Technical inspection of an apartment before buying
You find out what can be observed and measured before you sign. We check finishes, exposed installations, damp and accessible areas, and document the findings in a clear report.
An apartment inspection before purchase is a visual, non-invasive check of the accessible elements: walls, ceilings, floors, joinery, doors, sanitary ware, radiators, the visible electrical panel, and the balcony, terrace or storage room where access exists. The result is a photographic report with factual findings graded by severity and recommendations proportionate to what was observed.
The purpose is to enter the purchase discussion with documented information rather than impressions. We separate what is visible now, what could be measured on site, and what remains unclear and would deserve a further specialist check.
Scheduling depends on access to the property. The final price depends on property type, access, floor area, location and the modules included, and is confirmed by quotation.
When to book the inspection
The most useful moment is before signing the pre-contract or paying a deposit, while the terms can still be discussed. If the pre-contract is already signed, the inspection remains useful for knowing what works lie ahead and planning your budget.
You need an access window of roughly two hours, electricity and water in service and, if possible, the owner or agent present to open technical spaces.
What we check in the apartment
We go through every room systematically and document what is visible and accessible, with photos linked to the room and the element.
- Walls, ceilings and floors: visible cracks, damp traces, stains, noticeable unevenness, quality of finishes.
- Joinery and doors: condition of profiles and seals, closing, visible condensation on glazing, hardware.
- Exposed sanitary installation: sanitary ware, taps, visible leaks, traces under the washbasin or around the bath.
- Visible heating installation: radiators, thermostatic valves, exposed boiler, accessible flues.
- Visible electrical panel: layout, labelling, accessible sockets and switches, working light fittings.
- Balcony, terrace, storage room and adjacent common areas, within the access permitted on the day.
Measurements and comfort
Depending on the chosen variant, the inspection may include measurements, always recorded together with the place and the conditions in which they were taken. Values are indicative for the moment of the visit and do not describe the annual performance of the home.
- Air and surface moisture measurements in suspect areas, with non-invasive instruments.
- Laser measurements and, in the variants that include it, an indicative 2D floor plan with no cadastral value and no DWG delivery.
- Acoustic comfort: an indicative capture of ambient noise in dB, taken in the centre of each room under the conditions of the visit. It is not a sound insulation test and does not certify acoustic compliance.
- Mobile signal: a capture of the GSM/4G/5G level for Orange and Vodafone at the time of the inspection, with no guarantee of future coverage.
- Thermal images, where the module is included and temperature conditions allow a reasonable interpretation.
What you receive
The deliverable is a report you can read on your own and pass on to the seller, the agent, a builder or an authorised specialist.
Limits of the inspection
A BuildScan inspection is a private, visual, non-invasive and informative service. We state explicitly what falls outside its scope, so you know from the start where our conclusions stop.
- It is not an authorised technical expert report, a design review, an official handover of works, nor an ANEVAR valuation.
- We issue no legal certification and take no position on whether the building complies with its permit or technical documentation.
- We make no cuts, drillings, demolitions or dismantling; we check what is visible and accessible at the time of the visit.
- We cannot confirm the condition of elements hidden inside the structure, screeds, walls or spaces without access.
- We take no position on the structural strength of the building and do not replace an authorised technical expert when the situation calls for one.
- We do not guarantee that the cause of a damp problem will be identified, and we promise neither a price reduction nor a successful negotiation.
Price and quotation
Property inspection from RON 1,500
The property inspection starts from RON 1,500 for the Simple variant. The Complex and Complete variants add further modules and have different starting prices, detailed on the pricing page.
The final quote depends on property type, access, floor area, location and the modules chosen. For travel outside the base area, travel and, where applicable, accommodation costs may be added and are communicated before confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions we receive most often before booking.
Can the inspection be done before the pre-contract?
Yes, and that is the most useful moment. All that is needed is for the seller or agent to allow access for roughly two hours. An inspection before the pre-contract leaves you room to discuss the terms with full knowledge.
What access is required?
We need access to all rooms, to the balcony, terrace and storage room if they are part of the transaction, and electricity and water in service. Without utilities we cannot check elements that must be operated, and this is recorded explicitly in the report.
How long does an apartment inspection take?
The visit usually takes between one and three hours, depending on floor area, number of rooms and the modules included. All data is collected in a single visit, and the report is delivered within the term communicated when the order is confirmed.
Are noise and mobile signal measured?
Yes, in the variants that include these modules. Acoustic comfort is recorded as an ambient level in dB, measured in the centre of each room under the conditions on the day; it is not a sound insulation test. Mobile signal is captured for Orange and Vodafone at the time of the inspection, with no guarantee of future coverage.
Does the report help with negotiation?
The report gives you a documented description of the visible condition, with photos and severity levels, that you can use in the discussion with the seller. We promise no price reduction and do not guarantee the outcome: the commercial decision remains entirely yours.