What is a technical inspection?

When you want to buy a house, it may be wise to have a technical inspection carried out. Because as a buyer, you must investigate. It is your responsibility to investigate the condition of a house as much as possible. It is therefore important to engage a construction expert to help you inspect and test the condition of a property. With technical inspection, you will get insights into the defects and maintenance areas of the property. This is because the inspector has a lot of knowledge of specific construction periods and can properly assess the defects of a house. Most times hidden defects, due to overdue maintenance.

The technical report

A technical report shows you at a glance what the condition of the property is and what the possible costs could be for defects in the property. The report includes photos, explanations, opinions and costs. Often, the cost summary is broken down into:

Direct costs (0 to 1 year)

Direct costs show the cost of repairs that need to be carried out immediately. This is to prevent further damage to the property. So the direct costs ensure that the damage will be limited. However, this does not cost more, as this is just the standard costs that are always there when maintaining a house.

Term charges (0 to 5 years)

Term charges (in Dutch: Termijnkosten) show the cost of non-regular maintenance. However, this maintenance should be done within about 5 years. By doing this, you ensure that costs and damages are limited. Failure to do this can result in major damages.

Improvement costs

The improvement costs of a house consist of the costs resulting from changes you want to make to the house yourself. These are charges that are obviously within the rules, but not within those current standards. Again, these costs do not comprise the regular maintenance costs of a home but are for improving the home according to your wish.

Inspecting the property when buying

The purchase inspection is an inspection of the structural condition of a home. The structural inspector calculates the costs needed to rebuild the house to a good condition before the structural report is delivered. The findings and costs are in a clear overview. The purchase inspection is not a property valuation. An appraisal only establishes the market value.

Is a technical inspection mandatory?

No, a building inspection is not mandatory but it is strongly advisable. An architectural inspector prevents you from unexpectedly incurring high renovation costs after the purchase. Common defects such as mold and moisture can cause a lot of extra costs. A structural inspector recognizes the defects and indicates possible solutions and additional costs. An inspection report is also useful when negotiating the price of the house.

Benefits of a technical inspection

A technical inspection prevents you from unexpectedly high costs on a renovation after purchase. Common defects such as mold and moisture gaps can add up to a lot of extra costs. A building surveyor recognizes the defects and provides possible solutions and additional costs. An independent organization is very important. Even if the selling estate agent has already carried out an inspection, it is still advisable to have this checked yourself.

Technical Inspection Reports in English

When working with a technical inspector to inspect your new home, requesting the inspection report in English or other languages is possible. However, this report should be communicated using professional translation services. Most technical reports deliver their reports originally, which means you might need a clear and easily understandable translation to avoid extra costs. This proactive approach can ensure that you receive a clear and easily understandable translation.