statement of policy

If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to ask
by emailing or phoning one of the numbers at the bottom of these pages.

Scope: The inspection and corresponding report are based on a limited visual inspection of the standard systems and components of the home. 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.

Limitations: Any areas that are concealed, contained, inaccessible, or cannot be seen, due to walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, soils, vegetation, furniture, stored items, systems, appliances, vehicles, or any other object, will not be inspected or included in the report. The client agrees to assume all the risk, for any condition or problems that may be concealed at the time of the inspection. Nothing will be dismantled during the inspection, and there will be no destructive testing performed. Appliances and spa/pool equipment special cycles or features are not inspected; none of the appliances or equipment will be dismantled, and no determination of their efficiency will be made.

The client understands that the house inspector has had a minimum of ten years’ experience in the building industry and has had specific training in the procedures of house inspections. 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 by the client. Waikato Building Reports Ltd (‘Company’) shall retain all intellectual property/copyright in the report including all photos, drawings, specifications and other documents prepared by the building inspector. The client shall be entitled to use the report only for the purpose for which it was intended. The client may reproduce the report in which the Company has copyright, as reasonably required in connection with the purchase of the house but not otherwise. The client shall have no right to use any of these documents where any or all of the fees and expenses remain payable to the Company.

Reasonable Access: 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).

Items and Conditions Excluded From the Report Include: Building codes, zoning ordinance violations, 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, appraisal of property value, repair estimates, detached buildings, sheds, underground condition of pool and spa bodies and related piping, items marked as not inspected within the report, private water systems, septic systems, saunas, specialized 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 item or system, minor and/or cosmetic problems, latent or concealed defects.

This report does not cover any buildings suffering from rotting homes, leaky homes and toxic mould situations, however areas that the inspector believes to be potential problem areas are checked with a non invasive moisture meter, and by other clues. Rotting of framing can only be determined by invasive testing which means removing wall linings. This would not be done without the written consent of the owner. We will consider weather tightness, regardless of age; however it will not be measured against appendix A of the Standards or to E2/AS1 of the Building Code, Matrix and Evaluation, as this would be subject to a specialist report.

Disputes and Limitation on Liability: The client agrees to notify the inspector of any dispute in written form, within ten days of discovery.

The client further agrees that with the exception of emergency conditions, no repairs, replacements or alterations of the claimed discrepancy shall be made before the inspector can re-inspect the said item. Client understands and agrees that any failure to notify the inspector as stated above shall constitute a waiver of any and all claims for said failure to accurately report the condition in question. In the event of making a claim against Waikato Building Reports Ltd you need to contact our office immediately and request a claim form.

Important Information: You need to be aware that it is possible for problems in a house to be disguised to prevent detection. If you notice anything on the day you move into the property that was not visible at the time of your visit and our inspection then you should immediately contact us to discuss.

Vendor Inspections: The vendor is required to notify the inspector of any existing conditions that you are aware of that have been an issue or may become a problem at the time of the inspection.

Cancellation Policy: If the inspection is cancelled up to 24 hours before the inspection is due to be undertaken, a fee of $100 will be charged. If the inspection is cancelled within a 24 hour period of the due date of the inspection, the full cost of the inspection will be charged. We reserve the right to apply this policy at our discretion.

Payment Policy: Payment is due on delivery of the inspection report unless otherwise arranged. NO Statement or receipt will be issued. All costs associated with debt collection will be added to the value of the invoice. Interest will be added at 2% per month for overdue accounts.

Disclaimer:
(a) This is a report of a visual only, non-invasive inspection of the areas of the building which were readily visible at the time of inspection. The inspection did not include any areas or components which were concealed or closed in behind finished surfaces (such as plumbing, drainage, heating, framing, ventilation, insulation or wiring) or which required the moving of anything which impeded access or limited visibility (such as floor coverings, furniture, appliances, personal property, vehicles, vegetation, debris or soil).

(b) The inspection did not assess compliance with the NZ Building Code including the Code’s weather tightness requirements, or structural aspects. On request, specialist inspections can be arranged of weather tightness or structure or of any systems including electrical, plumbing, gas or heating.

(c) As the purpose of the inspection was to assess the general condition of the building based on the limited visual inspection described in (a), this report may not identify all past, present or future defects. Descriptions in this report of systems or appliances relate to existence only and not adequacy or life expectancy. Any area or component of the building or any item or system not specifically identified in this report as having been inspected was excluded from the scope of the inspection.