What We Do

We provide specialist building diagnostics and detailed scopes of work for:

• Water ingress & leak detection
• Moisture investigations
• Leaky home problem solving
• Flood & water damage assessments
• Insurance scope of works
• Pre-purchase issue investigations
• Complex building problem-solving

Our work is ideal when:

• You don’t know where water is coming from
• Previous repairs haven’t worked
• You need clarity before spending money
• You want a proper plan before starting work

Our Approach – Practical, Forensic-Style Investigation

We approach every job like a building investigation.

Not as surveyors or engineers — but as experienced Licensed Building Practitioners who have physically pulled buildings apart, seen failures first-hand, and understand how things actually go wrong.

We:

• Trace water paths and entry points
• Test moisture levels
• Use thermal imaging where required
• Open up areas (where needed) to confirm causes
• Assess construction methods and failures
• Identify risks like mould, decay, and structural damage

Then we put it all together into a clear, structured report.

Our Process

Site Visit & Initial Assessment
We attend site and go through all known issues with you.

Investigation & Testing
We carry out:

• Moisture readings
• Thermal imaging (if required)
• Water ingress tracking
• Physical inspection and, where necessary, invasive checks

Detailed Investigation Report
We compile a structured report including:

• Findings and root causes
• Photos and supporting evidence
• A clear explanation of what’s happening
• Risks and potential consequences
• 
  

Scope of Work / Repair Strategy
We develop a clear plan outlining:

• What needs to be done
• The correct repair method
• Materials and approach
• 
  

Next Steps & Specialist Input (If Required)
If your project requires additional input, we can:

• Work alongside surveyors, engineers, or architects
• Point you in the right direction
• Help coordinate the next stage



No matter how complex the issue is — we will either solve it or guide you to the right solution.

Why This Matters

Getting this stage wrong can cost tens of thousands in failed repairs.

Most issues we see come from:



• Guesswork
• Cover-ups instead of proper fixes
• Poor diagnosis
• Incomplete scopes

A proper investigation:

• Saves money long-term
• Prevents repeat failures
• Gives you confidence before committing to repairs
• Helps with insurance and decision-making 

Building Diagnostics & Water Ingress FAQs

How do you find a hidden water leak or the source of moisture? We trace the water back to where it's actually getting in, rather than guessing — moisture readings, thermal imaging where needed, tracking water paths and entry points, and opening up small areas to confirm the cause. You get a clear explanation of what's happening, not just a patch over the symptom.

Do I need to find an engineer or architect myself, or do you handle that? We handle it. Think of us a bit like going to your GP — you come to us with the problem, we investigate and work out what's actually wrong, and then we bring in the right specialist if one's needed. If the job calls for a structural engineer, an architect, or council involvement, we'll identify that, talk it through with you, and help get the right person moving in the right direction. We're upfront about the limits of our scope too: where something genuinely needs an engineer or architect rather than a Licensed Building Practitioner, we'll tell you, rather than pushing on with work that isn't ours to do. You get one point of contact who steers the whole thing, instead of trying to work out who to call next yourself.

How much does a building diagnostic or moisture investigation cost? It depends how involved the job is. An initial site investigation with a short written summary is $300–$500 + GST. A standard investigation report with thermal imaging and moisture mapping is $800–$2,500 + GST. A detailed report with a full scope of works is $1,500–$4,000 + GST, and complex, staged, or disputed matters run $4,000–$6,000+ GST. Most homes fall into the first two. If we carry out the repair, the full report cost is credited back against the job.

Can the investigation cost be credited towards the repair? Yes. If you go ahead with Aries Builders to carry out the repair, we can credit part or all of the investigation cost back into the job — so you're not paying twice. If you'd rather use another contractor, that's completely fine; the report stands as a paid professional service.

What's included in your diagnostic report? A structured report with our findings and the root cause, photos and supporting evidence, a clear explanation of what's happening, the risks and likely consequences, and a scope of works setting out what needs doing, the correct repair method, and the materials. In plain English, not jargon.

Do you provide reports for insurance claims? Yes. We've specialised in water damage and insurance repairs since 2014, and we produce clear, documented scopes of work that insurers and assessors can act on. A proper report helps your claim move and makes sure nothing gets missed.

How are you different from a building surveyor or engineer? We're not surveyors or engineers — we're Licensed Building Practitioners who've physically pulled failed buildings apart for over 30 years. We diagnose from hands-on experience, we can carry out the repair ourselves, and if your job needs a surveyor or engineer we'll bring one in. Practical answers, not just theory.

Can you do a pre-purchase water ingress or moisture check? Yes. If you're buying and you're worried about leaks or hidden moisture, we can investigate and give you clarity before you commit — so you know what you're buying and what it might cost to put right.

Previous repairs haven't fixed the problem — can you help? That's exactly the kind of job we're built for. When a repair hasn't worked, it usually means the real cause was never found. We investigate properly, find what was missed, and give you a plan that actually fixes it rather than papering over it again.

Do you just investigate, or can you carry out the repair too? Both. We diagnose the problem, and as Licensed Building Practitioners we can carry out the repair as well — so the same team that found the problem fixes it properly. We'll also work alongside surveyors, engineers or architects where a job needs them.

Why is a proper investigation worth it before starting repairs? Getting this stage wrong can cost tens of thousands in failed repairs. Most problems we see come from guesswork, cover-ups, and incomplete scopes. A proper investigation saves money long-term, prevents repeat failures, gives you confidence before you commit, and helps with insurance and decision-making. Get the right answer first.

Indicative Pricing

Most homes fall into the first two. Both are written to a standard insurers, architects, and other builders can work from.

Initial site investigation

$300–$500 + GST

A site visit and a short written summary with photographs and descriptions of what we found. Enough to tell you whether there is a real problem, and what it is likely to be.

Standard investigation report

$800–$2,500 + GST

A full written report with thermal imaging, moisture testing and mapping, annotated photographs, and our findings on where the water is actually getting in. Written so it can be handed straight to an insurer, an architect, or another builder. This is the one most people need.

Detailed diagnostic report with full scope

$1,500–$4,000 + GST

Everything above, plus a scope of works detailed enough to build from and price against.

Complex, staged, or disputed

$4,000–$6,000+ GST

Multiple site visits, coordination with other trades to isolate the cause, and documentation prepared to the standard required for disputes or formal claims.

If we carry out the repair, the full cost of the report is credited back against the job.

This applies to the first three tiers. Complex, staged, and dispute work is charged separately, as it is not always followed by a repair.

What a report is, and what it is not

An investigation report tells you what is wrong, what is causing it, and what needs to be done about it. It is not a fixed quote for the repair.

Water damage hides. Once cladding, linings, or flooring are opened up, the extent of the damage is often greater than what could be seen from the outside. Where that happens we stop, tell you what we have found, and agree the next step with you before carrying on. Additional work found this way is priced separately. We would rather have that conversation with you than guess at a number and be wrong.

About our reports

Our reports are not templates. Each one is the result of site time, moisture and thermal testing, conversations with other trades, and a written scope that takes several hours to prepare properly.

The report is prepared for you and for your property, for use with your insurer, architect, or engineer. It remains our work, and it is not to be used to have the work carried out by another contractor without our agreement.

Why Choose Aries Builders

• Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
• Over 30+ years of real-world building experience
• Specialist in water damage and insurance repairs since 2014
• Hands-on knowledge from pulling apart failed buildings
• Practical solutions — not theory
• Clear, detailed, easy-to-understand reports

We don’t just write reports.

We understand how buildings fail — and how to fix them properly.

Get the Right Answer First

If you’re dealing with:

• A leak you can’t find
• Ongoing moisture issues
• A failed repair
• Or a building problem that doesn’t make sense

Get in touch.

We’ll help you figure it out properly — from the start.