1. Accepting these terms

These terms apply when you ask Portobello Plumbing Co to provide a pre-purchase plumbing and/or roof inspection. By booking the inspection, you accept these terms together with our general Terms of Trade.

The booking should identify the customer, property, inspection type, agreed fee and any additional testing requested.

2. Purpose of the report

The report gives our professional opinion on the visible condition of the agreed plumbing and/or roofing components on the inspection date. Its purpose is to highlight apparent concerns and areas where further investigation, maintenance or repair may be worth considering.

It is not a guarantee that the property is defect-free, a full building inspection, a code-compliance certificate or a warranty of future performance.

3. Inspection scope

The inspection is visual, non-invasive and limited to areas that are reasonably and safely accessible and in clear view.

A plumbing inspection may cover visible supply pipes, fixtures, hot-water equipment, drainage components and signs of leakage or corrosion. A roof inspection may cover visible cladding, flashings, penetrations, valleys, spouting, downpipes and accessible roof-space areas.

We may operate accessible fixtures where appropriate. Any additional test must be agreed before the inspection.

4. Access and exclusions

We do not open walls, lift roofing or flooring, move heavy items, excavate, or inspect concealed or inaccessible areas.

Unless specifically agreed, the inspection does not include:

• CCTV drain inspection or underground pipe assessment;
• destructive moisture, pressure or water-quality testing;
• structural, electrical, gas or hazardous-material assessment;
• council-file, consent or Building Code review;
• weathertightness certification;
• property valuation, insurance advice or repair quotes; or
• prediction of a component's remaining service life.

5. Roof access and leaks

Whether we access or walk on a roof depends on its height, pitch, condition, weather and safe access. Where direct access is unsafe, we may inspect from ground level, a ladder or another suitable viewing point and will note the limitation.

Leak tracing is not exact. Water can travel through roofing and framing before appearing, and some leaks occur only in particular weather. The absence of visible moisture does not prove that no leak exists.

6. Plumbing and drainage limitations

A visual inspection cannot confirm the internal condition of concealed pipes or underground drains. It may not identify partial blockages, root intrusion, poor falls, intermittent leaks or damage hidden behind finishes.

Where signs suggest an underlying problem, we may recommend CCTV, pressure testing, leak detection or another specialist investigation.

7. A snapshot in time

The report records what was reasonably visible on the inspection date. Conditions can change, and defects may be concealed, intermittent or obscured by belongings, recent work or dry weather.

We do not guarantee future performance, future maintenance costs or that every defect has been found. Any cost indication is an estimate only unless supplied as a separate fixed quote.

8. Recommendations

If we recommend further investigation by a drainlayer, roofer, engineer, electrician, council or another specialist, you should obtain that advice before confirming the purchase where practical.

The decision to buy remains yours. This report should form only one part of your wider legal, financial and building due diligence.

9. Who can rely on the report

The report is prepared only for the named customer, the identified property and the inspection date. You may share it with your lawyer, lender or professional adviser, but no other person may rely on it as our customer without our written agreement.

10. Questions, concerns and liability

Please read the full report, including its recorded access limitations. Contact us promptly if anything is unclear or appears incorrect. Where practical, give us a reasonable opportunity to revisit the property before arranging remedial work through somebody else.

Nothing in these terms limits rights that cannot legally be excluded. Subject to that, we are responsible only for direct and reasonably foreseeable loss caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill. We are not responsible for a defect that was concealed, inaccessible or not reasonably apparent at the inspection time.

11. Contact

Portobello Plumbing Co
027 549 9090
hello@portobelloplumbing.co.nz