Our inspection | Homecheckberlin

What We Inspect: Home Inspection Checklist in Berlin

Our home inspection checklist in Berlin explains exactly what we inspect and how we report findings—ideal for international buyers who want a clear, unbiased view before purchase.

Professional inspection is a systematic process that provides a clear assessment of a property's condition. We leave no stone unturned, evaluating every critical aspect to give you a complete understanding of your investment.

Our meticulous inspection process covers all key areas of the property:

1. Property Context & Documentation Review

We begin by establishing the property's background and verifying its legal and administrative standing.

Review of key property characteristics and location-specific factors.
Audit of essential documents for validity and completeness.

2. Structural Integrity & Exterior Condition

We conduct a thorough assessment of the building's envelope, foundation, and external features.

Inspection of exterior walls, cladding, and render.
Evaluation of roof type, materials, and overall condition.
Assessment of foundation, basement, and crawl spaces.
Review of outbuildings, drainage, grading, and retaining walls.
Check of terraces, balconies porches, stairs, pathways, and driveways.

3. Critical Systems: Heating, Plumbing & Electrical

We examine the core systems that are vital to the property's functionality, safety, and efficiency.

Comprehensive inspection of all heating systems and energy sources.
Evaluation of plumbing systems, including water supply and waste lines.
Testing and assessment of the complete electrical system.
Verification of ventilation systems and indoor air quality management.

4. Interior Finishes, Windows & Insulation

We evaluate the components that impact daily comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term maintenance.

Inspection of all doors and windows for materials, operation, and sealing.
Assessment of interior surfaces, including floors, walls, and ceilings.
Evaluation of insulation and vapor barriers in attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
Inspect the stairs, railings, and balusters for safety and condition.

5. Kitchen, Appliances & Additional Structures

We provide a detailed account of installed fixtures, appliances, and ancillary structures.

Inspection of kitchen cabinetry, countertops, and built-in appliances.
Assessment of garbage disposal systems and relevant property regulations.
Evaluation of garages and other auxiliary structures.

6. Tailored Recommendations for Your Property
We go beyond the inspection with actionable advice for your future. We provide tailored recommendations on:

Energy-Saving Upgrades: Practical investments to improve efficiency.
Renovation Priorities: helping you plan and budget effectively.
Long-Term Maintenance: Guidance to protect your investment and prevent future issues.

Our detailed reports provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions, ensuring no critical aspect of the property is overlooked.

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Home inspection checklist:

Our home inspection checklist is designed to give international buyers a clear, practical understanding of a property’s condition before purchase. During the on-site inspection in Berlin (and surrounding Brandenburg), we check the most important visible and accessible areas and focus on issues that can affect safety, renovation scope, and overall cost.

Our checklist typically covers:

Structure & building fabric: walls, ceilings, floors, visible cracks, signs of movement
Moisture & water risks: damp spots, mould indicators, bathroom/kitchen/cellar risk areas
Windows & doors: function, sealing, drafts, visible thermal weak points
Heating & hot water: system type, visible condition, red flags, basic operation checks (where possible)
Plumbing (visible): leaks, pressure/flow clues, visible pipe condition
Electrical (visible): distribution board/visible wiring issues, safety red flags (non-invasive)
Interior finishes: workmanship quality, hidden renovation shortcuts, damage patterns
Ventilation & indoor air: airflow clues and moisture-related risks
Safety and usability: immediate risks that should be addressed quickly

After the visit, you receive a clear summary with priorities: what is urgent, what is recommended, and what can likely wait—so you can plan next steps and negotiate with confidence.

Property context & document review

A good inspection starts with understanding the property on paper. Before (or alongside) the on-site visit, we review the available information to spot inconsistencies, missing details, and potential risk areas—especially important for international buyers navigating German listings and documents.

What we typically review (when provided):

Listing details and basic property facts (year built, size, floor, renovation history)
Floor plans and area information
Renovation or modernisation notes (what was done, when, and how well it matches what we see)
Photos and disclosures from the seller/agent (to guide what we focus on during the visit)

Structural integrity & exterior condition

The goal of this part of the inspection is to identify visible signs that the building’s structure or exterior elements may require repair, further specialist checks, or careful budgeting. We focus on what can be assessed visually and non-invasively during the on-site visit.

What we typically check:

Walls, ceilings, and floors: visible cracks, uneven surfaces, deflection, and stress marks
Load-bearing clues: changes in wall lines, unusual repairs, and visible movement indicators
Facade and exterior elements (where accessible/visible): damage patterns, weathering, and potential water entry points
Balconies, railings, and external attachments: visible wear, corrosion, and safety concerns
Roof and top-floor risk signals (when visible): moisture patterns, stains, and ventilation clues
Cellar/basement indicators (if accessible): damp areas, salt deposits, and typical moisture risk zones

Heating, plumbing & electrical systems

In Berlin, building services can vary a lot between Altbau apartments, post-war buildings, and newer developments—from gas floor-by-floor heating (Etagenheizung) to central heating and district heating (Fernwärme). Because upgrades in these systems can be expensive (and sometimes funding-relevant), we check what we can visually and non-invasively during the visit and highlight where you may want a specialist follow-up.

We identify the type of heating/hot water system and check for practical red flags that matter for buyers in Berlin:

System type and setup (e.g., district heating interface, central boiler room access where available, or individual units)
Visible condition: corrosion, leaks, unusual noise/vibration indicators
Maintenance clues (labels, service notes, accessible components)
Signs of poor installation or ventilation/air supply issues (where visible)

Interior finishes, windows & insulation

Interior details often reveal how well a property has been maintained—or whether renovations were done quickly and cheaply. In Berlin, this is especially relevant in Altbau apartments and older buildings where layers of past renovations can hide defects. We focus on visible signs that affect comfort, running costs, and future renovation effort.

Interior finishes (quality & red flags)

We review visible workmanship and condition, including:

Uneven floors, damaged plaster, recurring crack patterns, and poorly repaired areas
Signs of moisture behind finishes (stains, bubbling paint, mould indicators)
Bathroom and kitchen surfaces (typical leak and mould risk zones)
Evidence of “renovation shortcuts” that may create future repair costs

Windows & doors (comfort and energy loss)

We check:

Function and sealing (closing, drafts, warped frames)
Condensation patterns and moisture risk around frames
Visible gaps, damaged seals, and hardware condition
Practical comfort issues that often show up during viewings

Insulation clues (what you can infer on-site)

We can’t see inside walls, but we can identify practical indicators that help you understand likely performance:

Window type and condition (single vs newer glazing)
Typical weak points around exterior walls, roof/top-floor areas, and junctions
Drafts and cold-spot patterns (when noticeable)
Signs that upgrades may be worth budgeting for

Kitchen, appliances & additional structures

This part of the inspection focuses on practical, high-wear areas and any extra spaces that often hide costly surprises. In Berlin properties, kitchens and wet areas can show early signs of plumbing issues, while cellars, balconies, storage rooms, or attics may reveal moisture, safety, or maintenance risks.

Kitchen & built-in elements

We check what’s visible and accessible, including:

Condition of cabinets, worktops, joints, and seals (especially around sinks)
Visible water damage under the sink and at connections
Ventilation clues and moisture risk signs near cooking areas
Workmanship quality of recent renovations (common “quick-fix” red flags)

Appliances (where included and accessible)

If appliances are part of the sale and can be checked during the visit, we note:

Visible condition and installation quality
Safety and usability concerns (e.g., damaged connections, poor fitting)
Obvious red flags that may require clarification before purchase
(We do not perform invasive testing or dismantling.)

Additional structures & spaces

Where accessible, we also inspect related areas that can affect future costs and comfort:

Balcony / loggia: visible wear, drainage clues, safety concerns
Cellar / basement storage: damp indicators, ventilation, water ingress clues
Attic / roof-adjacent spaces: moisture patterns and maintenance signals (if accessible)
Common areas: stairwells, building entrance, and shared technical spaces for visible maintenance red flags

What you get: a practical summary of condition, any visible defects, and which items should be clarified with the seller/agent before you commit.

Our services include a professional property inspection in Berlin for buyers, sellers, and investors who want clarity before making decisions. You can learn more about how our inspection works and what is included in each step, or book a home inspection in Berlin directly when you are ready to proceed.