NEN 2767 inspection: how the condition assessment works on site

A NEN 2767 inspection is the condition assessment itself. An inspector walks through the building or infrastructure and assesses each component on the element list. They record the defects with photos and measurements and give a condition score per element. The result goes into the report and forms the basis of the multi-year maintenance plan.

The standard describes the method. The inspection requirements and the scores themselves are on nen.nl . For what the inspector assesses in detail, read defects. For what an element list looks like, read the page about it.

The inspector does not measure the whole building in every detail. They work with the element list and the standard. What they cannot see, such as pipes behind a wall, they note as a point of attention in the report.

Preparation and file

Before the walkthrough, the inspector reads the file. It contains the element list, the floor plans and earlier reports, if these exist. With that information they know what is there and what has been found before.

The file determines how long the inspection takes. A building with complete drawings and a recent report is quicker to assess than a property where nobody knows what is inside the walls. If documents are missing, the inspection company spends more time on site, and you pay for that.

The walkthrough on site

During the walkthrough, the inspector goes through the building systematically. They go from outside to inside and from top to bottom, or the other way round. This way they miss no element on the list. They look, tap, measure and take photos where needed.

What they do depends on the element. They look at a façade both up close and from a distance, to see cracks and pointing. They open a distribution board if access allows. They inspect a roof from the roof itself, or with a camera if safety requires it.

A practical example: at the fictional office building Havenweg, the inspector first walks around the outside. Then they go to the installation room on the top floor, and only after that to the office rooms.

Defects, photos and measurements

The inspector records every defect they find. They describe the element, the location and what they see. They also note the severity, the intensity and the extent of the defect. Together, these three determine the condition score of the element.

Photos belong with every recorded defect. They show where the defect is and what it looks like. During a later measurement or repair, you can then see what has changed. Measurements are taken where a measurement is useful, such as the moisture in a wall or the thickness of a layer.

Missing photos or incomplete descriptions make a report hard to use. When you request a quote, ask explicitly for photos per defect, not just a summary.

Additional investigation

Sometimes the inspector sees something that cannot be assessed with the naked eye. In that case they advise additional investigation. Examples are a closer measurement of the foundations, a camera inspection of sewers, or an investigation into asbestos.

This investigation usually falls outside the standard inspection. The inspection company gives separate advice and often a separate quote. Ask in advance which investigations are likely to be needed, so you can plan for them.

What you need to arrange

The inspection only runs smoothly if you have the right people and documents ready. As the client, you arrange the following:

Topic	What you arrange	Why
Access	Keys, codes and a contact person per floor	Without access, rooms cannot be assessed
Floor plans	Current drawings, or the latest architectural plans	So the inspector can find the elements
Earlier reports	Previous condition assessments and maintenance reports	You can only compare scores with an earlier measurement
Installation diagrams	The current diagrams for electrics and heating	For the measurements on the installations
Manager	Someone who answers questions during the walkthrough	Saves a lot of searching time

Make sure the contact person is available all day. An inspector who has to wait for a key loses that time in the schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a NEN 2767 inspection take?

The duration depends on the size of the building, the number of elements and the state of the file. Ask the inspection company for a schedule based on your property. The costs and timeline page explains how the schedule fits into the overall approach.

Do I need to be present during the inspection?

It is not required, but it is sensible. A manager who is present can answer questions about use and earlier repairs. You also know straight away which defects the inspector sees.

What happens with the result?

The inspector delivers a report with the condition scores per element. These scores are the basis for the MJOP or the maintenance plan. Keep the report in the building’s file.

Can the inspector also see things that are not on the list?

Yes, and they note these separately. These are often risks or matters outside the measurement. Take such notes seriously, even if they are not on the element list.