💧 NOT EVERY LEAK LEAVES A VISIBLE STAIN These thermal images are from inspections I carried out last week — and they’re a good example of why we use thermal imaging as part of our inspection process. In some areas there were visible stains or other clues that moisture may be getting in. In others, there was nothing obvious to see with the naked eye. The thermal camera identified abnormal cold patterns within the walls and ceilings, allowing me to target those areas for furth

🏚️ OVER 100 YEARS OLD… AND WHAT’S HOLDING THE HOUSE UP? Older homes can have plenty of character — but underneath them can be a very different story. During a recent inspection of a home more than 100 years old, we entered the subfloor and found sections where the timber bearers appeared to be supported directly on dirt, rocks and makeshift masonry — with no conventional piles visible in these areas. That’s something you definitely want to know about before you buy. 🔎 Why i

⚠️ INTERNAL GUTTERS — WHAT’S HIDING UNDER THE PAINT? Internal gutters are one of the areas we pay particular attention to during a building inspection. Unlike an external gutter, an internal gutter sits within the building envelope. If it deteriorates, blocks or leaks, water can potentially enter the roof cavity or wall structure rather than simply spilling outside. These photos are a good example of what to look for. 🔎 Warning signs include: • Rust or corrosion inside the g

Not every inspector is keen to crawl a 400sqm subfloor… but that’s where the real issues hide. This property had a large, tight subfloor space — the kind many inspectors would be tempted to avoid or only partially check. At Book a Builder, we do things differently. 🛠️ Overalls on 🔦 Lights on 👷‍♂️ Builder’s eye engaged Because what’s under the house matters just as much as what you can see above it. As a qualified builder and BOINZ-accredited building surveyor, I know exact

🪟 When “new build” doesn’t mean “no problems” 😅 You’d think a brand-new house would be flawless… but today I inspected a new build and found a non-opening window installed upside down 🙃 Yes — the drainage slots are now at the top! Not ideal when it rains… unless the plan was to water the insulation 💦 Just another reminder why even new homes need a proper inspection — building mistakes happen more often than you’d think. If you’re buying new (or near-new), get it checked p

🔍 You’d Never Notice It… But We Did! 💧 On a recent pre-purchase inspection in Auckland, we found a tap leaking from the waste —a...