Bookabuilder pre-purchase inspections

09/11/2025

Have you got a contract in place before starting a renovation?

08/11/2025

If you are looking at buying new make sure to check out this video from this search, building report

Home Owners and Buyers Association NZ president John Gray talks to Ryan Bridge about the high number of houses failing final building inspections. Subscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jX Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 NZ Herald Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4o...

05/11/2025

When getting quotes from builders make sure they are not cheaper due to using cheaper products. It cost more in the long run.

02/11/2025

If you need any building work done around north or west Auckland hit the team up at Willis & Co Construction

31/10/2025

🪟 When “new build” doesn’t mean “no problems” 😅

You’d think a brand-new house would be flawless… but today I inspected a new build and found a non-opening window installed upside down 🙃

Yes — the drainage slots are now at the top! Not ideal when it rains… unless the plan was to water the insulation 💦

Just another reminder why even new homes need a proper inspection — building mistakes happen more often than you’d think.

If you’re buying new (or near-new), get it checked properly before you sign off ✅
📍North Shore & wider Auckland
🔍 Book online: bookabuilder.co.nz

31/10/2025

🪟 When “new build” doesn’t mean “no problems” 😅

You’d think a brand-new house would be flawless… but today I inspected a new build and found a non-opening window installed upside down 🙃

Yes — the drainage slots are now at the top! Not ideal when it rains… unless the plan was to water the insulation 💦

Just another reminder why even new homes need a proper inspection — building mistakes happen more often than you’d think.

If you’re buying new (or near-new), get it checked properly before you sign off ✅
📍North Shore & wider Auckland
🔍 Book online: bookabuilder.co.nz

23/10/2025

We all need a Ruby 😆

21/10/2025

🎉 One Year On 🎉

Today marks 1 year since I stepped away from running my building/renovations company full time and launched into pre-purchase property inspections. It’s been a big change, but one I’ve really enjoyed.

I want to give a huge shout-out to my nephews, Matt & Rob from Willis Construction. They’ve had my back whenever I’ve needed a hand, and I’ve jumped back on the tools with them when they’ve needed me too. It’s been awesome having such a solid team to work alongside.

Joining a networking group with Matt has been another highlight – we catch up at least once a week, and it’s been great growing our businesses side by side.

A big thank you as well to all the agents, clients, and friends who have supported me through this first year. Here’s to many more years helping people buy with confidence!

🔨🏡 If you need a qualified builder for renovations or new builds – get in touch with Willis Construction.
📋 If you’re buying and want peace of mind, you know where to find me – Book a Builder Property Inspections.

21/10/2025

Celebrating my 1st year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

19/10/2025

If you live on the North Shore you should definitely check out Actons Lawyers page!

17/10/2025

Seeing the Unseen: How Thermal Imaging Helps Detect Hidden Moisture

When you book a building inspection, most of the problems I look for are hidden behind walls, ceilings, and floors. You can’t always see early signs of dampness, leaks, or missing insulation with the naked eye.

That’s why I use thermal imaging cameras as part of my inspection process. These tools don’t just take photos — they show heat patterns across a surface, helping me spot areas that may need further investigation.

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What Thermal Imaging Shows

A thermal camera doesn’t detect moisture directly. Instead, it records temperature differences on a surface:

Warmer areas show up as yellow, orange, or red.

Cooler areas show up as purple or blue.

Moisture can make building materials cooler than their surroundings, especially as water evaporates. This means that damp patches, leaks, or hidden water ingress often show up as colder spots compared to dry areas.

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How I Use It in Inspections

During an inspection, I scan walls, ceilings, and floors with the thermal camera to:

Identify unusual cold areas that could suggest leaks, rising damp, or poor insulation.

Highlight “thermal bridges” (where framing or concrete lets heat escape).

Spot areas of concern around windows, bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior walls.

When I see a colder area that doesn’t match its surroundings, I then use a moisture meter to test that specific spot. This combination of tools gives a much clearer picture of what’s happening inside the building fabric.

Why This Matters to You

For buyers and homeowners, thermal imaging adds real value because it:

Finds issues earlier – before they’re visible to the eye.

Reduces guesswork – by showing where to take more detailed moisture tests.

Provides transparency – photos included in your report give you a clear visual record of what I found on site.

The Key Takeaway

Thermal imaging is not a stand-alone moisture test — but when used alongside professional moisture meters, it’s a powerful way to find hidden problems early.

By combining both tools, I can give you a more accurate, detailed report, so you can move forward with confidence whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining your property.

17/10/2025

Understanding Protimeter Surveymaster Readings in Your Building Report

When reading through your property inspection report, you may come across photos of a small handheld device pressed against walls or floors with a number displayed on the screen. This tool is quite often the Protimeter Surveymaster as it is one of the most widely used moisture meters for building inspections.

Including these photos in your report isn’t just for show — they give you a clear record of how moisture was checked and what the results looked like at the time of inspection.

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What the Protimeter Surveymaster Does

The Surveymaster is a dual-function moisture meter:

1. Non-invasive (search mode) – scans just below the surface (about 20mm deep) without leaving any marks, perfect for checking painted walls, ceilings, or delicate finishes.

2. Pin (measure mode) – uses two pins to measure exact moisture content inside timber or plasterboard, giving a direct percentage reading.

This makes it a flexible tool for both quick scanning and more precise follow-up checks.

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Why the Readings Are Shown in Photos

In your inspection report, photos of the Surveymaster screen are included to:

Show baseline (dry) readings from internal areas to use as a comparison.

Highlight higher readings found near risk zones — such as bathrooms, kitchens, exterior walls, or around windows.

Provide transparency so you can see the actual readings taken on the day.

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What the Numbers Mean

In non-invasive “search mode”, the Surveymaster shows a scale of 0–999. These are relative readings, not percentages. Here’s how to interpret them:

0 – 170 = Normal Range
Typical of dry, internal walls. Used as the benchmark for the property.

171 – 200 = Slightly Elevated / At Risk
Indicates a possible build-up of moisture worth monitoring or investigating.

201 – 300 = High
Likely moisture issue present, further testing recommended.

300+ = Very High
Strong indication of leaks, water ingress, or hidden dampness.

In pin “measure mode”, the display shows an actual % moisture content in wood or plasterboard. For example:

0–15% = Dry

16–20% = Borderline

21%+ = Damp / at risk of decay or mould.

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How This Helps You as a Buyer or Owner

Seeing photos of Protimeter readings in your report helps you:

Understand which areas are “normal” compared to the rest of the house.

See clear evidence of potential problem spots.

Get peace of mind that the inspection was thorough and measured, not just visual.

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Key Takeaway

When your building report shows Protimeter Surveymaster readings:

Remember the non-invasive numbers are relative, used to spot patterns rather than exact percentages.

Pin readings (if included) show actual moisture content in % — especially useful in timber.

Photos make the report more transparent and help you see exactly what the inspector saw.

This combination of evidence and explanation ensures you can make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, or whether further invasive testing is needed.