ASAP BUILDING INSPECTIONS LTD

Services

Infrared Thermal Imaging

This is the science of looking at a building using a Thermal Camera. We use this to observe temperature differences in a surface such as a wall or ceiling and using our building knowledge combined with the use of our moisture meters and other specialty tools try and determine the cause of the thermal difference. Causes can be due to a lack of insulation, the presence of metal framing or a moisture problem. When something is wet, it will heat up and cool down at a different rate than when it is dry, a bit like how wetting one finger makes it feel colder than the others.

Our Thermal Camera has a variety of uses including the following:

Used when carrying out pre-purchase or pre-sale inspections.

To check a specific area where moisture is suspected to help track the source of the water.

Checking for hot spots in electrical switch boards; often required by insurance companies for commercial or industrial properties.

For detecting positions of underfloor heating when a fault has occurred or an alteration is being done requiring fixings to the floor.

Looking for in-wall plumbing.

Detecting bracing elements in a lined wall.

A Leaky Home

Visually this section of walls looked fine but the Infra red thermal image shows a possible issue and the moisture meter shows it is wet.

Moisture check report

Unlike a weathertightness report, this report is more for spot checks when you know or suspect you have a moisture problem but need to find the source of the water, whether it be a leak around a shower, window or wall, or roof, etc.

We use our building knowledge, moisture meters which can be invasive or non-invasive, and our Thermal Imagery Camera.

These reports are normally charged out as an hourly rate as they can be simple or complicated to sort.

Non invasive moisture meter showing a good reading.

Compared to an extremely high reading with no visible damage, this area needs invasive testing.

Unauthorised building Work reports:(Safe & Sanitary report)

These reports are for lodgement with council when work that should have had a Building Permit (pre 1992) was carried out without prior council approval.
An inspection of the dwelling, and usually the council property file, is required, and we first assess whether we believe the work required approval. Council requires updated plans showing the extent of the work and the consultant’s report detailing the scope of the unauthorised work. Included in this report council need confirmation the consultant believes the work is safe & sanitary. The owner then lodges the report with council, along with the council fee. If accepted by council, this documentation is then put into the Property File as information accessible to public viewing the file, and is included in any future LIM.

Certificate of Acceptance application reports and documentation: (CoA)

Certificate of Acceptance applications are required usually when work has been carried out after 1992 without the required Building Consent approval. Councils process the application and issued a certificate for aspects of the work they believe comply with the Building Code.
The documentation required to be lodged with the application is similar to that required by a Consent application. It includes up to date drawings and a consultant is usually required to provide a report on the way the work has been done and list how it complies with the clauses of the Code.
Remedial work may be required, either prior to lodgement of the report, or as a recommendation of work required listed in the report. Council may require a Building Consent application for major remedial work.

Pre-Sale Inspections

These are very similar to our Pre-purchase reports and can include any of those options. They are useful for owners to help assess any problems before marketing their property.
Addressing any issues prior to finding a buyer can help a sale go more smoothly. You can use the report to show to potential purchases, either as a declaration of what you know is wrong, or hopefully as an assurance that all is well.
Some purchasers may still wish to obtain their own report.

Thermal Reports on Electrical Circuit Boards

These are becoming a common requirement by insurance companies for buildings that have large or numerous electrical boards, such as cool stores, saw mills, joinery shops, etc. We can do an initial report including Thermal images of componentry, and do follow up inspections either annually or bi-annually as required.

Building Consultancy

We are experienced in building houses, reading plans and documentation and understanding the requirements of the building code. Having worked for and with council, we usually have a good grasp on their requirements and can liaise with them on your behalf to sort out issues regarding unauthorised work or obtaining a Code Compliance Certificate.
Call us to discuss your needs, if we can’t help we will try and guide you through your options or suggest someone who can assist.

Programmed Maintenance Report

This is a check of you property to assess any upcoming maintenance. These are particularly useful for rentals where the landlord is absent, holiday accommodation where you are seldom at the property or even motel units to keep on top of repairs and remedial work before they get on top of you.

Determinations

We have experience in compiling documentation for and assisting with applications for Determinations. These applications are made by owners and lodged with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) previously the Dept. of Building & Housing. They are decisions made by MBIE about compliance with the NZ Building Code and are more commonly used when councils refuse to issue a Code Compliance Certificates.