Firstly, having worked in this area for a long period of time I can assure the reader there are many competent reliable engineers in our market. This post is to highlight the less competent.
There has been a steady rise in houses being promoted for sale with an ‘Engineers Report’ contained within the property files. Unfortunately, some of these reports are questionable.
Buyers ask:
- The Engineers visual inspections will provide protections for future (insurance) claims, right?
- These types of Engineers reports can be trusted the same as say a Ps4, being reliable, right?
Unfortunately, the buyers and sellers are wrong on both accounts.
In defense of some in the industry. In many cases, the engineer has not been provided, nor reviewed any related property data, nor had ever been onsite pre-works or during the construction and completion phases.
Buyers need to be wary and seek a second opinion
Lacking detail? Terms like “Post-works inspection”, “visual observations”, “based on the contractor’s assurances that all works completed to a high standard”. Perhaps the term “assumptions” has been stated too many times. These reports need to be closely scrutinized.
So how reliable are these types of reports?
If you are a buyer and unfamiliar with the nuances contained within professional consultants reports, you should stop trying to determine them for reliability, instead seek a second independent opinion from Risknet. Email us here
Baseless reports, coupled with questionable independence are deeply concerning. They add nothing to assist purchasers wishing to make informed decisions, rather they expose the purchaser to a future nightmare.
Check it before you buy it!
Risknet provides Independent, Reliable, and Affordable services linked directly to quake-related issues.
Visit www.risknet.co.nz or call Stuart Fletcher on 022 609 6026