What we look for in Williamstown
Housing: Victorian bluestone and brick cottages, weatherboards on stumps, large Edwardian homes near the foreshore, and newer waterfront apartments and townhouses on former industrial and defence land.
Williamstown has some of the oldest houses in the west, including Victorian bluestone and brick cottages, weatherboards on stumps and grand Edwardian homes near the foreshore, alongside newer waterfront apartments and townhouses. Salt air and sandy soil near the beach slow termites a little, but the inland streets sit on clay and have old gardens with mature trees. On the heritage homes the inspector looks at the original hardwood floor frames, damp stone footings, sub-floor ventilation that has been blocked by later verandahs and the timber inserted during past repairs. Cellars and low subfloors near the foreshore often show rising damp, and damp timber is the first thing a colony finds. Many properties have had rear extensions, decks and garden studios added, often with timber posts in the ground or bearers resting on sleepers. Around the Botanic Gardens and Nelson Place, street trees are old and large. Owners should keep the base of stone and brick walls dry and clear, and have any built-in verandah checked.
We regularly inspect properties around Williamstown foreshore, Williamstown Beach, Williamstown Botanic Gardens and Nelson Place.