Further pages in this site

RULES AND REGULATIONS

LINK PARTNERS

CONTACT US

Property Defects Gallery - Inspection Photographs

Photographic evidence is important to any inspection, especially if the owner is not present at the property inspection.  It can also be far more accurate than a snagging list produced by the builder, as a picture tells a thousand words.
This defects gallery shows typical examples of faults and gives hints and tips for what to look for when checking  or snagging a property.
The most important advice is go prepared and equipped for the inspection. As a minimum you will need the property specification and paper to produce your own list, a good torch, spirit level, tape measure, cleaning cloths and a digital camera.

Completion Issues
Completion Issues, highlighting where the property or more commonly the communal facilities are not ready, including the pools, gardens and the property.

Everything included in the specification on the contract should be installed including white goods, lights and AC.

Remember that the property should be complete, cleaned and ready to move into immediately after completion. if your sales contract includes facilities such as pools, gardens bars and commercial facilities they should be complete as not having them may affect the rental possibility of the property.

Important tip, always get the agent or builder to confirm, IN WRITING, that the property and facilities are finished, BEFORE, you arrange the completion visit. The ask them to send you a photograph of your property and the surroundings.

Below are just a few examples of real developments where we have been called in to inspect; These are based on notifications from builders that properties are ready for completion.

Property does not meet agreed specification
Property does not meet agreed specification, which may include the size of rooms and the plot size. This gallery shows examples of missing kitchens and explains what you don't get i.e. lights and shower cubicles.

You need a tape measure as we would always advise measuring rooms and the plot size to check that they match details in the contract.

People who buy properties are still amazed often how little is included. The rule is, that if it is not listed in the contract specification it is not included in the property and this includes lights, where you will just have the live wiring hanging down. Shower cubicles, white goods and even kitchens are not necessarily included.

Pre-installation for air conditioning means that the cables, vents and drains are built into the walls and not, that it is included with the property.

Important advice, is get everything in writing, because what you see in the show house isn’t necessarily what is included in the property.

Doors and Windows
Doors and windows, highlighting poor frames, finish, locking, architraves and damage.
Here you are looking for any obvious chips and damage - do windows close properly and are the frames fixed securely with all the screws in place.
Important advice - don’t be afraid to pull hard and open the window by force, remember to check for scratched glass.

Tiling
The highest percentage of defects recorded relates to issues with tiling, both internally and externally. This includes, poor grouting and sealing around baths, showers and basins. Inspect holes around pipe work also behind toilets and basins and tiling that varies in shades and colour. Tiles that are not centred to walls and floors and where the levels do not allow water to run to drains or patios must also be checked.
Important advice - to check bathrooms properly you need a good light source and make sure you look in the corners, inside vanity units, behind and around basins and toilets. You need the spirit level to check the water runs to a drain, another obvious sign of a problem with this is water staining.

Walls and Ceilings
Wall and Ceilings are areas where the finish may vary dramatically and where surprisingly for Spain we see lots of damp, especially around doors and windows. This is often evident by mould and flaking paint.
When checking these areas always work from the ceiling downwards, looking carefully at corners and around windows and doors, moving furniture if in place.
When checking outside areas, the render finish should be even and the paintwork should all be the same colour.
Important tip - make sure that you have a good light source, do not inspect late in the day when the light is poor and check all areas from different angles.

Builders Supply
Builders supply showing the types of connections and highlighting the issues is an area where we see many problems.
Often power is not connected at the time of the inspection, with builders supply the connections can be unreliable, easily accessible and damaged.
Here are just some examples of builders supply connections, some of which are still there, 3 years after the photographs were taken.
Important advice, if you are connected to builders supplies always get emergency telephone numbers in case of failure.