FAQs for Home Buyers & Sellers

A building inspection is a visual, non-invasive inspection of a property. Where there is reasonable access, as determined by the standards, the Surveyor will inspect visually all areas that are accessible.
The purpose of the inspection is to identify those areas which may require future or urgent maintenance, or which may require further investigation.
A thorough and systematic inspection by a properly qualified and trained Surveyor should provide as many facts as possible about the current condition of the property, which is then detailed in an easy to understand report.
It is important to realise a building Surveyor can only report about what can be seen. A good inspection by a well trained inspector should pick up evident clues that can identify significant defects as well as deferred maintenance and gradual deterioration.
The inspection and report reflect the condition of the property on the day of the inspection.

The Institute has a process for addressing issues in relation to service provision by accredited building surveyors.
Concerns must be in writing and addressed to the Chief Executive of the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand.
The Chief Executive will determine whether the information provided can be immediately addressed or be required to go through a formal process.
In the case of a formal process, further information may be sought prior to the information being sent to the accredited building surveyor for their written response.
The Board has discretion to expel a member of the Institute for a good and sufficient reason.
Should a complaint already reside within a legal jurisdiction, the Institute will not investigate until such time a judicial decision has been reached.

The Institute operates an Accreditation programme. If you have an issue with a surveying outcome, the relationship is with the surveyor, not the Institute.
You are entitled however to raise any concerns to member's activity with the Institute.

Accreditation