Are you planning to get a pre-purchase inspection or need a building report? Choosing a building inspector is important. However, as with choosing any tradesman or service provider, you need to be careful that you are getting a professional who will do a thorough job.
While there are standards for building inspections in New Zealand, compliance is not currently compulsory. Anyone can set themselves up as a building inspector. There are a number of national organisations to which building inspectors can belong. Membership is not compulsory so not every building inspector may choose to join. Therefore it is important to choose your company wisely.
When you are choosing a building inspector:
- Get quotes from a number of companies and compare what they will do as well as the price.
- Ask what the background of the inspector is – for example, do they have extensive experience in the construction industry
- Do check if the inspector has any qualifications such as being a Licensed Building Practitioner.
- Think about choosing a registered inspector. Registered inspectors are more likely to be experienced and uphold the correct standards.
- Ask friends or family for recommendations. Your local real estate agent may also know of a reputable company.
- Ask for testimonials from previous customers.
- Ask the company how they will inspect your property and what are they will cover. Will they look just at the house or at the surrounding exterior area as well?
- Ask what will appear in the report, will it include images, when you will get it and what format it will be in.
If you are unhappy with the way your inspection is being carried out, don’t be afraid to question the inspector. Do query anything in the report that you are not sure about.