We also offer building inspections, dilapidation reports, comprehensive 137B owner builder defects reports, building and pest inspections, new home and handover inspections, asbestos surveys, timber pest inspections, pre-purchase building inspections and tax depreciation schedules.

Get Peace Of Mind Knowing Award Winning Building Professionals Are Carrying Out Your Inspections

Get In Touch For A section 137b owner builder report in Melbourne

Section 137B Owner Builder Reports in Melbourne - Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers about Section 137B Owner Builder Report

When is a 137B report required?

If you are selling a home built or renovated by you (as an owner-builder) within 6 years and 6 months of completion.

Can I sell my property without a 137B Owner Builder Report?

No. The report is mandatory under the Building Act. Without it, your sale contract may be invalid.

Who can complete a Section 137B Report?

Only a registered building inspector (not the owner-builder themselves) can prepare the report.

Are your building inspectors licensed and insured?

Yes. All our building and home inspectors are fully qualified, licensed, and covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance for your peace of mind.

Do you service my suburb?

We cover Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs including Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham, Diamond Creek, Bulleen, Greensborough, Bundoora, Macleod, Montmorency, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, and surrounding areas.

Does a 137B report cover all defects?

Yes, it lists both structural and non-structural defects. However, it is a visual inspection only – hidden issues may not be identified.

Satisfied Customers

"Ryan provided an excellent pre-property inspection service. He was very thorough and professional, arrived promptly, and is a great communicator. He made himself available to assist me every step of the way. I really appreciated his attention to detail and clear guidance. I would happily recommend his services to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy inspector."

"Marc was excellent from the moment the enquiry was made. He responded promptly and professionally and managed the process with the agent to make it stress free. The inspection was carried out in a very short timeframe and resulted in an amazingly comprehensive and thorough report within a few hours of the inspection. I would highly recommend"

"Ryan went above & beyond for my first time buying a house. The house inspection was well organised & frictionless, I didn’t have to organise anything & report was very professional. Helped me negotiate a slightly better price for my first buy, will be using him again soon. His building background & ballpark estimates were especially helpful outside of the report in gauging what the costs were gonna be for the existing issues at the property."

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www.elevatebuilding.com.au

Our team brings together expertise, industry knowledge, and a keen eye for detail in every inspection. With over 40 years of combined experience and a strong “client-first” approach, we deliver reports that are detailed, thorough, and built to be relied upon.

Melbourne, Vic

CDB-U 60327

MBAV 527519

DIP CPC 50210

DIP CPC 50308

CPPUP-M3008

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