Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
 

1. What is a home inspection, and why do I need one?
A home inspection is a thorough, visual examination of a property's condition, from the roof to the foundation. For international buyers in Germany, it's your most powerful tool to avoid costly surprises. It provides an unbiased assessment of the property's state, giving you the knowledge to negotiate the price, plan your budget, or even walk away from a bad investment.
 

2. Is an inspection really necessary for an old building (Altbau) in Berlin?
Yes, it is even more critical. Berlin's charming Altbau apartments and houses are often over 100 years old. While they have character, they can hide age-related issues that are costly to repair. Our inspection focuses on the specific risks of older buildings: the condition of the original timber structures, outdated electrical wiring, lead pipes, historical insulation (or lack thereof), moisture in cellar walls, and the integrity of the roof. We help you understand the true maintenance cost behind the vintage facade.

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3. What areas do you cover?
We provide our home inspection services throughout Berlin and the surrounding areas in the state of Brandenburg. You can check our detailed service area map here.

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Berlin Districts:
Adlershof 12489, Alt-Hohenschönhausen 13051, Alt-Treptow 12435, Altglienicke 12524, Baumschulenweg 12437, Biesdorf 12683, Blankenburg 13129, Blankenfelde 13159, Bohnsdorf 12526, Borsigwalde 13509, Britz 12347, Buch 13125, Buckow 12349, Charlottenburg 10585, Charlottenburg-Nord 13627, Dahlem 14195, Falkenberg 13057, Fennpfuhl 10369, Friedenau 12159, Friedrichsfelde 10315, Friedrichshagen 12587, Friedrichshain 10243, Frohnau 13465, Gatow 14089, Gesundbrunnen 13347, Gropiusstadt 12351, Grünau 12527, Grunewald 14193, Hakenfelde 13587, Halensee 10709, Hansaviertel 10555, Haselhorst 13599, Heiligensee 13503, Heinersdorf 13089, Hellersdorf 12619, Hermsdorf 13467, Johannisthal 12487, Karlshorst 10318, Karow 13125, Kaulsdorf 12621, Kladow 14089, Konradshöhe 13505, Köpenick 12555, Kreuzberg 10961, Lankwitz 12247, Lichtenberg 10365, Lichtenrade 12305, Lichterfelde 12203, Lübars 13469, Mahlsdorf 12623, Malchow 13051, Mariendorf 12105, Marienfelde 12277, Marzahn 12679, Mitte 10117, Moabit 10551, Müggelheim 12559, Neu-Hohenschönhausen 13053, Neukölln 12043, Niederschöneweide 12439, Niederschönhausen 13156, Nikolassee 14129, Oberschöneweide 12459, Pankow 13187, Plänterwald 12435, Plänterwald 12437, Prenzlauer Berg 10405, Rahnsdorf 12589, Reinickendorf 13403, Rosenthal 13158, Rudow 12355, Rummelsburg 10317, Schmargendorf 14193, Schmöckwitz 12527, Schöneberg 10777, Siemensstadt 13627, Spandau 13581, Staaken 13591, Stadtrandsiedlung Malchow 13051, Steglitz 12165, Tegel 13507, Tempelhof 12103, Tiergarten 10785, Waidmannslust 13469, Wannsee 14109, Wartenberg 13059, Wedding 13349, Weißensee 13086, Westend 14052, Wilhelmsruh 13158, Wilhelmstadt 13593, Wilmersdorf 10707, Wittenau 13437, Zehlendorf 14129

Brandenburg:
Oranienburg 16515, Velten 16727, Hennigsdorf 16761, Falkensee 14612, Nauen 14641, Bernau bei Berlin 16321, Panketal 16341, Ahrensfelde 16356, Strausberg 15344, Fürstenwalde/Spree 15517, Eberswalde 16225, Zehdenick 16792, Gransee 16775, Löwenberger Land 16775, Mühlenbecker Land 16567, Glienicke/Nordbahn 16548, Leegebruch 16767, Oberkrämer 16727, Wandlitz 16348, Rüdersdorf bei Berlin 15562, Erkner 15537, Schöneiche bei Berlin 15566, Birkenwerder 16547, Hoppegarten 15366, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf 15370, Altlandsberg 15345, Marienwerder 16348, Beetzsee 14778, Potsdam 14467, Werder (Havel) 14542, Teltow 14513, Kleinmachnow 14532, Stahnsdorf 14532

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The Inspection Process
 

4. What exactly do you check during an inspection?
Our comprehensive inspection covers all major visible and accessible systems, including:

• Structure: Foundation, walls, ceilings, and roof.

• Exterior: Facade, balconies, drainage, and windows.

• Roof & Attic: Structure, insulation, and ventilation.

• Plumbing: Pipes, fixtures, water pressure, and drainage.

• Electrical Systems: Wiring, electrical panel, outlets, and safety switches (RCDs).

• Heating & Cooling: Boiler, heat pump, radiators, and controls.

• Interior: Walls, floors, doors, and visible insulation.

• Moisture & Mold: Signs of dampness, leaks, and mold growth.
   

View our full checklist.

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5. How long does an inspection take?
The duration depends on the property's size, age, and condition. Typically, an inspection for a standard apartment (60-120m²) takes 1-2 hours, while a single-family or multi-family house can take 2 hours or more.

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6. Should I be present during the inspection?
Yes, we highly recommend it. This is a valuable learning opportunity. You can see issues firsthand, ask questions on the spot, and gain a deeper understanding of your potential new home's systems and maintenance needs.

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Reporting & Aftercare

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7. Will I receive a report? In what language?
Yes, you will receive a detailed, easy-to-understand digital report. The report is written in clear English and includes:

• A summary of key findings.

• Detailed descriptions and photos of all observed issues.

• An assessment of the urgency for each item.

• Recommendations for repairs and maintenance.

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8. How soon will I get the report?
We understand the time-sensitive nature of property purchases. You will typically receive your comprehensive report within 24 hours after the inspection.

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Pricing & Booking

9. How much does a home inspection cost?
We offer transparent, fixed-price quotes with no hidden fees. Please use our online booking tool or contact us at info@homecheckberlin.de for an immediate and accurate quote.

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10. How do I book an inspection?
Booking is simple. You can book directly online or send us an email at info@homecheckberlin.de. Please provide the property address and any specific concerns you have. We will confirm availability and send you a formal offer.

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11. Which documents do I need from the seller to schedule an inspection with Homecheckberlin.de?

To conduct the most thorough inspection, having the right documents beforehand allows us to understand the property's history and identify potential areas of concern. While we can proceed with just the property address, we strongly recommend you request the following from the seller or real estate agent (Makler):

Essential for a basic inspection:

• The complete property address. This is the absolute minimum we need to schedule and perform the inspection.

Highly recommended for a deeper analysis:

• Floor Plans (Grundrisse): These help us verify room sizes and the overall layout.

• Energy Performance Certificate (Energieausweis): This provides crucial information on the building's energy efficiency and estimated heating costs.

• Building Plans/Blueprints (Baupläne): If available, these are invaluable for understanding the building's structure, plumbing, and electrical layouts.

• Protocols from the Homeowners' Association (Wohnungseigentümerversammlung Protokolle): For apartments, the last 2-3 years of meeting minutes can reveal ongoing discussions about major repairs (e.g., roof, facade, plumbing) and planned special assessments (Sonderumlage).

• Documentation of Recent Renovations: Receipts or reports for any recent work on the roof, windows, heating system, or balconies.

Don't worry if you cannot get all these documents. Our physical inspection is comprehensive and will identify visible and accessible issues regardless. However, these documents provide essential context and can help us focus on specific historical points. Once you book with us, we can provide further guidance on obtaining these from the seller.

 

Which languages are spoken during the on-site inspection?

Our standard on-site inspections are conducted in English, German, and Dutch. This ensures clear and direct communication between you and our inspector throughout the process.

If you require service in Spanish, please inform us in advance when booking your appointment. We will gladly arrange for a consultant who can assist you.

Many questions about property inspections relate to the buying process and what is realistically included in an inspection. If you are new to the topic, learning what a home inspector does helps clarify the inspector’s role and limitations. Understanding how our inspection works also explains what is checked during an on-site visit and how findings are documented. For buyers preparing for a purchase, reading about buying property in Berlin provides useful context, especially when deciding when an inspection is most valuable.