Nitpik.
01 — What we do
Nitpik is a cosmetic defect inspection service for homes across Melbourne — new builds, off-the-plan apartments, renovations, end-of-maintenance walk-throughs and pre-sale reports. We walk the property with a trained eye and hand you a clean, photographed list of every finishing defect worth fixing — paint runs, uneven caulking, wavy cornices, chipped skirtings, lippy tiles.
We don't check whether the property is structurally sound or code-compliant — that's your building surveyor's job. We're here for everything they don't cover: whether the finish you're paying for is the finish you're getting.
02 — Why Nitpik
Nitpik was founded by an architect and property developer who has designed, built and delivered homes across Melbourne — from first-home builds to high-end residences. Years managing trades on site means we know exactly where corners get cut, because we've caught them our whole careers. When we walk your home, you get the same eye that signs off multi-million-dollar builds, pointed at yours.
In your inbox before dinner.
Most inspectors take two to five days. Ours is photographed, tagged and delivered before dinner — builder-ready, organised room by room.
One free re-inspection after rectifications.
One re-inspection, same property, within 90 days of your original report — limited to the cosmetic items we originally logged. No extra charge. Almost no one offers this.
$450 inc. GST. Flat. On the website.
No “get a quote” runaround. One home, one price (GST included) — published up front.
02.5 — Enforceability
Every defect,
cited to the
Guide.
The Victorian Building Authority publishes the Guide to Standards and Tolerances — the reference builders are measured against under the domestic building contract. Every item on a Nitpik report is quoted directly against the relevant clause.
No vibes. No opinions. No back-and-forth. Your builder gets a numbered list they can't argue with, and you get a paper trail if it ever escalates to VCAT or DBDRV.
#047 · Bed 2 · East wall
Paint roller texture visible under raking light across ~800mm section.
Cited:
VBA Guide to Standards & Tolerances 2015 — Cl. 12.02 Surface finish of paintwork: “Paint finishes should not exhibit blemishes such as… roller marks… visible from a normal viewing position in normal lighting.”
Status: Defect · rectification required.
This is what every one of the ~80 items in your report looks like.
02.5 — The crew
Small team.
Sharp eyes.
A small crew with a shared obsession over the seams nobody else notices. We inspect across Melbourne, Victoria — new builds and apartments at practical completion.
03 — What we inspect
Five moments
worth nitpicking.
Every one of these is a fixed-fee, same-day-report job. The same eye, applied to the five points in a home's life where getting it right actually saves you money.
- PCIPractical completion / handoverThe big one. Before you take the keys, we walk the home with a level and raking light so the defect list is yours, not something the builder hopes you'll miss.
- OTPOff-the-plan settlementApartment buyers get one pre-settlement walkthrough and usually no idea what to flag. We come with you and turn it into a proper defect list before your final payment.
- EOMEnd of maintenance periodNew builds have a defect liability window of around three months after handover. Most owners forget it exists and lose their free-fix rights. We check the home before your warranty walkthrough.
- RENORenovation handoverThe same eye, applied to your reno or extension — before you pay the builder out, we make sure the finishes match what you paid for.
- VENDORPre-sale reportSelling? We walk the home and flag the cheap cosmetic fixes that lift your sale price. A developer's eye, on your side of the table.
04 — On the day
Every room. Raking light. A level.
We walk every room with raking light and a level, checking the details most people only notice once they've lived with them for a year. Every defect is photographed, numbered and grouped by room — a clean list you hand straight to your builder, each item described plainly enough that there's nothing to argue about.
- Interior paint & finishesRuns, bleeds, patch marks, roller texture.
- Caulking & sealantsEvery wet edge, cornice line, and skirting join.
- Cornices & shadowlinesAlignment, joins, chips, wave.
- Trims, skirtings & doorsChips, alignment, closer feel, hinges.
- Tiling & groutLippage, spacing, grout finish, silicone.
- Glazing & hardwareScratches, seals, handles, latches.
05 — Pricing
*Flat fee, GST included — any standard single dwelling or apartment across Melbourne.
Larger or double-storey homes, please get in touch for a quote.
- ✓Full walk-through, room by room
- ✓Photographed defect log, 100+ items typical
- ✓Same-day builder-ready PDF, organised room by room
- ✓One free re-inspection within 90 days, original cosmetic items only
- ✓Direct follow-up call to walk you through the list
06 — Credibility
Documented against the standard — not opinion.
Every Nitpik report cites Victoria's Guide to Standards and Tolerances, so each defect is measured against the published standard. That's the difference between a list your builder argues with and one they act on.
Bonus — Free download
The 42-point
self-inspection
checklist.
A pre-inspection list so you can walk the home before we arrive. Room by room, torch angles, caulking, paint, cornices, tiles. Free to download.
Free download · PDF · 2 pages
42 things to walk through before your builder walks off site — grouped by room, with the exact tolerances we look for.
Download the checklist →No email required. Cosmetic scope only — not a substitute for a full Nitpik inspection.
07 — Booking
Handover
coming up?
Lock in a slot below — we inspect Monday to Saturday, mostly mornings when the light is best for catching paint and finish defects.
Book an inspection
Scope & liability
What Nitpik is. And isn't.
In scope+
Visual cosmetic defects on finished surfaces — paint, plaster, tiling, caulking, cabinetry, doors, windows, trims and other visible finishes — assessed against the Victorian Building Authority Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015and current Australian Standards.
Not in scope+
Nitpik does not perform structural, building code, compliance, waterproofing, electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, energy, hazardous materials, pest or dilapidation inspections. We do not certify workmanship, sign off on rectifications on the builder's behalf, or provide legal, engineering or regulatory advice. Concealed elements, roof cavities, sub-floors and anything requiring destructive testing are excluded.
Liability+
Reports are prepared for the named client only, based on what was reasonably visible on the day of inspection under available lighting and access. Nitpik carries Professional Indemnity insurance covering the cosmetic scope above. To the extent permitted by law, liability is limited to the fee paid for the inspection. Reliance by any third party is at their own risk.
Full terms of engagement: nitpik.com.au/terms.