Unabhängige deutsche Bausachverständige · Baugutachter · Frankfurt

We find hidden defects before you buy.

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

We do not sell property. You get a technical read on the building and a repair figure for every finding, which is what turns a price you were quoted into a price you can argue with.

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 Frankfurt

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, water ingress, condensation traps, 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. You get values you can check rather than an impression.

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 I read the minutes of the Eigentümerversammlung. In Frankfurt's post-war stock the bill usually sits in the services and the risers, not in the walls.

British training, continental practice. Before ABC Experts I worked for boutique technical due-diligence firms across the DACH region, including office and residential portfolios in Rhein-Main, which is why every finding carries a number rather than an adjective. I never work 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 MattersFrankfurt is Germany's financial capital, and an expat property hotspot
Why It Matters

Frankfurt is Germany's financial capital, and an expat property hotspot

Over 51% of Frankfurt's population is international. Average prices in prime districts exceed €5,500/m². With so many banking and corporate expats buying property, an independent Baugutachten is your essential protection against hidden defects.

What Frankfurt buyers face

Frankfurt's property market spans elegant Gründerzeit apartments in Nordend and Bornheim to sleek high-rises in the Europaviertel and Westend. Altbau buildings hide Feuchtigkeit (moisture damage) and outdated electrics behind renovated facades. New developments in Gateway Gardens and the Europaviertel can have Baumängel (construction defects) masked by polished finishes.

If you don't speak German fluently, you're at a disadvantage in Frankfurt's competitive market. A Makler won't flag the Feuchtigkeit in the Keller. 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 Frankfurt the recurring figure is riser pipework and heating plant in reconstruction-era buildings.

Frankfurt's building stockFrankfurt is a city of post-war reconstruction.
Frankfurt's building stock

Frankfurt is a city of post-war reconstruction.

Frankfurt was among the most heavily destroyed German cities in the Second World War. A large share of its housing therefore dates from the reconstruction of the fifties and sixties, alongside the high-rise stock and a great deal of recent new build.

What the reconstruction years mean

Building was fast and used the materials of the period. Insulation standards, window junctions and services of these vintages are now routinely at the end of their service life.

Many of these buildings have since been partly refurbished. What matters is whether the work was thought through in building-physics terms or only touched the surface.

What we look at hardest in Frankfurt

In multi-unit buildings of this period, riser and distribution pipework is a typical cost block that runs through the owners' association.

International buyers frequently purchase under deadline and without being able to read the German paperwork. The Hessische Bauordnung applies.

Local questions

Questions specific to this location

What matters in Frankfurt post-war buildings?

Insulation standards, window junctions and building services. These vintages are routinely at the end of their service life, and the fact that something was refurbished says nothing about whether the work was thought through properly.

What are riser pipes and why do you ask about them?

They are the vertical supply and waste pipes running through the building. In multi-unit reconstruction-era buildings they are a typical large cost block, settled through the owners' association.

I live abroad and am buying in Frankfurt. Does that work?

Yes. Many of our clients are international. We review the documents first, inspect on site, and go through the findings by video or phone. The report comes in English or German.

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 and pipework leaks, frequently covered by a quick refurbishmentVery common€4,000-35,000
Roof and flat-roof waterproofing at end of lifeFine from the pavement; the invoice follows the next stormCommon€20,000-90,000
Windows past service lifeFrames, glazing seals, condensation and measured heat loss throughoutCommon€7,000-40,000
Heating or hot-water plant near replacementAge alone triggers it, and the GEG limits what may go in insteadCommon€12,000-45,000
Electrical installation not to current standardOld wiring, insufficient capacity, missing RCD protectionOccasional€5,000-25,000
Underfunded InstandhaltungsrücklageThe association has works coming; you pay your part 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 Frankfurt?

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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 Frankfurt?

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A Baugutachten is a comprehensive building inspection report. Frankfurt's property market attracts international buyers at premium prices, averaging over €5,500/m² in prime districts. 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 Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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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 Frankfurt 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?

+

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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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Yes. ABC Experts is a DESAG-certified Bausachverständige offering building inspections across Frankfurt am Main and the wider Rhein-Main region. All reports and consultations are delivered in English. We cover Westend, Nordend, Bornheim, Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Europaviertel, and all surrounding areas.

What areas of Frankfurt do you cover?

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We cover all of Frankfurt am Main and the wider Rhein-Main region, Westend, Nordend, Bornheim, Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Europaviertel, Gateway Gardens, Oberursel, Bad Homburg, Kronberg, and surrounding areas. If you're looking at property anywhere in the Frankfurt region, we can inspect it.

Can you help with corporate relocation property purchases?

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Yes. Many of our Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and the Rhein-Main region.

Technical

Can you inspect high-rise apartments and penthouses in Frankfurt?

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Yes, Frankfurt's skyline is unique in Germany. We inspect high-rise 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.

What exactly is checked in a pre-purchase inspection?

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Twelve areas: plumbing, heating and ventilation, electrical systems, insulation and energy, windows and doors, moisture and damp, roof and attic, façade and exterior, foundation and structure, walls and cracks, Wohnfläche and layout, 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? Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt dates and a fixed price.
No payment until the date is confirmed · no obligation · we answer most enquiries within 2 hours.
Architectural view of Frankfurt, drawn plate
Frankfurt
Inspections on scheduled dates · travel included
Where we inspectFrankfurt city, Westend, Nordend, Bornheim, Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Ostend, Riedberg · and the wider Rhein-Main region, Offenbach, Bad Homburg, Königstein, Kronberg, Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt. Elsewhere in Germany on request.
Questions?
WhatsAppFastest reply Emailkontakt@abcexperts.de Request a dateForm, one working day
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