We find hidden defects before you buy.

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, inspection costs are typically tax-deductible as Werbungskosten.

Absolutely. Our report documents every defect with photos, estimated repair costs, and technical assessments. In Köln, moisture-related repairs alone can run into tens of thousands of euros, evidence of these issues gives you serious negotiating leverage.

A Bauabnahme is the formal handover of a new-build from the developer. Once you sign the Abnahmeprotokoll, defects become your problem. Deutz developments are built on historic neighborhood, foundation and waterproofing quality is critical. We attend the handover, document every defect in English, and ensure nothing is signed off until properly fixed.

Yes. We provide Verkehrswertgutachten (market value assessments) for divorce settlements, dividing an inheritance and co-ownership buyouts, by agreement between the parties. These are independent valuations for your own decisions and negotiations. Valuations the Finanzamt must formally accept under §198 BewG require the Gutachterausschuss, a publicly appointed (ö.b.u.v.) expert or an ISO 17024 certified valuer, so we refer those on.

We reply within one working day with the next available Cologne 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.

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.

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.

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

Yes. ABC Experts is a DESAG-certified Bausachverständige offering building inspections across Köln. All reports are in English. We cover Ehrenfeld, Südstadt, Nippes, Deutz, Lindenthal, Belgisches Viertel, and all surrounding districts.

We cover all of Köln, Ehrenfeld, Südstadt, Nippes, Deutz, Lindenthal, Belgisches Viertel, Sülz, Mülheim, Waffenplatz, Kalk, and the wider metropolitan area. If you're looking at property anywhere in the Köln region, we can inspect it.

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

Yes. Köln's residential climate, proximity to the Rhine, and high water table mean moisture problems are significantly more common than in inland cities. Rising damp, condensation, salt-air facade damage, and basement waterproofing failures are issues we see regularly. Thermal imaging and calibrated moisture meters are essential for any Köln property purchase.

Yes. We regularly inspect properties along the Aachener Straße, in Nippes, and across Köln's altbau. These inspections include moisture and cellar assessment, drainage systems, foundation integrity near the water table, and the impact of residential climate on building fabric. Quoted individually based on property size.

Twelve areas: foundation and structure, roof and attic, moisture and damp, electrical systems, plumbing, windows and doors, insulation and energy, walls and cracks, heating and ventilation, Wohnfläche and layout, 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.