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Seeing the unseen
How Thermal Imaging Helps Detect Hidden Moisture When you book a building inspection, most of the problems I look for are hidden behind walls, ceilings, and floors. You can’t always see early signs of dampness, leaks, or missing insulation with the naked eye. That’s why I use thermal imaging cameras as part of my inspection process. These tools don’t just take photos — they show heat patterns across a surface, helping me spot areas that may need further investigation. --- Wha

Alex Willis
Oct 17, 20252 min read
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Trotec moisture readings NZ
Understanding Trotec Moisture Meter Readings in Your Building Report When you open your property inspection report, you may notice photos of a handheld device pressed against walls with a digital number on the screen. This device is a Trotec non-invasive moisture meter, and those photos are included to give you confidence in what was tested and how the results looked on site. But what do those numbers actually mean? Let’s break it down. --- What the Trotec Moisture Meter Does

Alex Willis
Oct 17, 20252 min read
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Protimeter Readings
Understanding Your Protimeter SurveyMaster Readings When you get a building inspection, you’ll often see photos of a meter pressed against walls or floors with numbers flashing up on the screen. One of the more popular types is the Protimeter SurveyMaster, it helps us check for moisture levels without damaging the surface. ⚠️ Important: Every brand of moisture meter works a little differently. The numbers below apply only to the Protimeter SurveyMaster in non-invasive mode –

Alex Willis
Oct 17, 20252 min read
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The Complete Home-Buying Team:
The Complete Home-Buying Team: Finance, Legal, and Building Inspections Buying a home isn’t just about finding the right property — it’s about making sure every part of the process is handled properly. From securing finance, to checking the property’s condition, to making sure the contract protects you — you need the right experts by your side. That’s why I’ve teamed up with two professionals I trust: Luke Grbin – Mortgage Adviser , and Action Lawyers – Property Specialists .

Alex Willis
Oct 14, 20252 min read
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Buying from a flipper?
🔨 Things to Watch Out For When Buying a Flipped House 🔨 When I bought my place at the end of last year, I already knew it had a few...

Alex Willis
Oct 11, 20251 min read
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Pre offer checklist
✅ Thinking of making an offer on a house? Don’t go in blind – use my Free Pre-Offer Checklist to spot the common issues buyers can look...

Alex Willis
Oct 4, 20251 min read
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Don't skip inspections!
Why Even “New” Homes Need Pre‑Purchase Reports (Even If They Have a 10‑Year Guarantee) Buying a newer house (say under 10 years old) can...

Alex Willis
Sep 21, 20253 min read
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New build = No worries right?
🚨 Why You Should Always Get a Comprehensive Builders Report – Even on a Brand New Home At Book a Builder , we recently encountered a...

Alex Willis
Sep 18, 20255 min read
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How old is the cylinder?
🏡 Why You Should Check the Hot Water Cylinder’s Manufacture Date During an Open Home When you’re attending open homes, there’s often so...

Alex Willis
Sep 13, 20252 min read
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Borer damage
🛠️ Borer Damage Found Under a NZ Home – A Real-World Example Posted by Alex | Book a Builder NZ | www.bookabuilder.co.nz Date:...

Alex Willis
Sep 9, 20252 min read
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New House?
🚨 New house, rusty roof ! You’d be surprised how often I find rust damage on brand new homes – before anyone has even moved in. The...

Alex Willis
Aug 31, 20251 min read
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Meet Luke Grbin
When it comes to securing a home loan, navigating the world of lenders, interest rates, and paperwork can feel overwhelming. Whether...

Alex Willis
Aug 27, 20252 min read
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Why You Still Need a Pre-Purchase Building Report on a New Build
When buying a brand-new home, many people assume there’s no need for a building inspection. After all, it’s new — it should be perfect,...

Alex Willis
Aug 25, 20251 min read
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A Hot Water Upgrade with Shore Side Plumbing
This week I had the team from Shore Side Plumbing (North Auckland) over, and they did a fantastic job installing a new high-pressure hot...

Alex Willis
Aug 25, 20251 min read
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A Day Back on the Tools in Devonport
Most of my days are spent carrying out pre-purchase building inspections around the North Shore and outer Auckland areas, helping buyers...

Alex Willis
Aug 25, 20251 min read
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Hidden Plumbing Leaks: The Silent Home Destroyers
Even minor plumbing leaks—concealed behind walls or beneath flooring—can stealthily wreak havoc on your home. The longer they're ignored,...

Alex Willis
Aug 21, 20252 min read
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The Hidden Hazards of Venting Bathroom or Kitchen Fans into the Roof Space
In many homes, exhaust fans from bathrooms or kitchens are incorrectly vented into the attic rather than outside. This mistake may seem...

Alex Willis
Aug 21, 20252 min read
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When Cowboy Tradies Go Wrong!
What Happened to My Client — and How It Could Happen to You A client recently reached out after hiring what he thought was a capable...

Alex Willis
Aug 21, 20252 min read
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Introduction
🏡 Meet Alex Willis from Book‑A‑Builder Qualified Builder & Renovation Specialist Buying a home in Auckland? Don’t sign the dotted line...

Alex Willis
Aug 15, 20251 min read
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Dodgy handy man repairs discovered
When Joists Get “Hacked”—Structural Risks You Shouldn’t Ignore During numerous pre‑purchase house inspections across Auckland , I often...

Alex Willis
Aug 15, 20251 min read
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