Building inspection Haarlem
This page is written for expats and international buyers who want a building inspection in Haarlem before they buy. In the Netherlands it is called a bouwkundige keuring: a home inspection of the structure and condition of the house, similar to a building survey in the UK. If you are looking for a building survey Haarlem buyers can rely on, or a building surveyor who works only for you, you are in the right place. We have seen many expats get caught by the same Dutch pitfalls, and on this page we explain them one by one.
Premiumkeur has 4.9 stars from 698 Google reviews and 100 Trustpilot reviews. You can read the reviews on Trustpilot or on our page with English reviews. Our inspections are NHG-recognised, NEN 2767 certified and carried out according to NTA 8060. Call us on 023-2340040 or use the contact form (in Dutch).
Want to read more before you buy? Our English knowledge base for Haarlem covers foundations, damp, roofs, the VvE and the purchase agreement, with 35 cases from our own reports. Buying a listed building or an old house in the city centre? Read our knowledge base on monuments in Haarlem (in Dutch). We also film a lot of our work: our YouTube channel shows what we find in roofs, crawl spaces and foundations.
Nederlandse versie: Bouwkundige keuring Haarlem (in Dutch)
A building inspection or a specialist survey
Most clients book a standard building inspection. Some need something more specific, and we do that too. We are often asked for a foundation survey, a damp or crack investigation, a second opinion on another report, or help with a dispute with a contractor.
A few examples: leak detection in Haarlem, a baseline survey before building work starts next door (in Dutch: nulmeting (in Dutch)), floor and balcony inspections, and damage reports. All prices are on our page services and prices (in Dutch).
Why expats choose Premiumkeur
Experience. Fred Tokkie founded Premiumkeur. He was a contractor from 1983 to 2009 and has inspected houses since 2009. Because he has built and repaired houses himself, he can tell you roughly what a repair will cost.
Recognised. Our inspections are NHG-recognised and NEN 2767 certified, and we work according to NTA 8060, the Dutch standard for building inspections.
Independent. We do not work with estate agents, we do not inspect for sellers and we do not recommend contractors or repair companies. We only work for the buyer.
We explain on site. You walk through the house with the inspector, who explains everything on site in English, and you can ask anything while you are there. You can get the report in English for € 100 extra.
Same-day appointment for an apartment
We asked for a standard architectural inspection and were able to arrange an appointment with Tim from Premium Keur on the same day. Tim was quick to reply, helpful and professional, and he examined the apartment very carefully. He was clear and efficient throughout the process and gave us the report the next day. His support was really helpful!
Review on Trustpilot, March 2026, 5 stars
Risks explained in English
I really appreciate the professional service and advise from Tim Hollenberg, who helped to perform a technical check of the new house, and also another one for my own house in a row. He was thorough yet quick, attentive to details and also friendly, politely answering the questions on the go. He also took time to explain in english his observations and associated risks. Report was available on the next day, and I found no errors or missing information. So I highly recommend Tim!
Review on Trustpilot, February 2026, 5 stars
Pitfall 1: the inspector your estate agent recommends
Many expats ask their estate agent (makelaar) who to call for the inspection. That feels logical, but think about how the agent is paid. The selling agent earns money when the house is sold, and your own buying agent usually also gets paid when the deal goes through. An inspection that finds a lot of problems makes a sale harder. That does not mean an agent gives you bad advice on purpose. It does mean the agent has an interest of their own, and you should pick your inspector yourself.
Ask every inspector these questions before you book:
- Do you get work or referrals from estate agents, and do you pay anything for them?
- Will you go into the crawl space, or only look through the hatch?
- Will you go onto the roof when it is safe, or only look from a ladder or a window?
- Do you say anything about the foundation, and can you measure it?
Our answers: no, yes, yes and yes.
What makes our building inspection different
The difference is in the details you do not see on a price list. In most cases our inspectors go right into the crawl space. In most cases we climb onto the roof as well, also at greater heights when that can be done safely.
We bring the tools for it: an infrared camera, levelling instruments, a crawl space robot, an endoscope camera, a moisture meter, and a screwdriver and small crowbars to open a stuck crawl space hatch. A house in Haarlem is often more than a hundred years old, and the problems are usually where it is dark, dirty or high up.
Truly independent
Amazing service and truly an independent review! Recommend this inspection for efficiency, reliability and quality when it comes to most important steps to finding your home!
Review on Google, 5 stars
The best decision
Finding him was the best decision. He’s incredibly professional and genuinely an expert in his field. Report came quickly.
Review on Trustpilot, September 2025, 5 stars
Video: Funderingsonderzoek Haarlem
A house from the 1930s, room by room
Bo provided a very deep building inspection for a house we wanted to buy built in the 1930’s. He took his time and went through every single room, wall, section of the house and garage. Found some interesting issues with the house which we would’ve never spotted ourself. We are extremely grateful for your time and extra effort you’ve provided. Will recommend the company to everyone at my business if they need an inspection.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Problems and costs explained in English
Had a great experience with Premiumkeur for the technical inspection when buying the house. Great communication and at the house they analysed everything and patiently explained to us (in English) what the problems were, approximating the costs for reparation and even more in detail (and with pictures) in the report. Couldn’t recommend them enough!
Review on Google, 5 stars
100% independent home inspector
Fred was responsive, open and thorough. He set a date for the inspection the day I called, and a few days later we were through. He did an extremely thorough walk-through, including a walk on the roof, and checked all the window frames. Following, he shared a detailed report with proposed costings for some of the fixes, which the owner is taking care of.
Fred is independent and truly works for the buyer. Highly recommend!
Review on Google, 5 stars
Premiumkeur doesn’t work together with real estate agents
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a real estate agent that is selling a property or an agent that is helping you to buy one, both agents will have a vested interest in getting the deal done, so you can’t be sure they’ll recommend an inspector that will ONLY look after your interests. With this in mind I ended up on Fred’s site where it was plain to see that being friendly to agents was not part of Fred’s business model.
The following day Fred shows up with some pretty cool gadgets and a lively “can do” attitude. We got up on the roof, we checked out the apartment, and Fred went down under to check the subfloor and foundations.
All the time Fred was taking photos and explaining what he was looking for, what was good, what was not so good, and giving me useful advice.
He came across as a straight-up sort of guy with a sharp eye, plenty of experience, and totally independent. I was left feeling I had definitely chosen the right man for the job!
Review by an English-speaking client who bought an apartment in Haarlem
Pitfall 2: short deadlines in the Dutch purchase agreement
Houses in Haarlem sell fast, and the Dutch system has a few rules that surprise expats.
The building inspection condition. In Dutch this is the ontbindende voorwaarde voor een bouwkundige keuring or bouwkundig voorbehoud: a clause that lets you cancel the purchase if the inspection shows serious defects. It is not standard. You have to ask for it in your offer, and the deadline is in the contract and often short. Book the inspector the moment your offer is accepted, not after you sign.
The 3-day cooling-off period. When you buy a home as a private person you get three days of reflection time (bedenktijd) after you receive the signed purchase agreement. In those days you can cancel without giving a reason. Many buyers who did not get an inspection condition use these three days for the inspection. That works, but only if the inspector can come straight away. We often can, and you get the report within 2 working days.
Pitfall 3: the foundation of an old house in Haarlem
A large part of Haarlem was built before 1940. Many of those houses stand on timber piles, others on a shallow foundation without piles (in Dutch: op staal). Both can subside. Timber piles can rot when the groundwater drops, and a shallow foundation can settle unevenly. Foundation repair for a single house easily costs tens of thousands of euros, and in a row of terraced houses you often need your neighbours to take part.
Most standard inspections say little about the foundation. We look at the signs above ground, such as cracks, tilting walls, sticking doors and sloping floors. You can add a foundation quick scan (phase 0) to the inspection, with measurements of the brickwork and floors: a building inspection with a foundation quick scan, phase 0 (in Dutch) costs from € 898. If the signs point to a problem, a foundation survey phase 1 or 2 (in Dutch) follows. Phase 1 costs € 699 to € 1,499, phase 2 from € 3,000.
Available on short notice
Daan was available on short notice, knowledgeable, communicative, and reliable. He helped us understand an issue in our building much better.
Review on Google, 5 stars
A first home, bought as expats
My girlfriend and I were looking for a new place in Zaandam. Being this our first home, we were highly unexperienced in both the buying process and the assesment of the house itself. On top of that, more difficulties came from the fact that we are expats, making it harder to collect trustworthy opinions and information. Fred proved to be an irreplaceable asset, providing insights on both the estate conditions and the fair price.
He first proved his value when we called him to inspect an old, detached house, that we were interested in. We fell for the spacious garden and the ‘rustic’ feel, but Fred was quick to point out its many structural deficiencies and the high maintenance costs even in the short term. These were highly valuable insights, as the real estate agency charged with the selling DID NOT MENTION ANY OF THE SERIOUS STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES. In addition, Fred was flexible and fast in supporting us when we found an appropriate accommodation, making time to come check it out and provide us with a price estimate. Geweldig!
Review on Google, 5 stars
Pitfall 4: buying an apartment with a VvE
When you buy an apartment you also become a member of the owners’ association, the VvE (Vereniging van Eigenaars). The VvE pays for the roof, the facade, the foundation and the shared pipes. Your share of a big repair lands on you, even if the work was overdue long before you bought.
Ask the seller for the long-term maintenance plan (MJOP, meerjarenonderhoudsplan), the size of the reserve fund and the minutes of the last meetings. A plan that is old, or a reserve fund that is far too small for what the plan says, is a warning sign. During the inspection we look at your apartment and at the shared parts we can reach, and we tell you what we expect the VvE will have to pay for. We also make maintenance plans for a VvE (in Dutch).
Pitfall 5: the age clause
Older houses are often sold with an age clause, in Dutch the ouderdomsclausule. With it you accept that the house is old and does not meet the standards of a new build. In practice it limits what you can claim from the seller if something turns out to be wrong after the purchase. Sellers can also add a clause that the house is sold as it is.
So the moment to find problems is before you sign, not after. That is the real point of a building inspection. You also have a duty to investigate as a buyer: if you could have seen a defect, it is harder to hold the seller responsible later.
Professional from start to finish
Professional from start to finish. Excellent communication and fast time line. The tech report for my mixed use property was very thorough and highly detailed. Bo was eager to provide insight and clarification. Outstanding service
Review on Trustpilot, September 2025, 5 stars
Explained in person, not just in a report
We are in the process of buying an apartment and Daan helped us out with the technical inspection. He made a detailed study and gave us an explanation in person, instead of asking us to ‘just wait for the report’. It was a good, clear explanation and he even gave us tips on what we could do for better maintenance of our house, plus the pros and cons of certain ‘decisions’ that are important but not urgent. eg. changing the boiler. Very helpful and patient!
Review on Google, 5 stars
Great service and great value for money
Fred recently performed an inspection for us when we were buying our home, and we can heartily recommend his services. During the technical inspection stage of the purchase, we wanted to get a second opinion on a few aspects of the house, so we also got a sense of how he operates vs other inspectors. In a nutshell: the man goes the extra mile. Where others do just enough, Fred clambers out of windows, scales roofs, and checks every nook and cranny.
We learned a huge amount during the process, and he revealed things we would have certainly missed otherwise. And he wasn’t just pointing out problems; he took his time and taught us how to judge the quality of the build and all the various finishes. The result? We were able to buy with utter confidence. Beyond the numbers and inspection itself, Fred always made himself available on the phone and was a great sounding board at several moments. We wouldn’t hesitate to use Fred again in the future. Great service and great value for money.
Review by an English-speaking client
The crawl space properly done
I am really happy with the provided work by the Team “Premiumkeur” and Mr Fred They are independents, professional and punctual.
The inspection of the crawlspace was properly done (dive into it, do the checks and pictures,…).
Post-inspection, we had a brief discussion and advises (within corona measure rules, of course)
The digital report came after payment as described; It is well detailed and with good advises.
For future inspections, I will definitely give them a call again!
Review on Google, 5 stars
Do not forget the crawl space
Best money I have ever spent. Daan & Tim have so far saved our lives twice. They are incredibly professional, great attention to details and it truly feels like they care. I cannot recommend this company enough. Do not buy a house without consulting them first. And do not forget to check the crawl space regardless of where the house in Amsterdam is. If i could give them 100 stars, i definitely would have.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Bought twice since moving to the Netherlands
Nothing hides from Fred. Since I moved to the Netherlands I bought twice, sold once, heavily renovated once. All delicate situations that, unless you are an expert of the peculiarities of Dutch constructions, I would warmly recommend not to face by yourself; specially when the interests of different real estate agents of this mad housing market are involved. Bad surprises are too often behind the corner. I had the chance to use Fred three times and I would never make a move anymore without him.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Rising damp identified
Tim Was great. Very professional and went above and beyond to make sure that the rising damp problem was correctly identified as a major issue. We hope he will continue to help us figure this building out!
Review on Trustpilot, October 2025, 5 stars
Second opinion and building disputes
Sometimes the problem starts after the purchase. A contractor did poor work, the neighbours’ building work caused damage, or you bought a house with defects that an earlier inspection did not mention. We can then write an independent expert report, in Dutch a contra-expertise (second opinion). Construction lawyers and legal expenses insurers regularly hire us for this.
We describe what we find and what it costs to put right. We do not carry out repairs ourselves and we do not recommend contractors, so the report has no commercial interest behind it.
Leaks that kept coming back
I have been struggling for the last few years with leaks on the roof that after many attempts to fix still remain.
I reached out to PremiumKeur to finally try to find out what really needs to be done and have a report so I can share.
I was visited by Bo Schreurs and after his investigation, he was able to share with me on the spot with pictures the reasons why the leakages are there.
He also helped me understand which repair work was properly done versus which one was not.
The full report arrived on time even though we were close to holidays period.
Highly recommend, very personal and caring for your current problems while very professional too.
Review on Trustpilot, December 2025, 5 stars
Foundation and structural inspection
Daan is very professional and flexible. He provided some very usefull information during our foundation and structural inspection. Highly recommended if you are looking to do inspection of your existing and / or new house.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Video: Scheuren onderzoek
Video: Scheuren onderzoek Haarlem
Pitfall 6: a roof seen only from a distance
Many inspectors look at a roof from a ladder, from a window or with a camera on a pole. From there you see the outline of the roof, but not the cracked tile, the loose lead flashing or the worn felt on a flat roof behind the parapet. Those are exactly the things that leak in the first winter after you move in.
We climb onto the roof when it can be done safely, and we use a safety harness to inspect at greater heights. The photos on this site show that we also do it in difficult spots. If you only need the roof checked, for example after a roofer gave you a big quote, read about our roof inspection in Haarlem.
Pitfall 7: a crawl space checked from the hatch
Many Dutch houses have a crawl space (kruipruimte): a low space between the ground floor and the soil, often too low to stand in. Many inspection companies state in their terms and conditions that they inspect the crawl space only from the hatch. In practice that means they often do not go in.
Damp problems are common in Haarlem, and the crawl space is where we find the expensive defects: rotten floor joists, a leaking sewer pipe, woodworm, dry rot (huiszwam) and sometimes asbestos. In most cases we inspect the crawl space completely. We also do a separate crawl space inspection (in Dutch) from € 499.
Every potential issue explained
Daan conducted the inspection and was extremely thorough. He explained anything and everything to me and what potential issues I may encounter. Definitely recommend this company.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Very thorough inspection
I wish I could give more stars. Very thorough inspection, clear explanation, and detailed report. Thanks, Daan!
Review on Google, 5 stars
Video: Funderingsherstel in Haarlem
Video: Bouwkundige keuring Haarlem
Buying a flat for the first time
I was very satisfied with all advice given by Fred Tokkie. Being a starter and buying a flat for the first time is not easy, as it seems. There are many hidden things that you go or will go through, especially when it comes to construction survey. Premiumkeur / Fred brilliantly helped me by giving me a great advice. I strongly recommend Fred Tokkie to anyone who is facing the same issue. Thank you Premiumkeur.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Help after the inspection
Fred gave good advice during the check, but was also open to help afterward with some questions during the renovation. Good communication, insights and dedication.
Review on Google, 5 stars
Objective and trustworthy
Daan was great. He was flexible with me and my appointment, patient with questions, and provided a very thorough report. Highly recommended. I really felt like he was objective and trustworthy
Review on Google, 5 stars
Saved from a potential nightmare
Brilliant service, extremely thorough and informative. Daan and his colleague helped to save us from a potential nightmare. Super thanks and we will be sure to recommend
Review on Google, 5 stars
Where we inspect
We work in Haarlem, the rest of Kennemerland and the Bollenstreek, and in Haarlemmermeer. Buying a new-build home? We also do the handover inspection when you get the keys: handover inspection Haarlem (in Dutch).
Local pages for the towns around Haarlem:
- Building inspection Heemstede (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Bloemendaal (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Aerdenhout (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Overveen (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Santpoort-Noord (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Velserbroek (in Dutch)
- Building inspection IJmuiden (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Beverwijk (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Heemskerk (in Dutch)
- Building inspection Hoofddorp (in Dutch)
From our reports: three cases from Haarlem
Three anonymous cases from our own reports, taken from our knowledge base for Haarlem. Amounts are the repair costs in the report, at the price level of that year.
Flat from 1900 with a VvE, Haarlem, March 2026. A building inspection with a foundation quick scan (phase 0). The floor levelling survey measured up to 111 mm of subsidence towards the front and 50 mm towards the rear, with cracks down into the cellar. In the crawl space, joists were affected by brown rot and damp. Renewing the joist floor costs € 25,000, and the immediate costs came to € 63,850 in total (2026 price level). Our advice: allow for foundation repair, and fit monitoring bolts (meetbouten) or have a phase 2 investigation done. What this shows: whether settlement continues only becomes clear from years of measuring.
Terraced house from 1910, Haarlem, July 2024. The ground floor had subsided almost 8 cm towards the front, while the front facade showed only 7 mm difference from left to right. The cellar leaked badly; only a new concrete cellar would make it watertight, estimated at € 50,000. Immediate costs in total: € 61,550 (2024 price level). What this shows: a front facade that looks level does not tell you everything. Here the subsidence ran from front to back.
Listed terraced house, presumably from 1610, with a VvE, Haarlem, September 2026. The building leans forward, with cracks that return after repair. Ground subsidence in the area was only about 0.2 mm per year, yet we assessed the foundation risk as high. The immediate costs were modest, € 2,950 (2026 price level), but our advice was a phase 2 foundation investigation before signing the purchase agreement. What this shows: little ground subsidence does not rule out a high foundation risk in a very old building.
Learn more before you buy
Buying a house in the Netherlands works differently from most other countries. Most Dutch websites about it are only in Dutch, so we wrote detailed knowledge bases in English. Take an evening to read the ones that fit your situation:
- Building inspection Haarlem: knowledge base (linked at the top of this page). Everything about buying in Haarlem and Kennemerland: the inspection, prices, foundations, damp, the VvE and the purchase agreement, with 35 cases from our reports.
- Building inspection Amsterdam: knowledge base. The same subjects for Amsterdam, where many expats in the region buy their first home.
- Monument Amsterdam knowledge base. What to watch for when you buy a listed building or an old canal house.
- VvE maintenance plan Amsterdam knowledge base. How a long-term maintenance plan (MJOP) and the reserve fund of a VvE work, and what they mean for you as a buyer of an apartment.
- Foundation investigation Amsterdam: knowledge base. Timber piles, foundation surveys and foundation repair explained in detail.
Frequently asked questions from expats
What does a building inspection in Haarlem cost?
A building inspection costs € 499 including VAT for a home up to 800 m³, plus € 0.50 per extra m³. With a foundation quick scan (phase 0) it costs from € 898. A roof, crawl space or damp inspection costs from € 499. Report in English: € 100 extra.
How long does a home inspection take and when do I get the report?
The inspection takes 1 to 1.5 hours. You receive the report within 2 working days.
Why should expats choose their own inspector instead of the one the estate agent recommends?
The estate agent is paid when the house is sold, so the agent has an interest in a smooth sale. Choose an inspector who has no ties with estate agents. Premiumkeur does not work with estate agents and does not inspect for sellers.
Is a building inspection the same as a building survey in the UK?
It is close. A Dutch building inspection (bouwkundige keuring) is a visual inspection of the structure and condition of the house, with a report of defects and estimated repair costs. If you are looking for a building survey Haarlem buyers use before signing, this is it. Our building surveyor does not open up walls or floors, and the report states what could not be seen.
Should I add a building inspection condition to my offer?
Yes, if you can. The building inspection condition (ontbindende voorwaarde) lets you cancel the purchase if the inspection shows serious defects. The deadline is often short, so book the inspection as soon as your offer is accepted.
Can Premiumkeur investigate the foundation?
Yes. A foundation quick scan (phase 0) can be done together with the building inspection, from € 898 in total. A foundation survey phase 1 costs € 699 to € 1,499, phase 2 from € 3,000.
What should I check when I buy an apartment?
Ask for the long-term maintenance plan (MJOP) of the owners’ association (VvE), the reserve fund and the minutes of recent meetings. During the inspection we also look at the shared parts of the building that we can reach.
Can the inspector explain the findings in English?
Yes. The inspector explains everything on site in English, and you can walk along and ask questions. You can get the report in English for € 100 extra.
Can I get the report in English?
Yes. The inspector explains the findings on site in English, and an English report costs € 100 extra.
How do I book a building inspection in Haarlem?
Call us on 023-2340040 or email premiumkeur@gmail.com. We can often come within a few days.
What our clients say
The reviews below were posted on Trustpilot without an invitation from us. Premiumkeur has 4.9 stars from 698 Google reviews and 100 Trustpilot reviews (October 2026).
Great service. Clear communication. Excellent results
Review on Trustpilot, July 2026, 5 stars
It was really nice done! checked important details and came up with report within 1 day!
Review on Trustpilot, December 2025, 5 stars
Contact details Premiumkeur Haarlem
Premiumkeur B.V.
Tempeliersstraat 63
2012 EC Haarlem
Phone: 023-2340040
Email: premiumkeur@gmail.com
Chamber of Commerce (KvK): 81106130
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