Clear, Trusted Home Inspections Across Portugal
Every home writes a story,
I help you read it clearly before you commit.
Home inspections aren’t always part of the process in Portugal — but they should be. I offer informative, detail-oriented evaluations that help buyers, sellers, and renters make confident decisions.
“Don’t worry” is often the default response in real estate — but that doesn’t help anything. A thorough inspection can reveal safety hazards, structural concerns, or hidden damage before they become costly problems.
Ajuda Home Inspection exists to support informed decisions with clear, impartial evaluations. Whether you're purchasing a family home, preparing to rent out a flat, or reviewing a property’s condition before listing it for sale, my inspections highlight potential concerns in a productive and easy-to-understand format. You’ll receive a thorough report focused on function, safety, and long-term value — delivered without pressure or unnecessary alarm.
Not every property needs to be perfect, but every buyer deserves to understand what they’re walking into. These are the values that shape how I work — and why clients trust the process.
Honest Reporting
I work only for you, with no hidden agenda. My job is to explain what I see clearly, so you can make informed choices without pressure.
Support for All
Property Goals
Whether you’re buying, selling, moving in, or managing a rental, I provide insight that supports smart, smooth transactions.
Attention to detail
and safety
I focus on what truly matters — from serious safety issues to smaller concerns that affect comfort, livability, and long-term value.
Respect for the
Meaning of Home
A home is more than walls and roof — it’s personal. I approach every inspection with respect for the people who live there and the lives they’ve built.
Passion for Traditional Buildings
Having worked with adobe, stone, and countless remodels, I understand how older homes are built — and where hidden problems often appear.
What We Inspect
From compact flats to rural quintas, I inspect a wide range of residential properties across Portugal. Every building is evaluated with a consistent standard — grounded in practicality, safety, and long-term value — while recognizing the unique characteristics of older or traditionally built homes.
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Whether you're buying, selling, or simply checking in on a home you already own, this is a thorough inspection of visible systems, structure, and finishes. Every inspection includes accessible building systems and structural elements, with attention to performance, safety, and likely maintenance needs. Reports are tailored by property type:
Buyer’s Inspections: Separate formats for apartments and independent houses, focused on helping you move forward with confidence.
Seller’s Inspections: Pre-sale inspections that help you identify issues, avoid surprises, and strengthen your listing.
Homeowner Maintenance Inspections: For those who already own and want a periodic checkup with no sales agenda.
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Move-in and move-out inspections for rental properties — with photo documentation, safety observations, and optional record tracking during the lease. These inspections assess visible systems and finishes and document any concerns that may affect habitability or tenant responsibility.
Move-In Inspections: Full walkthrough documenting the property's condition at the beginning of a lease, with timestamped photos and written observations.
Move-Out Inspections: Conducted at the end of the lease to record changes since move-in and help resolve deposit concerns.
Issue Tracking: Notes and records concerns reported during a lease, so they’re documented for move-out
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These inspections focus on specific needs — ideal when you need expert insight. While not formal appraisals or code compliance checks, they offer objective, real-world evaluations of what’s observable and potentially problematic.
System-Specific Evaluations: Focused inspections of one area (e.g. roof, plumbing, HVAC) when you’re unsure about condition or contractor advice.
Construction Verification A third-party check on new construction, remodeling, or repairs — not code enforcement, but a reality check on workmanship.
Rapid Search Walkthroughs: A half-day service for buyers or renters viewing multiple properties. Includes on-site consultation and a summary of visible concerns to help compare options.
Tools We Use
A good inspection goes beyond what’s visible at a glance. I use professional-grade tools to detect hidden issues, measure performance, and document conditions — all to support a more complete picture of the home.
Thermal Imaging Camera- Detects heat loss, insulation gaps, and hidden moisture.
Moisture Meter- Checks for dampness behind walls or under finishes.
RCD Tester-Verifies the function and safety of residual current devices.
Laser Level & Tape Measure- Measures slope, floor flatness, and unusual dimensions.
Water Pressure Gauge- Assesses water flow and pressure at key fixtures.
Air Quality Meters- Measures CO₂, VOCs, particulates, and indoor pollutants.
Drone (where allowed)- Captures inaccessible roof or exterior areas.
Angle Gauge- Confirms slope and tilt of surfaces and installations.
LiDAR Scanner / Distance Meter- Captures precise room dimensions and spatial layouts.
Combustible Gas Detector- Screens for propane, methane, and other fuel leaks.
High-Resolution Cameras - Used extensively to document findings, defects, and visual conditions.
Reports We Write
Want to see what you’ll get? These sample reports shows the layout, detail, and clarity you can expect —including real-world findings and how they’re explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ideally, as early as possible in the buying process. The best time is before signing the CPCV (Promissory Contract of Purchase and Sale), when there’s still flexibility to negotiate based on the findings. That said, contract terms vary, and negotiation options can differ from one transaction to another — it’s best to coordinate with your realtor to understand the timing that works for your specific situation.
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Yes — while terminology differs, this service functions like a home or building survey: an impartial, expert review of the property’s condition before you commit. However, unlike many UK surveys, it does not include a formal valuation of the property.
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No. I don’t make legal determinations about code compliance. That said, my observations are informed by current Portuguese building standards and safety regulations where relevant.
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No. This is not a warranty. The inspection provides a professional opinion based on what’s visible on the day of the visit. Hidden defects or future changes can’t be predicted.
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Ideally, as early as possible in the buying process. The best time is before signing the CPCV (Promissory Contract of Purchase and Sale), when there’s still flexibility to negotiate based on the findings. That said, contract terms vary, and negotiation options can differ from one transaction to another — it’s best to coordinate with your realtor to understand the timing that works for your specific situation.
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I don’t offer direct cost estimates. However, the inspection software includes a feature that allows you to create a customized repair list, which you can use when speaking with contractors or negotiating with sellers.
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Yes, and I recommend it. Being there helps you ask questions and better understand what I’m seeing. It also helps make the report easier to follow.
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Most inspections take 2–5 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the home. Additional time is required off-site to review findings and compile the report.
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The finished report is typically delivered within 24–48 hours after the inspection. It’s presented in an easy to navigate online format with photos, summaries, and downloadable options.
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Yes. I inspect a wide range of homes across Portugal, including apartments, villas, quintas, and rental properties.
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Absolutely. It’s your report. You can share it with realtors, sellers, or anyone involved in the transaction.
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Pricing depends on location, size, and property type. I’ll provide a quote once I know a few details. There are no hidden fees.
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Yes. Travel fees depend on your location within Portugal and will be clearly communicated before your appointment is confirmed
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This fee secures your appointment and covers scheduling preparation and any travel planning involved. If we’re unable to confirm your visit, the fee can be applied to a future date.
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Yes. If questions come up later — even weeks after the inspection — I’m happy to help clarify or point you to additional resources.
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Yes. I provide inspections throughout mainland Portugal — including Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga, Faro, Évora, Setúbal, Cascais, Sintra, Aveiro, Leiria, and many other cities and towns. With advance notice, I’m also available to travel to the Azores and Madeira. If you’re unsure whether your location is covered, feel free to get in touch — I’m happy to confirm availability.
Who am I?
I’m Daniel Browning — originally from Texas, now raising my four daughters here in Portugal with my wife. We moved here in search of a better, more intentional life, and I started Ajuda because I believe that owning a home should feel safe, not uncertain.
Before becoming an inspector, I spent years investing in and restoring troubled properties. I’ve always had a soft spot for homes with history — the kind that need a second chance and an honest look beneath the surface. That work led me to become InterNACHI certified and dig deep into the craft of home inspection, especially in older and traditionally built homes like those found across Portugal.
Over the years, I’ve watched home prices rise while the condition of properties remains a side note — especially here, where demand is competitive and conditions are typically unknown. I respect everyone’s right to profit from their home, but I believe buyers, sellers, and renters all deserve real transparency. That’s what I aim to offer.
Ajuda exists to bring clarity and fairness to the homeownership process — through independent, respectful inspections that help you move forward with confidence.
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