What to Expect During a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection
Booking your first pre-purchase inspection? Here's what happens before, during, and after — so you know exactly what to expect.
Pre-purchase building inspections in Auckland
A pre-purchase building inspection is a check of a home's condition by a Licensed Building Practitioner before you commit to buying it, reported to the NZS 4306 standard. Ours start at $600 + GST for a 1 to 2 bedroom home, include moisture testing and a weathertightness assessment, and the report arrives within 48 hours, or in as little as 6.
Building report, builders report, house inspection: the same thing
Banks, agents and buyers use different names for it: a building report, a builders report, a house inspection, a pre-purchase inspection. They all mean an independent inspection of the property's condition before you buy. What matters is who does it and to what standard. Ours are carried out by Licensed Building Practitioners and reported to NZS 4306.
What a pre-purchase inspection covers
Every pre-purchase report covers twelve areas of the property: the roof structure and covering, weathertightness, moisture levels, subfloor and foundations, plumbing, electrical, structural components, exterior cladding, windows and doors, interior floors and walls, ceilings and insulation, and site drainage and access. All of it is reported to NZS 4306, the New Zealand standard for residential property inspection, so the report reads the same way your bank, insurer and lawyer expect.
Standard or Premium?
The Standard inspection is the full pre-purchase inspection and report, from $600 + GST. The Premium inspection adds a drone roof inspection and interior thermal imaging, from $800 + GST. Premium is worth it when the roof cannot be safely walked or seen from a ladder, or when you want to look for hidden moisture, missing insulation or electrical hotspots behind the linings.
When to book it
Book inside your building report condition or due diligence period, so you can still negotiate or walk away on what the report finds. If you are buying at auction, book before auction day: an auction sale is unconditional, so the inspection has to happen first. Our reports are written for homebuyers, not just building professionals, and you are welcome to attend and have the inspector walk you through the findings on site.
New builds need one too
A brand-new home is not automatically a defect-free one. On one new Auckland townhouse we found head flashing, roof gutter, retaining wall drainage and surface water defects before settlement, which is the cheapest moment to have them fixed. If you are buying new or off the plans, see our pre-settlement and new build inspections.
Will my bank and insurer accept the report?
Yes. Our reports conform to NZS 4306 and are written to meet lender and insurer requirements. If your bank or insurer does not accept the report, we refund your money.
Fixed pricing
Pre-Purchase Inspection pricing
All prices exclude GST. All reports meet NZS 4306 and include weather tightness assessment and moisture testing.
Standard Property Inspection & Report
A full pre-purchase or pre-sale building inspection covering all accessible areas.
1–2 Bedroom
$600
plus GST
3–4 Bedroom
$650
plus GST
5–6 Bedroom
$750
plus GST
6+ Bed / Architectural
$1,200
plus GST
Report Delivery
Choose your delivery speed
Standard delivery is within 48 hours at no extra charge. Need it sooner? Choose an express option when you book.
48 hr
Included
24 hr
+$99 + GST
12 hr
+$199 + GST
6 hr
+$299 + GST
Common Questions
Pre-Purchase Inspection questions
How much does a pre-purchase building inspection cost in Auckland?
Our Standard pre-purchase inspection is $600 + GST for a 1 to 2 bedroom home, rising with size up to $1,200 + GST for 6+ bedroom or architectural homes. Premium, which adds a drone roof inspection and thermal imaging, starts at $800 + GST. Prices are fixed and published.
How fast will I get the report?
Standard delivery is within 48 hours of the inspection at no extra cost. If you are up against a deadline, faster delivery is available: 24 hours, 12 hours or 6 hours, each for a published surcharge that you choose when you book.
Do I need to arrange access to the property?
No. Give us the listing agent's name and number when you book and we contact them directly to arrange access. You do not need to coordinate anything, and you are welcome to attend if you want the inspector to walk you through what they find.
Is a meth test included in a pre-purchase inspection?
No. Methamphetamine testing is a separate report, because it needs sampling rather than a visual inspection. You can add it to your pre-purchase inspection for $300 + GST when you book, and both reports are delivered together.
Do I still need a building report if I have the LIM?
Yes. A LIM tells you what the council holds on record, such as consents, zoning and known hazards. It does not tell you the current condition of the building. A building report finds what the LIM cannot, like moisture, roof wear or unconsented work, so most buyers get both.
Further reading
Guides for this inspection
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Ready to book?
Fixed pricing, Licensed Building Practitioners, and we arrange access with the agent for you.