Check the property for visible defects before you commit more money.

Legal due diligence checks documents. Technical inspection checks the property itself. Both matter.

A lawyer can check the CPCV, registry, seller, documents and deadlines. But a lawyer will not tell you whether the terrace drains properly, whether a ceiling stain is active, whether the bathroom smell points to drainage, whether a new kitchen hides old plumbing or whether the new-build unit has handover defects.

That is what technical inspection is for.

Depending on the property and access, the inspection may cover:

• visible damp and mould

• stains and water infiltration

• cracks in walls, ceilings or façade

• roof, terrace or balcony issues

• windows and doors

• floors, walls and ceilings

• kitchen installation

• bathroom condition

• plumbing and drainage red flags

• water pressure observations

• visible electrical red flags

• heating, cooling and ventilation

• renovation quality

• parking and storage

• common areas, where relevant and accessible

• new-build snagging issues before handover

The inspection is visual and practical. It is designed to help you understand visible risk before you commit.

• you are buying a used apartment

• you are buying a house or villa

• the property is old

• the property was recently renovated

• you see damp, cracks or stains

• the property has a terrace, balcony or roof risk

• you are buying remotely

• you want photos and written findings

• you are close to handover

• you are buying new-build or off-plan

• you want evidence before negotiation

If you are unsure whether the property needs inspection, send the link and a few photos.

The report is written for a buyer. You should be able to use it to ask whether to proceed, negotiate, request repairs, involve a lawyer, order specialist review or step back.

A seller can ignore a vague complaint. It is harder to ignore a written report with photos.

Instead of saying “I think there is damp”, you can say that the inspection identified visible damp staining in a specific area and ask for clarification, repair, specialist review or contract protection.

Inspection gives you evidence. Evidence gives you leverage.

For apartments, the inspection may cover damp, mould, cracks, windows, floors, bathroom drainage, kitchen installation, electrical points, balcony or terrace, garage or storage and visible common-area concerns.

We also pay attention to signs that may need legal or condominium follow-up, such as roof leaks, façade cracks, garage damp, terrace issues, approved building works or common-area defects.

For houses and villas, inspection is often more important because the buyer is usually taking responsibility for more of the building.

Where visible and accessible, we may check roof, gutters, drainage, exterior walls, façade cracks, terrace or balcony issues, damp at ground level, garage or basement humidity, plumbing red flags, electrical concerns, garden drainage, retaining walls and pool or technical areas.

A villa can look beautiful and still have expensive maintenance problems.

Renovated properties deserve special care. Fresh paint and new furniture can hide old problems.

We look for signs such as damp under new paint, poor bathroom ventilation, old plumbing behind a new kitchen, old electrical systems after “full renovation”, bad window sealing, cracked tiles, poor silicone and grout, weak terrace drainage or undocumented layout changes.

A renovation can be excellent. But it should be checked, not assumed.

For new-build or off-plan handover, inspection focuses on visible defects and unfinished works.

We may check paint and finishes, windows and doors, floor and tile defects, kitchen installation, bathroom drainage, plumbing and water issues, electrical points, terrace or balcony drainage, parking, storage and common areas where included and accessible.

Before final payment, defects should be written down and photographed. A verbal promise to fix things later is not enough.

A standard technical inspection is not destructive. It normally does not open walls, remove tiles, expose hidden pipes, certify electrical safety, certify structural safety, guarantee no hidden defects, replace a structural engineer, replace a licensed electrician, replace a plumber, replace gas inspection or replace legal due diligence.

If we see signs that specialist review is needed, the report can say so. A good inspection is honest about limits.

Technical Property Inspection — from €500.

The final price depends on:

• location

• property size

• apartment / house / villa

• new-build or used property

• whether exterior areas are included

• whether parking or storage is included

• urgency

• travel time

• report complexity

Before we start, we confirm the fee and what is included.

If the inspection shows that specialist follow-up is needed, we will say so.

Choose CPCV Review if inspection findings should be reflected in the contract.

Choose Pre-CPCV Legal Due Diligence if inspection findings raise legal or document questions.

Choose Full Buyer Representation if you want a Portuguese lawyer to coordinate the legal side of the purchase.

Choose Off-Plan Buyer Risk Pack if you are buying off-plan or new-build and need contract, staged payment, developer and handover risks reviewed together.