The scope of the inspection is limited to visual inspection of the standard components of the home, which the inspector has reasonable access to and is the inspector’s clear line of sight. The purpose of the inspection is to identify major current deficiencies that are visually identifiable at the time of the inspection. The report shall include: grounds, structure, exterior, roofs, plumbing, electrical, interior, and insulation/ventilation; the procedure for their inspection will be conducted in accordance with NZS 4306:2005. New Zealand Standard, Residential Property Inspection.

We also offer an invasive inspection, using digital imaging to inspect spaces behind walls. We are the innovators and developers of this type of inspection. This was brought to the market by us to allow for more in-depth reporting.

If you have contracted us to prepare an invasive inspection report, this comprises a visual inspection (as set out above) together with cutting holes in the interior lining in specific areas, and using digital imaging to inspect the areas behind the internal linings. The invasive inspection is limited to the specific areas only that have been invasively accessed and visually documented and commented on in the body of the report.

The purpose of the inspection (including the invasive inspection) is to report on the condition of building elements. The report is not a guarantee, warranty or any form of insurance, and is not to be used as a substitute for a final walk-through inspection, or a comprehensive building survey. This report is not a technically exhaustive investigation nor is it practicable to identify and itemise every defect. The purpose of the report is to identify any readily visible items of concern at the time of the inspection. The report assumes that the property as built complies with the building code, and does not investigate or comment on that.

This report:

1. Does not assess or certify that the property or any element of it complies with the Building code (current or at the time the building was constructed).
2. Does not advise on, or cover, zoning ordinance violation, geological stability, soil conditions, structural stability, engineering analysis, termites or other infestations, asbestos, formaldehyde, water or air contaminants of any kind, toxic moulds, rotting (non-visual), electromagnetic radiation, environmental hazards.
3. Does not appraise or assess the property value, or the cost of any repair work,
4. Does not cover detached buildings, sheds, underground condition of pool and spa bodies and related piping, private water systems, septic systems, saunas, specialised electronic controls of any kind, elevators, dumb waiters, water softener and purification systems, solar systems, internal system components, security systems, system adequacy or efficiency, prediction of life expectancy of any items or system, minor and/or cosmetic problems, latent or concealed defects or any items marked as not inspected within the report.
5. Does not cover areas that are concealed, contained, inaccessible, or cannot be seen, due to walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, soils, vegetation, furniture, stored items, systems, appliances.
6. Does not detect or comment on the existence of formaldehyde, lead paint, asbestos, toxic or flammable materials, pest infestation and other health or environmental hazards;
7. Does not investigate any underground drainage or plumbing, playground equipment, the efficiency measurement or insulation or heating and cooling equipment, vehicles, or any other object, will not be inspected or included in the report.
8. Does not comment on Appliances and spa/pool equipment special cycles or features.

In accordance with NZS 4306:2005 this report provides some general information about weather-tightness risks in relation to the property inspected and where appropriate comments on specific high risk design aspects, issues, or defects that are readily visible and fall within the scope of inspection. Moisture scanning has been undertaken as part of this report and the report may pick up and comment on risk factors as part of a visual inspection, but this is indicative only and is not a reliable or determinative method of detecting moisture ingress.

This report cannot, and does not, provide advice or investigation about whether the property inspected is a leaky home, suffers from toxic mould, rot, or fungal growth, or complies with E2/AS1 of the Building Code. This report is not to be construed as advice about the overall weather-tightness of the property or whether the property is, or is likely to be, stigmatised as a leaky home. The nature of the leaky home problem in New Zealand means:

1. Systemic moisture ingress, or building defects making a building prone to leaking, which would stigmatise a building a a ‘leaky home’, in many cases can only be detected through a comprehensive building survey including destructive testing and external cladding removal. That is outside the scope of this inspection and report.
2. The presence of risk factors, or areas of elevated moisture readings, identified in this report, are intended to do no more than to alert the customer to issues that might need to be investigated further. They are not to be equated with advice that a property is or is not a leaky home.
3. The absence of visible risk factors or elevated moisture readings is not intended to (and cannot reliably be taken as) advice that the property is not a leaky home.

If the client is concerned about weather-tightness, and particularly if the property inspected has areas of monolithic cladding, the client should obtain a comprehensive weather-tightness investigation from a building surveyor.

Reasonable access is access that is safe, unobstructed and which has a minimum clearance of 450 x 400 mm opening access door that can be safely accessed from a 3.6 m ladder and a minimum crawl space of 610 x 610 mm in the ceiling space and 500 x 400 mm opening access door and a minimum crawl space of 500mm vertical clearance for the sub floor area. Roofs are able to be safely accessed from a 3.6 m ladder. (Or if the minimum clearance is not available, the area is within the inspector’s unobstructed line of vision).

Drone Inspection

Should THIS NZ (Total Home Inspection Services) be unable to physically access the roof, the inspector may employ a drone to perform a visual assessment of elevated areas. This inspection focuses on the roof's surface, aiming to spot any significant visible flaws and potential issues.

The client should recognise the inherent limitations of drone inspections, as the inspector does not physically traverse the roof. THIS NZ will review the images captured and offer recommendations for any necessary or advisable further actions. The client agrees and understands that some defects, which might be detected through direct roof access, may go unnoticed in drone inspections.

Details of any drone inspections will be included in the quotation provided to the client. THIS NZ will need authorisation from the property owner and any relevant parties of adjoining properties to conduct drone operations. Additional charges apply for drone inspections.

The vendor is required to inform the inspector of any existing issues that they are aware of that have been an issue in the past or may become an issue in the future or at the time of the inspection.

The vendor, property owner, and/or their authorised agents must disclose to THIS NZ (Total Home Inspection Services) all information known to them regarding the property, including but not limited to: renovations or alterations (consented or unconsented), repairs, historical issues, weathertightness concerns, structural matters, or any other condition that may reasonably affect the inspection findings.

THIS NZ relies on the accuracy and completeness of all information supplied by these parties. THIS NZ is not required to, and will not, independently verify the accuracy of any disclosures or statements provided.

Where relevant information is withheld, omitted, misrepresented, or unknown to the vendor or their agents, THIS NZ will not be liable for any loss, defect, damage, or claim arising from such non-disclosure or misinformation. THIS NZ cannot be held responsible for identifying issues that could not reasonably have been detected during a non-invasive inspection without accurate disclosure.

Nothing in this clause limits or excludes any rights or remedies available to the client under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. However, the client acknowledges that THIS NZ’s ability to perform the inspection with reasonable care and skill is dependent on truthful and complete disclosure from the vendor or their agents, and THIS NZ will not be liable for matters outside its reasonable ability to detect or assess.

The contents of the report, or any other work prepared by us is confidential and has been prepared solely for you and shall not be relied upon by any third parties. We accept no responsibility for anything done or not done by any third party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on any of the contents of the report.

Subject to any statutory provisions, if we become liable to you, for any reason, for any loss, damage, harm or injury in any way connected with the completion of the Inspection and/or report, our liability shall be limited to a sum not exceeding the cost of the Inspection and report. We will not be liable to you for any consequential loss of whatever nature suffered by you or any other person injured and indemnify us in respect of any claims concerning any such loss.

To ensure efficient service and use of resources, we require notice of cancellation at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled inspection date and time. If you cancel your appointment less than 24 hours before it is due to take place, you will incur a cancellation fee of $150 +gst. This fee compensates for the preparation and scheduling adjustments made in anticipation of the inspection. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment to avoid this charge.