Unabhängige deutsche Bausachverständige · Baugutachter · Berlin

We find hidden defects before you buy.

Don’t buy blind. Independent technical inspections for property buyers in Berlin, saving you unnecessary hidden costs of up to €100,000.

We do not sell property. We give you the technical insight to make calculated decisions, negotiate the price, and understand exactly what you are buying.

English · German · reports in either
01We check your documents
02On site: the 12-point inspection
03Your report & findings, within 24 hours
Alice Carpenter, Bausachverständige
Full Gutachten
What’s included
  • On-site visitAlice inspects in person
  • Thermal camera + damp meterEvery reading measured
  • Written report in 24hEnglish or German
  • Photos of every findingRated traffic-light style
  • Repair cost estimatesPer defect, in euros
  • Document checkMinutes, reserves, Energieausweis

Remember, purchasing property is one of the largest investments we make in our lifetime, let’s do it right!

See our full services below ↓
Alice CarpenterAlice CarpenterIndependent certified BausachverständigeDESAG B/250907
Alice Carpenter, Bausachverständige, on site
Inspecting and representing clients in private and commercial matters, since 2015.
Building Inspections in Berlin

Our services and costs

We also offer valuation (Verkehrswertgutachten) and other services · all our prices are fixed, with no surprises at the end · thermal camera included in every service · all services & prices →
What the report covers
01

Foundation & Structure

Load-bearing walls, settlement cracks, structural integrity.

02

Roof & Attic

Tiles, flashing, insulation, timber condition.

03

Moisture & Damp

Rising damp, condensation, water ingress, measured, not guessed.

04

Electrical Systems

Wiring age, safety standards, capacity.

05

Plumbing

Pipe condition, drainage, water pressure.

06

Windows & Doors

Seals, frames, thermal performance.

07

Insulation & Energy

Thermal bridges, U-values, Energieausweis plausibility.

08

Walls & Cracks

Structural versus cosmetic, and which is which.

09

Heating & Ventilation

Boiler age, radiators, air exchange.

10

Wohnfläche & Layout

Independent floor-area measurement and verification.

11

Exterior & Façade

Render, balconies, drainage, boundary structures.

12

Mould & Air Quality

Visible mould, humidity levels, ventilation adequacy.

+ Document check included in the full Baugutachten (add-on for the Red Flag Check): Teilungserklärung, minutes of the Eigentümerversammlung, Wirtschaftsplan, Energieausweis
Every finding photographed, rated traffic-light style, and costed, plus a review of the sale documents and minutes. Enquire for more info.
The instruments

Measured, not guessed.

Every finding is backed by a reading: surface moisture, infrared temperature, humidity, build-up. If an Altbau wall is damp, you will know how damp, how far it goes, and what putting it right costs.

Capacitive moisture mapping · infrared thermometry · thermal imaging included · endoscope inspection

Infrared thermometer: surface temperature, on site
Infrared thermometer: surface temperature, on site
Thermal imaging: cold wall corners, a classic mould risk
Thermal imaging: cold wall corners, a classic mould risk
Moisture meter: damp measured, not guessed
Moisture meter: damp measured, not guessed
Digital spirit level: floors and walls in degrees
Digital spirit level: floors and walls in degrees
Thermal imaging: heat loss around doors and frames
Thermal imaging: heat loss around doors and frames
Thermal imaging: radiators and heating checked
Thermal imaging: radiators and heating checked
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Meet Alice
Alice Carpenter at the helm of a sailing yacht
Alice Carpenter, Bausachverständige, DESAG B/250907
Alice Carpenter, Baugutachterin, portrait
Representing private and corporate clients

I don’t do nice reports. I do honest ones.

I’m Alice Carpenter, Baugutachterin and Building Surveyor with an RICS-accredited BSc. I arrive with a thermal camera and moisture meters, I go into the cellar, I get onto the roof, and for apartments I read the minutes of the Eigentümerversammlung. In a Berlin Altbau the expensive thing is rarely the crack you can see: it is the ceiling above it and the paperwork beside it.

British training, Berlin practice. Before ABC Experts I worked for boutique technical due-diligence firms across the DACH region, mostly on existing stock, which is why every finding carries a number rather than an adjective. I work only for buyers and owners, never for the seller.

DESAG-geprüfte Baugutachterin, Schäden an Gebäuden & Wertermittlung
RICS-accredited BSc (Hons) Building Surveying, London, UK
Inspecting and representing clients in private and commercial matters since 2015
Fluent in German and English (British born)
Alice Carpenter
DESAG-certified Bausachverständige, B/250907
BSG e.V. certified, DE-B-18092507
BSc (Hons) Building Surveying
Berlin since 2015, works only for buyers
More about Alice →
What clients say
5.0on Google
★★★★★
Every review public & verifiable
“I contacted Alice for a review of an apartment and I was impressed with both the results and the attitude! Easy, friendly, professional, and with attention to detail!”
Kostas T. · Google
“Alice completely won me over throughout the entire building survey process. Exceptionally friendly, patient, and highly professional. I had many questions and uncertainties, Alice truly put me at ease.”
Barış Ş. · Google
“We contacted Alice for a survey before putting down an offer to buy an apartment, and she was fantastic. She checked everything, did a water damage check with specialized gear, read through the building's meeting minutes and documents. The report was meticulous and detailed, delivered within 24 hours. We highly recommend booking her!”
Peyee C. · Google
“Alice was extremely professional and thorough with her red flag assessment. She helped us become more knowledgeable and feel empowered to make sensible decisions before buying property.”
Kia Widlo · Google
“Super reliable, best service.”
Farah Gamal · Google
Read all reviews on Google ↗
DESAG B/250907 · Verify RICS-accredited BSc · London Practising since 2015 Fully insured 100+ inspections 5.0 · Google Reviews
Independently certified
DESAG, Deutsche Sachverständigen Gesellschaft

DESAG Certified

Deutsche Sachverständigen Gesellschaft. Entered in the expert registers; professional ID as a tested and recognised expert.

Verify certificate →
DESAG Sachverständiger Stempel, Alice Carpenter, B/250907

DESAG Expert Seal

Personal certification seal B/250907. Valid through 09/2027.

BSG e.V. Sachverständiger, Alice Carpenter, DE-B-18092507

BSG Expert Seal

Berufsfachverband für das Sachverständigen- und Gutachterwesen e.V., DE-B-18092507.

Why It MattersBerlin is Germany's capital, and a dynamic expat property market
Why It Matters

Berlin is Germany's capital, and a dynamic expat property market

Berlin attracts international professionals, creatives, and investors. Property prices range from €4,000-€7,000/m² in prime districts like Charlottenburg and Mitte. With rapid market growth and many historical buildings, an independent Baugutachten is your essential protection against hidden defects.

What Berlin buyers face

Berlin's property market spans historic Gründerzeit apartments in Prenzlauer Berg and Charlottenburg to converted industrial lofts in Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Altbau buildings hide Feuchtigkeit (moisture damage) and outdated electrics behind renovated facades. New developments can have Baumängel (construction defects) masked by polished finishes.

If you don't speak German fluently, you're at a disadvantage in Berlin's competitive market. A Makler won't flag structural issues or heating system failures. We will, fluent in both German and English, we deal with sellers, developers, and Hausverwaltungen in German, then give you the full picture in plain English so you can negotiate from a position of strength.

What we do differently

We don't just write a Gutachten and disappear. We support you through the entire Immobilienkauf (property purchase), helping you navigate the Notar appointment, understand your rights under German Baurecht (building law), and identify Sanierungskosten the seller should cover.

Clients have used our findings as costed, documented evidence when renegotiating. In Berlin, the figure that moves a price is often the special levy already voted through in the owners' minutes.

Berlin's building stockBerlin is an Altbau city, and that decides what matters.
Berlin's building stock

Berlin is an Altbau city, and that decides what matters.

A very large share of Berlin's housing dates from the Gründerzeit before 1918, alongside post-war blocks and, in the east, Plattenbau. Each era has its own weak point, and it is rarely where a layperson looks.

What the era means for an inspection

Gründerzeit buildings have timber joist floors. That is not a defect in itself, but the bearings in the external walls, bathrooms fitted later and subsequent openings are where it gets expensive.

Many Altbau buildings have no continuous damp-proof course. Rising damp at the base and in the Souterrain is common, and it is regularly painted over shortly before a viewing.

What we look at hardest in Berlin

Loft conversions are very common here. Structure, thermal performance, sound insulation to the flat below, and whether the conversion was ever approved.

In Milieuschutz areas not every modernisation is permitted. What you plan after buying should be clear before you sign. The Bauordnung für Berlin applies.

Local questions

Questions specific to this location

Is a survey worth it for a Berlin Altbau flat?

In most cases yes. Berlin Altbau buildings have timber joist floors, often no continuous damp proof course, and bathrooms frequently fitted later. Those are exactly the points that stay invisible at a viewing and become expensive after purchase.

What does Milieuschutz mean for my purchase?

In Milieuschutz areas certain modernisations need approval or are not permitted. If you plan to alter the flat after buying, that should be clear beforehand. We flag in the report where your plans run into this question.

Do you inspect Plattenbau apartments?

Yes. The questions differ from Altbau: the condition of panel joints, balcony connections, pipework and the refurbishment position of the owners' association. The association paperwork matters particularly here.

What it costs if nobody looksWhat it costs if nobody looks
What it costs if nobody looks
DefectHow often we find itTypical repair
Moisture in walls or floor build-upFailed seals, old leaks, condensation traps, often behind new finishesVery common€4,000-35,000
Roof and flat-roof waterproofing at end of lifeLooks fine from the ground; the bill arrives with the next stormCommon€20,000-90,000
Windows past service lifeSeals, frames, condensation and heat loss across a whole flatCommon€7,000-40,000
Heating or hot-water plant near replacementAge alone decides this, and the GEG rules decide what may replace itCommon€12,000-45,000
Electrical installation not to current standardOld wiring, insufficient capacity, missing RCD protectionOccasional€5,000-25,000
Underfunded InstandhaltungsrücklageThe building’s works are coming; your share arrives as a SonderumlageVery common€8,000-80,000+
Structural movement or settlementRare, but the one finding that can end a purchaseRare€25,000-150,000+
Indicative German market ranges for the findings we see most often. Your report gives the numbers for your property, per defect, with photographs. A Viewing Check costs from €450. One avoided item on this list usually pays for it several times over.
Where else we inspect
Fair questions
Costs & Services

How much does a building inspection cost in Berlin?

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A Viewing Check starts from €450, a Red Flag Check with traffic-light dashboard report from €650, and a full Baugutachten from €850. All prices are final, VAT exempt per §19 UStG (Kleinunternehmerregelung). If you're buying as an investment to rent out, inspection costs are typically tax-deductible as Werbungskosten.

What is a Baugutachten and do I need one in Berlin?

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A Baugutachten is a comprehensive building inspection report. Berlin's property market attracts international buyers, with prices ranging from €4,000-€7,000/m² depending on district. A Baugutachten helps you understand exactly what you're buying, identify hidden defects, and gives you hard evidence to negotiate the Kaufpreis down. Clients have used our findings to renegotiate five-figure sums.

Can I use a Baugutachten to negotiate the purchase price?

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Absolutely. In Berlin, where prices are high and competition is fierce, our report documents every defect with photos, estimated repair costs, and technical assessments. We also support you through the negotiation, helping you push back on the seller, know your rights, and identify cost reductions.

What is a Bauabnahme and do I need one for a new-build in Berlin?

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A Bauabnahme is the formal handover inspection of a new-build property. It's the moment you accept the building from the developer, and the moment defects become your problem. Once you sign the Abnahmeprotokoll, your 5-year Gewährleistung (warranty) clock starts. We attend the handover with you, document every defect in English, and make sure nothing gets signed off until it's properly fixed.

Booking & Process

How quickly can you inspect, and when do I get the report?

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We reply within 2 hours with the next available Berlin dates. After the inspection, your written report arrives within 24 hours, photos, ratings and repair costs included. If your offer deadline is tight, say so; we can often accommodate it.

Can I join the inspection?

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Yes, and we encourage it. Walking the property together is worth half the report: you see every finding in place and can ask anything on the spot. If you cannot attend, we call you afterwards and walk you through the findings one by one.

What documents should I send before the inspection?

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Ideally: the listing, floor plans, minutes of the Eigentümerversammlung from the last three years, the Instandhaltungsrücklage statement, the Energieausweis, and any past damage or repair reports. Do not worry if you have only part of this, we will tell you exactly what is missing and why it matters.

How do I book?

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Send the listing or address through the form below or by WhatsApp. Within 2 hours you receive the next available Berlin dates and a fixed price. No obligation, and no payment until the date is confirmed.

Coverage & Travel

Can I get an English-speaking Bausachverständiger in Berlin?

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Yes. ABC Experts is a DESAG-certified Bausachverständige offering building inspections across all of Berlin. All reports and consultations are delivered in English. We cover Mitte, Charlottenburg, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, Tempelhof, and all surrounding areas.

What areas of Berlin do you cover?

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We cover all of Berlin including Mitte, Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln, Tempelhof, Spandau, Lichtenberg, and all surrounding districts. If you're looking at property anywhere in Berlin, we can inspect it.

Can you help with corporate relocation property purchases?

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Yes. Many of our Berlin clients are banking and corporate professionals on relocation packages. We help you navigate the German property purchase process under time pressure, reviewing documents in German, inspecting properties thoroughly, and delivering everything in English so you can make informed decisions quickly.

I own property in Berlin but live abroad, can you manage it for me?

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Yes. We offer estate management for international owners, annual property inspections, maintenance oversight, contractor coordination, and CapEx planning, all reported in English. Think of us as your trusted, independent eyes on the ground in Berlin.

Technical

Can you inspect apartments and heritage buildings in Berlin?

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Yes. We inspect modern apartments and historic Altbau units covering HVAC systems, facade integrity, communal infrastructure, lift access, and building management quality. We also review WEG documents and Teilungserklärung to ensure you understand ongoing costs and planned renovations.

What exactly is checked in a pre-purchase inspection?

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Twelve areas: moisture and damp, walls and cracks, roof and attic, plumbing, electrical systems, Wohnfläche and layout, foundation and structure, windows and doors, heating and ventilation, insulation and energy, façade and exterior, and mould and air quality. Every finding is photographed, rated traffic-light style and given a repair cost estimate, plus a review of the sale documents and the Eigentümerversammlung minutes.

Request an inspection date
Viewing this weekend? Berlin purchases move quickly. Tell us your offer deadline when you enquire, where a date can be added, we add it, and we tell you honestly when it cannot.

Tell us about the property.

Reply within 2 hours · no obligation · or WhatsApp Alice directly
Thank you, your request is in. We reply within 2 hours with available Berlin dates and a fixed price.
No payment until the date is confirmed · no obligation · we answer most enquiries within 2 hours.
Architectural view of Berlin, drawn plate
Berlin
Inspections on scheduled dates · travel included
Switzerland
Where we inspectBerlin city, Mitte, Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln, Schöneberg, Tempelhof, Steglitz, Lichtenberg, Spandau · Grunewald, Dahlem and Zehlendorf · and Brandenburg, Potsdam, Kleinmachnow, Falkensee. Elsewhere in Germany on request.
Questions?
WhatsAppFastest reply Emailkontakt@abcexperts.de Request a dateForm, one working day
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