The truth about pre-1985 Melbourne homes

Melbourne's older homes have wonderful bones, and a list of things we expect to find the moment we open a wall. Renovating a pre-1985 house well means allowing for the hidden conditions before they become emergencies.

Asbestos, assume it's there

In homes built before the late 1980s, asbestos-containing materials are common: eaves, fibro sheeting, old vinyl, textured ceilings, even behind tiles. It's safe undisturbed, but renovation disturbs it. The responsible approach is to assume it's present, test where needed, and budget for licensed removal rather than discovering it mid-demolition.

Termite and moisture damage

Bottom plates, subfloor timbers and wet-area framing are where we most often find damage in older homes, sometimes decades old, hidden behind plaster. We expect to inspect for it and allow for the possibility of repair, rather than pricing as if the frame is perfect.

On an older home, the question isn't whether we'll find something behind the walls, it's whether the builder allowed for it before we opened them.

Electrical and the switchboard

Pre-1985 wiring frequently doesn't meet current standards, no safety switches, undersized boards, old rubber or cloth-insulated cable. A renovation is the moment to bring the relevant parts up to standard, and a good scope says so up front.

Plumbing and drainage

Old galvanised supply pipe corrodes from the inside; old clay drainage cracks and lets in roots. Where a renovation touches these, we plan for replacement of the affected sections rather than hoping they'll last.

Why this matters for your budget

None of this is a reason not to renovate an older home, they're some of the best projects we do. It's a reason to choose a builder who has allowed for these conditions in the scope, so finding them is a planned step, not a budget shock.

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