FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What buyers ask us most about the inspection, the report and booking.
Index
The inspection
How long does the inspection take?
It depends on floor area. For flats up to 90 m² expect at least 45 minutes; for a villa it can run beyond two hours. The report follows within 48 working hours.
What exactly is checked?
Up to 170 aspects of the property: structure, electrical installation and consumer unit, plumbing and waste in bathrooms and kitchen, ventilation, insulation, soundproofing, windows, gas points, heating and boiler, air conditioning and finishes, plus orientation, outdoor areas and garage.
Do I need to be there?
No. We usually carry out the inspection alongside the estate agent or the owner. You still receive the full report with a photographic annex, and you can speak to the architect who did it.
Does the owner need to know?
Yes, and it matters. Once the booking is confirmed we contact the owner to give them the architect's name and confirm the time.
Can you do this for a new-build handover?
Yes, and it is one of the best times to do it. Spanish law gives you warranties against the developer with fixed time limits, so anything documented at handover is their repair, not yours.
The report
What does the report contain?
A detailed assessment by a chartered architect covering structure, services, finishes and possible hidden defects, with every item photographed and costed.
Is it in English?
The standard report is issued in Spanish, which is what your lawyer and any Spanish contractor will need. Tell us when you book and we will go through it with you in English.
Are the defects priced?
Yes. Every defect found is given an estimated cost based on real Spanish repair prices, so you can judge what the property will actually need after completion.
How do I receive it?
As a PDF by email, within 48 working hours of the visit.
Who writes it?
Chartered architects (arquitectos colegiados) with experience in building renovation. In Spain that is the profession qualified to assess a building's condition and answerable for the assessment.
Booking and payment
How do I pay?
Choose a date and time when booking; at the end of the process you are taken to a secure payment gateway where you can pay by debit or credit card.
Can I cancel?
Up to 3 working days before the scheduled date, with an administrative charge of €49.90. With less notice there is no refund, although we will try to reschedule.
What if the seller does not turn up?
We wait at the property for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes from the agreed time. We cannot refund, but we apply a 25% discount on your next booking.
What if the floor area is different?
We charge on the built area recorded at the catastro. If the property turns out to be larger than the band you booked, you pay the difference; if smaller, we refund it.