Pre-Purchase Building Inspection & Report

Our pre-purchase building reports are detailed, fast, and honest. We inspect everything that matters so you can make an informed offer, negotiate with confidence, or walk away with your eyes open.

The Checks That Matter Most

Know Exactly What You’re Buying. Before You Buy It.

You’ll get a clear, visual report with annotated photos, defect summaries, and practical next steps, delivered within 24 hours of the inspection. We’ll also walk you through the findings in plain language so you know exactly what’s important.

Buying a home is a big step and the last thing you want is hidden issues showing up after you’ve signed the contract. Our inspections give you the full picture, fast.

Defect identification

Highlighting visible defects, damage, or risk areas with photos and notes.

Floor level measurement

Using a zip level to detect unevenness or movement.

Full exterior and interior inspection

Looking for wear, damage, or areas at risk.

Moisture testing

Checking key areas for signs of leaks or trapped water.

Roof condition assessment

Via drone, so nothing is missed and no surfaces are damaged.

Room-by-room checks

Assessing fittings, finishes, and fixtures.

It’s a thorough, structured process designed to give you clarity now, and confidence later.

Get peace of mind before you commit.

Book a Pre-Purchase Inspection

Final pricing depends on the size, location, and complexity of the home. We’ll confirm that when you book.

Pricing from

$595

incl. GST

Trusted Where It Counts

The Word on Insight

Hear what buyers, sellers and agents are saying, and why they would trust Insight again and again.

Fantastic company to deal with. Went above and beyond with great service and attention to detail. Couldn't have been a better experience. Nick was very easy to work with and thorough! Couldn't recommend them enough!
Kurt Hay
Having this inspection report saved us $50,000 on the asking price. Great fast professional service, detailed report including photographs of damage. Definitely worth it, would really recommend.
Elizabeth Daly
Nick from insight has provided the best service. We are first home buyers and we were a little unsure exactly what we're looking for. If we had any questions nick was more than happy to help out where he could and gave some great recommendations. These guys are great and reassuring when you are purchasing a home. They are the ones you want to check your pre-purchase
Shaun & Leanne Cain
I had Nick do another building inspection for another house and he did a great job. He pointed out potential problems in the future and was incredibly helpful when we rang him to clarify. I would highly recommend Insight Building Inspections for anyone who desires approachable service.
Angu Chen
Nick and the team did a pre-approval inspection for us and their professionalism and efficiency was appreciated. The report was thorough, easy to read and the few queries we had were answered without any issues. Thanks again.
Kirsty B
Nick from Insight Building Inspections did an excellent, professional building inspection job, he spotted all majors and potential issues, that helped us make a correct decision. Especially, he found out a big major issue--shower box potential leaking, after the owner hired the plumber and did some further investigations, end up the owner has to replace the shower box with brand new one. Thanks Nick for your great work, we really appreciate it. We would highly recommended him.
Jenny Chen
Very helpful with advise also carried out an asbestos test for us. His report enabled us to negotiate a better price on the property which we have now purchased. I recommend Insight to anyone looking for a building inspector in Christchurch **Positive** Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Tony Rockinfifties
Nick was extremely helpful and approachable during the purchase of our new home. He was easily contactable, explained the process and any questions we had in great detail, and was always professional and kind. We very much appreciate the work you did for us - thank you Nick!
Rhiannon Curtin
Nick was professional, practical and gave really good advice. He went above and beyond helping us, and I can't recommend him highly enough. If I could give him more stars I would!
Jahna Miller
Couldn’t recommend Nick from Insight anymore. We are FHB’s and didn’t know what to expect. The report was very detailed and online which made it very easy to understand, further Nick even gave us a call on a public holiday to answer some of our questions about it. Will definitely be recommending and using Insight again!
Jordan Blandford
We had a Sales and Purchase agreement in place and we were able to confirm the condition of the building so the Purchaser could confirm their Insurance condition on the sale. Nick understood the urgency and acted quickly. Communication was professional and accurate. We'll be using Insight Inspections again.
Treena Swift
Nick and the team at Insight are fantastic! We had a client that required a building report for her home. He was incredibly prompt and compiled a full, detailed report. The report was in electronic format and you can even click between the different items of interest with ease. You can even download them in PDF format to email them to the less technically minded people. Very professional and thorough.
Simon Corkindale
Thanks Insight Building Inspections! It didn't take long for me to realize Nick takes work seriously, and has an incredible knowledge around houses in Christchurch and takes a great deal of pride in what he does. I would recommend to all needing your services offered on your website.
Dan Middleton
I've had two inspections done with Insight recently and the level of service was exceptional. We had a couple of concerns with the second property and Nick was able to provide some excellent advice to address these.
Chris Packham
Nick from Insight has been fantastic to deal with. He arranged a pre-purchase inspection for me in a short timeframe and gave an incredibly comprehensive and thorough building report. Nothing was missed, and he made sure we were aware of even minor things in the house that might need attending to. If you want someone who will go the extra mile and really do a thorough job so you can have peace of mind when you're buying a property, Nick is the guy to talk to!
Liz Sloan
I was very impressed by the team at Insight Building Inspections. They accommodated our request for a very quick turn around time, were lovely to deal with and the report appeared very thorough! I would highly recommend them!
Hannah
Great experience all round! Managed to get an inspection slotted in with a handful of days notice which was fantastic to relieve some stress while trying to go unconditional. The report we received was very comprehensive and easy to understand, as well as being reasonably priced. Exactly the type of service I was hoping for!
Peter Jackson
We thoroughly recommend Insight Building Inspections team for providing a prompt, professional and seamless experience while conducting a site visit to do a detailed floor levels survey of our multi-level home. Nick provided excellent service and communication throughout, with fast turnaround of the report within our required time-frame. We will be recommending Nick to all our friends and family & won't hesitate to use Insight again. A++
Patsy M
Nick was amazing during our First home Journey! We approached Insight to do a floor level inspection pre auction, he took this up at short notice and got it done quick smart for us.This enabled us to then make an offer with the information and awareness we gained from the Insight team. Without Insight, we would have felt in the dark during this process. Cheers Nick! Highly recommend!
Ryan Neave
Nick and team helped remove some of the stress of purchasing a new home for us. Insight were prompt, professional and thorough from start to finish. The report was turned around quickly and ticked all the boxes for our bank, lawyers and insurance. A++ recommended!
Nick & Katherine Gunn
Very good experience with Sam at Insight Building Inspections for our property in Somerfield. In particular we're pleased with his prompt contact and service. He was quick to identify key areas of the house that should be given attention and has a very, very good understanding of the EQC system. He is friendly and honest to deal with, has thorough reporting and very reasonable pricing would recommend and use Insight without hesitation. Thank you!
Angus Mckenzie
Nick was outstanding to work with. We needed a builders report done quickly as we needed to settle on a property. Nick was able to complete this report to a high standard and we received the report very quickly. Fantastic service and communication. Would strongly recommend his service for anyone wanting a building inspection. Thanks again Nick, you are a legend!
Dan Clarkson
I have used Nick and Insight twice now, both times on Commercial buildings in CHCH. Reviews were fantastic and provided good detail that helped me leading into purchasing pre-auction.
Amos Banbury
Sam and the rest of the team at Insight have been super easy to deal with and helpful buying my first home. From accommodating my request to change the inspection date, to providing a follow up call clearly explaining what was found at the inspection, and providing the report the following day which was comprehensive and easy to understand. Sam also attended the pre-settlement inspection with me for peace of mind that the maintenance items have been remedied correctly. Highly recommend!
Kate
We recently had the pleasure of using Insight Building Inspections to help with purchasing a new home. Nick was great with communication, was super thorough and explained any potential issues very well in the detailed report. We required their services at short notice due to a short due diligence period and there was no hesitation from the team.I would highly recommend Insight Building Inspections if buying or selling for their friendly manner, thorough Inspections and support identifying and helping decide on actions afterwards.
Hayden Sword
Nick and the team were awesome!! Got an inspection done super quick and saved us a bunch of hassle. It’s nice when you’re dealing directly with the owner of the company. Definitely recommend.
Bretto
Very happy with the Insight team. The service was prompt, the report was incredibly comprehensive. I have recommended Insight to some friends and have had positive feedback from doing so.
Ziggy Dot
Highly recommend the team at Insight. The inspection was booked quickly and the report was delivered within a tight timeframe allowing me to confirm on the property I had put an offer on. The report was incredibly thorough and easy to read and understand. I won't hesitate to use them again in the future. Thanks Insight!
Olivia Connell
Nick from Insight was able to provide us with a pre purchase house inspection in a tight time frame as we had a short due diligence period. The report was very thorough and is presented in way that is easy to follow and identifies issues in terms of priory. Nick is great to deal with and kept us in the loop about what was happening when and the expected time frames. Would use again.
Gemma Oliver
We had a great experience with Insight Building Inspections! Sam and Nick were professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. They were honest and provided valuable feedback, identifying areas that needed attention. They took the time to explain everything clearly, ensuring we could make informed decisions. We’ll definitely be using their services again in the future, highly recommend!
Darryl
Absolutely impressed with the Insight team. Their service was quick, and the report provided was detailed and thorough. I've already referred a few friends and have heard great things back from them as well.
Ben Hawkey
We used Nick and the team for a quick turnaround report for a property we were looking at. From start to finish the process was smooth, well communicated and there was no room for surprises. The perfect way to have service delivered. Having had the report and being helped through any queries resulting, we were able to make an informed decision which, looking back, we are very happy we did. Makes such a difference knowing that the professional you’re dealing with has integrity and your best interests at heart. Thanks guys. Would never hesitate recommending you to anyone needing a building report. A++ team!!
Kristin Savage
We had a great experience recently with Sam and Nick from Insight Building Inspections recently. We needed a building inspection and report to help with the sale of my father's house. Nick and Sam were quick to respond and arranged timing to suit us. The report was prompt, clear and thorough, and ultimately helped the sale go ahead. Much appreciated.
Rob S
Excellent experience, I'll definitely be using them again in future and would highly recommend to anyone.I got booked in quickly, which was a huge relief since this was the first major issues I've had with my house that needed inspection. I dealt with Nick, who was super responsive, great communication, and professional: on top of actually knowing his stuff and delivering exactly what we needed from the report.
Connor Benton
Who It's For

From First Homes to Forever Homes

We’re often called in when time is tight and we know how to move fast without missing anything.

Whether you’re a first home buyer, an experienced investor, or upgrading for your family, this inspection gives you the insight you need to make the right call. We’re often called in when time is tight and we know how to move fast without missing anything.

If you’re selling, see our Pre-Sale Building Inspection page for the best way to prepare your home for market.

Why Choose Insight

Your Trusted Inspectors

We’re Insight Building Inspections. A small, experienced team based in Christchurch, serving the Canterbury region. Since 2017, we’ve delivered thousands of detailed building reports to buyers, sellers, agents and owners across Canterbury.

Our job is simple: give you the clearest picture possible so you can make confident decisions. No spin. No cutting corners. Just real insights backed by experience and the best tools available.

Insight Building Inspections owner and specialist Nick conducting a roof inspection with a drone
5000+

Inspections completed across Canterbury

40+

Years of combined building & insurance experience

24hrs

Report turnaround. Fast, clear, no waiting

100+

Five-star reviews from buyers, sellers, and agents

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about our Pre-Purchase Building Inspection & Report

How long does it take?

We aim to inspect within 2–3 business days of booking, with the full report delivered the following day.

Can I be there during the inspection?

You’re welcome to meet us onsite at the end for a debrief. We’ll also call you to run through the key findings.

Is the report accepted by banks and lawyers?

Yes, our reports are clear, well-documented, and widely trusted across Canterbury.

Do you check EQC repairs or monolithic cladding?

Yes. We’re highly experienced with post-quake properties and common risk areas.