Residential Services
Residential Building Survey
Purchasing a property is one of the most significant financial commitments most people will make. A Baywise Residential Building Survey provides a comprehensive pre-purchase building condition and risk assessment undertaken by a Chartered Building Surveyor, highlighting the issues that matter before you buy.
With over 20 years of experience across New Zealand's residential and commercial property sectors, Baywise provides independent professional advice on a property's condition, associated risks and likely future maintenance obligations. Our surveys are designed to help purchasers make informed decisions with confidence.
Each survey includes a detailed assessment of the building's condition together with commentary on matters that may affect future ownership, including weathertightness risks, apparent unconsented building work, deferred maintenance and foreseeable building element replacement, exceeding NZS4306 Residential Property Inspection requirements.
Our assessments typically include:
- Building condition assessment
- Weathertightness assessment and non-invasive moisture testing
- Building history and property file review
- Apparent unconsented building work commentary
- Building compliance observations
- Defect identification and prioritisation
- Maintenance and building element replacement forecasting
- Photographic documentation
- Detailed written report
Drawing on extensive experience in weathertightness investigations and building defect assessments, Baywise can identify risk factors and indicators of concealed defects that may not be readily apparent to the untrained eye. This experience provides purchasers with valuable insight into the condition and performance of a property before committing to purchase.
Every report includes a Property Risk Dashboard, providing an at-a-glance summary of key findings and risk areas, including Building Condition, Weathertightness, Compliance, Maintenance and Future Expenditure risks. This enables clients to quickly understand the significance of identified issues and focus on the matters most likely to affect future ownership.
Whether you are purchasing your first home, an investment property, a lifestyle property or a high-value residence, Baywise provides the independent professional advice needed to make informed property decisions.
01
Weathertightness Investigation Reports
02
If you suspect, or are aware that your property has leaking issues, we’re here to help. We carry out thorough assessments using investigative techniques to find out where moisture is getting in and how much damage it may have caused. You’ll get clear answers and practical advice on what to do next.
Baywise provides:-
- Standalone non-invasive testing reports
- Invasive moisture testing reports
- Full Building and Focused Weathertightness Reports
Certificate of Acceptance Reports
Did you start building work after 1992 without a building consent? If so, you may be able to obtain a Certificate of Acceptance (CoA) to legitimise the work.
Baywise will inspect the building work to ensure it meets the current building code. We'll then provide a report to the Council, who will review it and conduct their own inspection. Council may then issue a Certificate of Acceptance within 20 working days. A CoA can be obtained for a variety of building work, including new bathrooms, kitchens, and re-cladding work etc. Give us a call to find out if we can help.
03
A timber remediation specialist assesses the condition of timber framing for decay, identifying areas needing replacement and retained areas for the application of preservative treatment. This service is often required when re-cladding a leaky building or for timber structures that have been exposed to the weather for extended periods of time.
Baywise assesses timber framing by using visual inspection, moisture testing, brashness testing (breaking), and laboratory analysis, drawing on our building remediation expertise.
We produce photographic site reports documenting the timber framing remediation process and a completion letter, which is submitted to the local council, to meet the conditions of the building consent.
04
Timber Remediation Specialists
Assisting building owners in the obtaining of Code Compliance Certificates for old building consents
05
If your building consent has lapsed and lacks a CCC, we may be able to help.
Councils often require a specialised report on weathertightness and durability before issuing a CCC for older consents. We provide these reports, and our work is accepted by local councils, with whom we have strong working relationships.
Dispute resolution (expert witness)
We assist with building and construction disputes. Our technical advice and expert opinions have helped many clients resolve their cases.
06
Construction observations/QA inspections for remediation & new building works.
New Build & Remediation Projects
We provide construction observation assessments to ensure your project complies with the approved plans and specifications and to acceptable workmanship standards. Our service helps identify issues early, preventing costly problems during or after construction.
If you have concerns about the quality of your upcoming or ongoing project, contact us to discuss how we can help.
07
Baywise provides advice to both insurance companies and the insured, carrying out assessments detailing the cause, extent of damage and providing remedial repair scopes of work.
If you insurance claim has been declined we may be able to help, contact us to find out how we may be able to help you.
08
Insurance assessments and reinstatements
09
Maintenance Planning
We shall assess the current condition of your property, identify any deferred maintenance, forecast future maintenance, assess the life expectancy of building elements for scheduled replacement and present in a clear understandable report format
10
Safe & Sanitary reports/ Third Party Reports
Tauranga City Council accepts independent third-party building reports from Baywise for:
- Unauthorised building work undertaken before 1 July 1992
- Work completed under a building permit issued before 1 July 1992
- Baywise inspects the work and reports if the work is Safe & Sanitary, if deemed so, the report can be lodged on the Property File as a public record.
A Third Party Report can also be lodged for:
- Work that was exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 at the time it was done. (i.e. work that does not require a building consent, but meets the building code)
Baywise inspects the work and assesses if the building work is exempt from requiring a building consent and if it meets building code requirements. If so, the report can be lodged on the Property File as a public record.
Every building is designed for a specific use and has to meet Building Code requirements that ensure it will be safe, healthy and durable when used in the way it was designed.
If that use changes, the building may need to be altered to support the new use. Baywise can assist in assessing if a Change of Use has occurred and whether any upgrades are likely to be required by council.
11
Change of Use Assessments
Independent Sampling & Expert Guidance
If you are concerned about visible or hidden mould and poor indoor air quality, we facilitate a professional testing and advisory process to help you understand the health of your property.
- On-Site Sampling: We conduct a physical assessment of the property and collect air or surface samples using specialised equipment.
- Independent Laboratory Analysis: All samples are sent to an independent, IANZ-accredited laboratory. The lab performs the scientific analysis and provides the formal findings regarding mould types and spore concentrations.
- Strategic Advice: Once the lab results are available, we provide expert advice based on those findings. We help you understand the implications for your property and provide a practical, independent plan for remediation or improvements to ventilation and moisture control.
12
