Article · Property deals
Technical building audit before buying or selling
Buying a commercial property without checking the structures means buying hidden risks. We explain what a technical audit before a deal gives you and how it affects the price.
An outwardly attractive building can hide cracks in load-bearing walls, worn structures, and the consequences of redevelopments and unauthorised changes. A technical audit (due diligence) before purchase reveals the property's real condition and turns hidden risks into clear figures — before the money changes hands.
Why an audit before a deal is needed
- for the buyer — to understand the real condition and not overpay for hidden defects;
- for the seller — to confirm the property's condition and justify the price;
- for the investor and developer — to estimate the cost of repair or reconstruction;
- for the bank — when lending against real-estate collateral;
- to plan a future redevelopment, reconstruction or change of use.
What technical due diligence checks
Load-bearing structures. Foundations, columns, walls, floor slabs: cracks, deformations, material strength.
Compliance with documents. Comparison with the technical passport, identifying unauthorised redevelopments and re-equipment.
Signs of past incidents. Traces of fire, flooding, emergency repairs.
Seismic resistance. Especially important for Almaty and the south of Kazakhstan.
Approximate scope of works. And the cost of eliminating the defects found.
A technical audit is not a market valuation but an engineering assessment of condition. Yet it is exactly what gives the buyer arguments to negotiate and the seller proof that the property is sound.
What the buyer and seller get
On completion of the audit, the client receives a technical report with an objective picture of the property:
- the technical-condition category of the load-bearing structures;
- a list of identified defects with photo evidence and a danger assessment;
- risks and restrictions on further use (redevelopment, floor addition, loading);
- recommendations and an approximate scope of remedial works.
How it affects the price and negotiations
Defects found are a direct argument in negotiations: the buyer can justifiably reduce the price by the cost of restoration, while a seller with a “clean” report protects the price. The audit also shows in advance whether a planned redevelopment, floor addition or reconstruction is feasible. KAZNICEP LLP inspects commercial properties across Almaty and Kazakhstan — see the inspection service and completed properties.
Frequently asked questions
What is a technical building audit before purchase?
It is a technical inspection of a property (due diligence) before a deal: assessment of the condition of load-bearing structures, identification of hidden defects and unauthorised redevelopments, a check of seismic resistance and the approximate scope of repairs. The result is a report with an objective picture that is relied on in negotiations and risk assessment.
How is a condition audit different from a market valuation?
A valuer determines the market value, while a technical audit determines the actual engineering condition of the structures and the risks. These are different documents: a condition report provides grounds for negotiation and for decisions on repair, reconstruction or redevelopment.
Can the audit show whether a redevelopment or floor addition is feasible?
Yes. The inspection assesses the load-bearing capacity and the margin of the structures, so it shows whether planned changes — redevelopment, merging premises, adding a floor — are admissible and what strengthening would be required.
How much does an audit before a deal cost and how long does it take?
The cost is from 200,000 KZT and the timeline is 1 to 6 weeks depending on the floor area, number of storeys and the volume of instrumental work. An exact price is given after clarifying the task for the property.
Technical
inspection of buildings
We will check the real condition of the property before a deal — hidden defects, risks and scope of works.