For homeowners & buyers
Know exactly what you're buying
before you complete., before you negotiate., before you move in.
A home buyer health check is a guided inspection of a property's gas, plumbing and heating systems — carried out by a qualified engineer, before you complete on a purchase. Here's what it covers and why it's worth having.
What does HBHC mean?
HBHC — Home Buyer Health Check — is the new standard for understanding a property's condition before you buy. Rather than guessing what might be wrong with the gas, plumbing or heating, an HBHC gives you a clear, consistent picture — the same structured check and the same kind of report, whichever engineer carries it out. Wherever you see the HBHC mark, it means one thing: you'll know exactly what you're buying.
Why it's worth having
A hidden gas leak, a corroded pipe, an ageing boiler — problems are far cheaper to know about before you exchange than after you move in.
A clear, itemised report gives you real evidence to renegotiate price or ask the seller to fix issues before completion.
Gas and heating faults aren't just expensive — they can be dangerous. A proper check catches what a quick viewing never will.
A branded PDF with photos, findings and sign-off — useful for your own records or peace of mind after you move in.
Not just for buyers
The same health check is just as useful outside a purchase.
Book one between tenancies as a documented condition and compliance check — a useful record alongside your annual Gas Safety Record, for insurance, disputes, or reassuring a new tenant.
Recommend a health check to vendors or buyers to surface issues early — fewer nasty surprises at survey stage means fewer chains falling through late.
What's checked
Every health check works through the same guided checklist, so nothing depends on which engineer turns up. Here's the real structure it follows.
- • Gas Meter
- • Meter Box
- • External Pipework
- • Oil Tank (where present)
- • Condensate
- • External Taps
- • Gas Tightness Test
- • Gas Appliance — Boiler
- • Gas Appliance — Cooker
- • Gas Appliance — Hob
- • Gas Appliance — Fire
- • Pipework
- • Flues
- • Ventilation
- • Flow Rate
- • Cylinder
- • Temperature
- • Expansion Vessel
- • Leaks
- • Flow Rate
- • Stop Tap
- • Isolation Valves
- • Waste
- • Leaks
- • Visible Corrosion
Manufacturer, model, age, condition, pressure and service history are recorded in full, with any recommendations noted.
Anything worth flagging is photographed on the spot and included in your report, not just described.
Every finding rolls up into one overall score, rated Good condition, Some issues found, or Attention required — an at-a-glance read before you dig into the detail.
See what you'll actually receive
A branded PDF report from the engineer's own business — every section checked, an overall Home Health Score, and both signatures. Here's a sample.
How it works
Book a home buyer health check with a gas, plumbing & heating business that uses PlumbGrade's inspection software.
The engineer works through a guided digital checklist at the property, covering everything below — with photos of anything worth flagging.
A PDF report from the engineer's own business, with an overall Home Health Score, every finding, and both parties' digital signatures.
Find a gas, plumbing & heating business running PlumbGrade near you.
Find a business near you →Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as a full building survey?
No. A home buyer health check focuses specifically on the property's gas, plumbing and heating systems — it isn't a structural survey (like a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey) and doesn't replace one. Many buyers get both: a structural survey for the building, and a health check for the systems inside it.
Does this replace a Gas Safety Record or Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
No. It's a visual, non-invasive health check of accessible systems on the day of inspection — it doesn't constitute a Gas Safety Record, a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, or a warranty of future performance.
How long does an inspection take?
It varies by property and how many issues come up, but most home buyer health checks are completed in a single visit.
Who actually carries out the check?
A gas, plumbing or heating engineer at a business that uses PlumbGrade — not PlumbGrade itself. PlumbGrade provides the software the engineer uses on-site; the inspection and report are theirs.
What do I actually get afterwards?
A branded PDF report from the engineer's own business, covering every section checked, any photos taken, an overall Home Health Score out of 100, and both the engineer's and (where captured) your own digital signature.
See how PlumbGrade helps your business offer home buyer health checks as a service — digital checklists, photo evidence, and a branded PDF report your customers can trust.
Explore PlumbGrade for businesses →