A Proper Builder's Report Can Save You From Hidden Leaks And Costly Repairs

You can fall in love with a house in five minutes, then spend five years paying for what you didn’t see. That’s why we brought in Evan Cardwell from Checkhome Building Inspections to talk straight about builders' reports, building inspections, and what “due diligence” actually looks like when you’re buying in New Zealand. Evan walks us through the reality of a comprehensive written report: getting under floors, into roof spaces, checking the site, running moisture testing, and using tools like drones and thermal cameras when access is tricky. We get specific about the issues that show up again and again in pre-purchase building reports, especially roofing. Think cracked tiles, surface rust, and the hidden gutter designs that looked sleek in the 90s but can be a maintenance nightmare today. Then we tackle the myth that a new build doesn’t need an inspection. Evan shares what he’s seeing on the ground: moisture trapped in walls, details like missing eaves increasing risk, and big townhouse developments where workmanship swings wildly from one block to the next. We also dig into the limits and responsibilities of a visual inspection, why access matters, and how hidden products can slip through. The Dux Quest plumbing story is a must-hear if you’re buying an older home, and we talk subfloor surprises like borer-damaged timber and structural elements that aren’t doing their job. Zooming out, we touch on LIM reports, flood zone mapping, and why insurance companies are asking for more inspections as premiums rise. If you’re buying, selling, or planning renovations, you’ll come away with clearer questions to ask and a better sense of where the real risks live. Subscribe, share this with a mate who’s house hunting, and leave a review, what’s one thing you’d want checked before you sign a sale and purchase agreement?Website - https://www.checkhome.co.nz/locations/kapiti-building-inspection/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23682922764&gbraid=0AAAABDM5XIghQw11cLiXsGtgvN_wG-3R_&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_vnQBhCxARIsADcZyxKQRzxnEjRIGK9G8xcCgRESs0cx3ux-g0loOPdbHNHRm5Jrie6_fmkaApC7EALw_wcBSend us Fan Mail Support the showBuy your first home in NZ Weekly Webinars You thought it's not possible or the dream is too far away? Come to my webinar and I will show you, you are much closer to your dream, than you think you are!Join Here - https://bit.ly/4m9SL72