When Something's Wrong
A technical problem in a home rarely goes away on its own. Without a correct diagnosis, each repair could be money wasted.
An independent engineer-inspector identifies the root cause, not just the visible symptom. The report tells you exactly what's happening, why, and how much it will cost to fix.
What are you seeing?
Identify your situation
You're seeing damp or mould
Stains on walls or ceiling, musty smell, bubbling paint, wet window sills
Moisture InspectionThere are cracks or structural movement
Diagonal cracks at window corners, sticking doors, creaking or sinking floor
Structural & SeismicYou don't know what's causing the problem
Something's not right but you can't pinpoint what. You need an independent diagnosis.
Technical DiagnosisThe cost of waiting
A small problem ignored grows very quickly
Real example: undiagnosed water infiltration. Structural damage escalates exponentially with time.
Month 1
~€300
Stain on ceiling: localised damp. Simple, quick repair.
Month 3
~€900
Mould spreading. Paint peeling. Intervention now more complex.
Month 6
~€3.500
Plaster falling, electrical risk. Structural repair of affected area required.
Year 2
€15.000+
Structural damage. Roof, beam or slab replacement required.
With diagnosis in Month 1: the root cause is identified, the correct repair is carried out once, and the escalation is stopped. The InspectOS report tells you exactly what needs to be done, so you can brief the right professional with confidence.
5 anos
will be the longest window to act over a nullity, from 1 October 2026 (DL 108/2026)
2–4×
more expensive to repair a structural problem late than early
48h
to have your report with root cause and defect classification
Why a tradesperson isn't enough
Symptom vs root cause: the difference that matters
Without independent inspector
Hire plumber → fix visible pipe → damp continues
Hire painter → paint over the mould → mould returns in 2 weeks
Hire electrician → change breaker → breaker trips again
Result: pay 3 times for the same problem
With independent InspectOS inspector
Technical diagnosis → root cause identified precisely
Report with photographic evidence and regulatory references
Technical diagnosis with identified root cause and prioritised action list
Correct diagnosis, informed decision, first time
Available services
Diagnosis and problem resolution
Technical Inspection & Diagnosis
Comprehensive assessment when the problem is unidentified. Report with root cause and prioritised defect list.
Learn moreTechnical Inspection & Diagnosis is a comprehensive assessment for unidentified problems. If you already know you are buying the property, see the Pre-Purchase Inspection.
What you need to know before booking
- If you can't identify the source of the problem, start with the Technical Inspection & Diagnosis. The inspector carries out a comprehensive assessment of all systems and structure, identifies the root cause and outlines the technical findings and priorities. It's also the most cost-effective starting point when the problem could have multiple origins.
- A plumber or electrician will likely fix the symptom they can see, not necessarily the root cause. If there's damp, for instance, it could be roof infiltration, condensation, rising damp or a burst pipe. Each cause has a different solution. An independent engineer-inspector makes the correct diagnosis before any repair decision is made, preventing you from paying multiple times for the wrong fix.
- Yes. InspectOS reports are prepared by engineers registered with the Ordem dos Engenheiros and include root cause identification, photographic evidence and defect classification by severity. It is the kind of documentation that usually accompanies a claim. Confirm the specific requirements with your insurer before booking.
- Around 70% of residential buildings in Portugal were built before 1990, many before the adoption of European seismic standards (Eurocode 8). Electrical installations in many pre-2000 buildings fall short of current RTIEBT requirements. Accumulated degradation, combined with the absence of regular maintenance, means technical problems in older homes are very common, but often detectable before they become emergencies.
A technical diagnosis today can prevent an emergency repair tomorrow.
Report in 48h with root cause, photographic evidence and severity classification.