Pre-Purchase Property Inspection: A Business Where One Report Saves More Than It Costs
Homebuyers can't see hidden defects. A professional inspector surveys the property and delivers a written report with findings.
A pre-purchase property inspection is a professional service in which a certified inspector physically assesses the condition of a building โ from foundations and electrical systems to plumbing, HVAC, and the roof. The result is a written report with photographic evidence, a description of defects found, and recommendations. The business operates on a per-inspection payment model. Clients are primarily individuals buying a property, but also developers, investors, and mortgage lenders. The inspector works independently, with no connection to the estate agent or seller. Entering the profession requires specialist knowledge, certification, and professional indemnity insurance.
Estate agents have an interest in a smooth sale, not in uncovering problems. A buyer typically walks through a property once, without specialist equipment or a trained eye โ yet they're committing to a financial obligation lasting decades. Hidden defects in the roof, wiring, or foundations only surface after contracts are exchanged.
๐Globally growing market
The building inspection sector is on a sustained upward trajectory. Rising transaction volumes and growing buyer awareness of hidden-defect risks are driving demand.
