Check what was inspected.
Look at the agreed buildings, areas and access. An inaccessible area is a limitation to understand, rather than an assurance about its condition.
A useful report.
A clearer next step.
Read the scope and limitations alongside the findings. Ask your inspector to explain anything that affects your property decision.
Connect findings with evidence.
Read the observation with its location, photographs and explanation. A summary helps you navigate; read the related detail too.
Agree your next step.
Ask about urgency, further investigation and suitable specialists. Use contractor advice for repair methods and cost estimates.
Illustrative example only
What a helpful finding can explain.
This fictional example demonstrates the explanation structure. It is not an actual inspection report or an assessment of a real property.
Further assessment
Rainwater gutter joint
Observed: Staining was visible beneath a gutter joint.
Why it matters: The condition may relate to water escaping at the joint, but the cause was not established.
Next step: Ask an appropriate contractor to assess the joint and nearby drainage, then advise on any repairs.
Limitation: The example does not establish performance during rainfall or the condition of concealed areas.
Use the report for your decision.
Buying a property?
Follow up on important findings before your deadline. Discuss purchase conditions and decisions with your adviser; the report provides property information.
Selling a property?
Discuss significant findings and next steps. Confirm how the report may be shared and whether a prospective buyer needs separate reliance arrangements.
Planning maintenance?
Use the findings to identify upkeep and further assessment needs. Obtain appropriate contractor advice before setting repair costs or methods.
Receiving a specialist assessment or testing report?
Check the agreed method, assessed or sampled areas, results, limitations and recommended next steps. A specialist report may have a different format from a building inspection report.
See an archived report excerpt.
View two anonymised pages from a 2021 ABCHI NZ sample: a summary with rating definitions, and an example of access and foundation observations with photographs.
View archived report excerpt (PDF) ↗An archived format example, not a current property assessment. Report formats and scope vary. The original cover, client and property identifiers, and inspector identity have been omitted.
Understand your specialist report.
Healthy Homes assessment
Look for the assessed areas, supporting evidence, limitations and action items.
Explore assessment report contents →Methamphetamine testing
Read the collection record and method alongside the results, interpretation and next steps.
Explore testing report contents →