Building Report NZ
Comprehensive Building Reports for Informed Property Decisions
A building report is a written record of what is actually wrong with a property, produced before you commit to buying it. Ours identifies structural defects, weathertightness problems, and maintenance concerns across every accessible part of the building; records the condition of each area inspected; and photographs every issue found, with arrows marking what is being pointed at. You finish reading it knowing what you are buying, not what the listing said you were buying.
The inspector who attended the property writes it - a trade-qualified professional who has worked on New Zealand buildings. That matters because the report has to do more than list what is visible. It has to tell you which findings are serious and which are minor, what each is likely to cost to fix, and what to investigate before you sign. Findings come with plain-English recommendations for remedial work or specialist follow-up, so you can act on them instead of interpreting them.
We deliver the report within 24 to 48 hours; it's bank-approved and covered by professional indemnity insurance. Written reports start from $499 + GST. If you are working to an auction deadline, we can provide a verbal report the same day from $299 + GST. To understand the document before it arrives, our guide to reading a builders report explains the terminology and what the moisture readings mean.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
+
+
6 Reasons Why You Need a Building Report
What's Included in Our Building Report?
Every report follows the same structure, so you always know where to find what you need. It starts with the client and inspection details — date, time, weather, whether the house was occupied, and the scope of the inspection. Then it describes the property and its characteristics: building type, number of levels, cladding and roof materials, and site exposure and contour. The findings follow, grouped by area — subfloor, exterior and cladding, penetrations and watertightness risk areas, roofing and roof space, interior, service areas and services. A checklist and a signed certificate of inspection close the report.
The items requiring attention are listed together at the front in the executive summary, so you are not hunting through sixty-odd pages to find out what matters. Where a finding needs someone with a different specialisation — an electrician on a house of a certain age, a plumber on drainage, a structural engineer on movement — the report says so and names what should be done. That is not a vague suggestion, and it is not us hedging: a visual inspection cannot see behind a wall, and the report tells you plainly where that limit has been reached. Our guide to reading a builders report explains the terminology, and LIM reports vs building reports covers which documents you need alongside it.
-
Roof covering, guttering, and drainage systems
-
Exterior cladding, weatherboards, and joinery
-
Subfloor, foundations, and floor levels (spot checked)
-
Interior condition including walls, ceilings, floors, and built-in joinery
-
Roof cavity and attic space (where accessible)
-
Plumbing and drainage (visual assessment)
-
Electrical systems (visual assessment)
-
Insulation presence (where visible)
-
Non-invasive moisture testing
-
Signs of structural movement or settlement
-
Decks, balconies, and outdoor structures
-
Site drainage and retaining walls
-
Fencing, driveways, and paths
-
Garages and outbuildings
Important: a building report is based on a visual inspection of accessible areas. We do not remove fixtures, lift floor coverings, cut into linings, or open walls. Where the visible evidence warrants it, the report will recommend specific follow-up testing and name who should carry it out - that may be moisture testing or a separate electrical, plumbing, or structural engineering assessment. A report that tells you the limits of a visual inspection, and who to ask next, is more useful to you than one that pretends there are none.
Building Reports Across New Zealand
Alert Building Inspections provides building reports throughout New Zealand, including Auckland, North Shore, West Auckland, East Auckland (Howick and Pakuranga), Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin, Whangarei, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay and Palmerston North. We list every area we work in on our locations page. A trade-qualified inspector attends in person, and we email your report within 24-48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Reports
What is a building report?
A building report is a written, independent assessment of a property's physical condition, produced by a building inspector after visiting the property. It records what was found, where it was found, the condition of each area, and what should be done about it. It is not a valuation, and it is not a council compliance document — those are separate things.
What does a building report include?
Client and inspection details, a description of the property, findings grouped by area, a photograph of every issue identified with arrows marking what is being pointed at, the condition of each area inspected, a checklist, and a signed certificate of inspection. The report summarises items requiring attention at the front so you can see them without reading the whole report.
How long does a building report take to arrive?
Within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection. The visit itself takes one to two hours for a typical home, longer for a large or multi-level property. If you are working to an auction deadline, we can provide a verbal report the same day — but if you need the document for a bank or a solicitor, plan for the written one.
Will my bank or insurer accept the report?
Yes. Our reports are bank-approved and covered by professional indemnity insurance, and they can go straight to your lender without being reformatted. If your bank has asked for something specific, tell us when you book, and we will make sure you receive it.
Can I use a building report to negotiate the price?
Yes, and that is often where the report pays for itself. Findings give you something concrete to work with: you can ask for a price reduction, require the work to be completed before settlement, or withdraw if the defects are serious enough. See our pre-purchase building inspection page for how that works at each stage of a purchase.
Is a verbal report enough, or do I need the written one?
It depends on what you need it for. A verbal report is faster and cheaper, and it is a reasonable choice when an auction has been brought forward and you simply need to know whether the house is sound. If you need documentation — for a lender, an insurer, a lawyer, or a future dispute — you need the written report. We will tell you which suits your situation rather than upselling you.
Can I get a building report before auction day?
Yes, and you must plan for it, because an auction purchase is unconditional the moment the hammer falls. There is no finance clause, no due diligence period and no cooling-off. Contact us as soon as the auction date is set, and if time is genuinely tight, we can provide a verbal report from $299 + GST the same day. See what drives the cost.
What is not covered by a building report?
Anything you can't see without opening the building up — behind linings, under floor coverings, inside sealed cavities. The report will state plainly where access was not possible or where an area could not be viewed, rather than leave you to assume it was checked. A building report is also not a valuation, not a guarantee, and not a council compliance certificate. If you are building rather than buying, our new construction inspections page covers the checks that apply instead.
How much does a building report cost?
Written reports start at $499 plus GST, and verbal reports at $299 plus GST. The figure is based on the property—its size, age, construction, and location—rather than what we find when we get there, and we confirm your quote before the inspection. Our services page has the full price list.
