Tony Wythe
New Zealand House Surveys - Taranaki
Contact
Tony Wythe
New Zealand House Surveys - Taranaki
Background Information:
I have travelled to various areas of the world and experienced several versions of construction during my time, from mud brick huts to palaces built with marble. My interest in housing construction began as a “brickie” in the late Seventies, and what could be achieved by using different bonding techniques for differing weights/strengths required. This then led to studying and qualifying in the mechanical and structural engineering industry, over several disciplines.
While here in New Plymouth (over 20 yrs), I have been involved with various structural projects, including Puke Ariki Museum/Rugby Park grandstand, and also a lot of personal renovations/builds domestically, from 1890s buildings to modern day.
My interests now lay with building failures, as most people know someone with a defective building, one way or another.
I am a licenced thermography practitioner, using the latest equipment, and I have also studied micro waves so I can use deep scan moisture detection methods. I will always be up to date with the latest issues facing the home buyer, by utilising our inhouse resource’s and the institutes resource’s together, which alert us all in the group to keep an eye out for potential catastrophic failures and materials entering the market which do not perform. Both Dianne and myself are also trained and qualified to check for asbestos and create management plans to suit each building/client.
My partner Dianne, is also well-travelled having lived in the Pacific Islands for over ten years, in very harsh environments, from blazing heat to tropical storms/cyclones and noting, what damage can be done in a very short time, should the buildings not be up to scratch structurally. She has built 2 new homes from the plans up and refurbished 3 homes, which she striped out completely and restored. She is very knowledgeable and confident in the building inspection industry and supports me fully both in the office and on site.
Services offered
Pre-purchase Inspection:
- Our company sends 2 inspectors to site – for the following reasons:
- 4 eyes are better than 2
- Increased accuracy in identifying leaks in timber sub floors
- Our privacy and protection
- Occupational safety and health
- Typical inspections take 4 – 5 man hours ensuring that no stone is left unturned.
- The subfloor inspection covers: ground condition, services (plumbing & electrical), ventilation to the subfloor, piles, bearers, joists, flooring, insulation, pile connections, etc.
- Internal inspection covers level of the floor, testing of electrical hot points for reverse polarity and faulty earths, full moisture check using non-invasive dielectric moisture machine (around external windows and doors – and showers / wet areas), testing of heaters, range hood, waste disposers, etc.; checking of fixtures, doors, windows, hardware, taps, vanities, toilets, hot water cylinders, borer, etc. (note we do not test dishwashers due to long wash cycles)
- Roof space includes, insulation, presence of vermin, checking the underside of roof for leaks, services (plumbing & electrical), testing any DVS / ventilation systems, ensure ventilation from bathrooms and range hoods are ducted externally, etc.
- Roof includes, general condition of roof, fixings, gutters (including internal gutters), chimneys, flues, valleys, etc.
- Exterior inspection includes checking cladding/s, soffits, fascia and barge boards, windows, flashings, gulley traps, hose taps, decking, stairs / steps, downpipes, etc.
- Lastly we check and report on the general condition of services, fencing, clothesline, any outbuildings and accessory sheds, etc
- Invasive moisture testing available on request.
No short cuts are taken and we pride ourselves in being very thorough in our inspections.
Our inspections are then converted into one of three reports:
Bronze report: approximately 10 – 15 % of our clients opt for this type of report
- Summary of property information
- Detailed list of defects
- Photographic evidence and reporting
- Inspection certificate covering the inspection to NZS 4306 standards.
Silver report: approximately 70 % of our clients choose this option
- More in depth comprehensive reporting
- More photographic reporting
- Includes council records and search of permit and building consent information
- Comparison of what council records show versus what we physically verify onsite (1 in 5 houses have illegal work undertaken and this can come back to bite you later on)
- Inspection certificate covering the inspection to NZS 4306 standards
Gold report: approximately 20% of our clients opt for this type
- More in depth comprehensive reporting
- More photographic reporting
- Includes council records and search of permit and building consent information
- Comparison of what council records show versus what we physically verify onsite (1 in 5 houses have illegal work undertaken and this can come back to bite you later on)
- Inspection certificate covering the inspection to NZS 4306 standards.
- Includes additional price estimates for reinstating faulty work, and rectifying damaged / worn items.
Optional Methamphetamine Testing:
- 10 rooms swabbed separately guided by NZS 8510:2017.
- Swab samples are combined at an IANZ accredited laboratory for a composite analysis.
- Results will take 2 – 3 working days to be returned from the laboratory.
Asbestos Survey:
Our Asbestos Surveys follow the guidelines set by WorkSafe and include:
- Thorough inspection typically 30 – 45 minutes onsite
- Inspection of the exterior and interior of the dwelling
- ACM’s (Asbestos containing materials) identified and recorded in a register. This includes the material’s condition, location, and size
A Management Plan is included, providing recommendations on remedial work and monitoring