01
Confirm status before arrival
Check the meter, account, isolation, main valve and management or developer requirements.
Inspection-day utilities
What If Water or Electricity Is Unavailable on Inspection Day?
A visible-condition inspection may still help, but utility-dependent questions remain unanswered.
Evidence-led guidanceTraceable next stepsClear professional limits
What this means
A visible-condition inspection may still help, but utility-dependent questions remain unanswered.
Missing water or electricity does not automatically cancel every useful observation. It does limit functional checks that rely on flow, drainage, lighting, sockets, pumps, heaters or powered equipment, so each affected item must remain explicit and a proportionate follow-up decision should be made.
Practical sequence
Eight decisions when utilities are unavailable
The aim is to preserve useful coverage without hiding the functional evidence gap.
02
Separate visible and functional checks
Record accessible visible condition while keeping flow, drainage and powered operation distinct.
03
Do not restore supply unsafely
Only the authorised owner, management, developer or competent party should operate relevant controls.
04
Name every affected item
Identify the rooms, components and methods that could not be completed instead of using one broad note.
05
Use Not Checked honestly
Missing utilities do not support No Defects Observed and do not automatically prove failure.
06
Assess the visit value
Visible coverage may still help, but rescheduling can be more efficient when the main decision depends on functional checks.
07
Prepare follow-up conditions
Confirm active supply, safe access, equipment and the original unchecked list before returning.
08
Respect specialist boundaries
Repeated tripping, unsafe electrical conditions, pressure questions or pump faults may require a competent specialist.
How it works
From missing supply to a controlled next step
Confirm
Identify the unavailable supply, responsible party and whether safe restoration is possible.
Separate
Continue suitable visible observations while isolating utility-dependent questions.
Record
Keep each affected item and reason explicit in the inspection record.
Decide
Choose rescheduling, focused rechecking or specialist support based on consequence and decision need.
What this helps you decide
What to confirm before the appointment
- Understand which observations can still proceed
- Keep utility-dependent items explicit instead of assuming a result
- Choose between rescheduling, focused follow-up and specialist support
Evidence and boundaries
What to confirm before the appointment
- Water and electricity account or meter status
- Main valve, isolation and distribution condition
- Management or developer activation requirements
- Rooms and systems that depend on the missing supply
- Known faults, tripping, pump or heater history
- The decision that functional evidence must support
Common questions
Use the guide with the right context
See a property-matched price first. Contact details are requested only after you choose an option.
Get Instant QuoteCan the inspection continue without water?
Visible checks may continue, but applicable flow, drainage and plumbing-operation observations can remain Not Checked or limited.
Can the inspection continue without electricity?
Visible checks may continue, but applicable lighting, socket and powered-equipment observations can remain Not Checked or limited.
Will DPM turn on the main supply?
Do not assume so. Activation must be authorised, safe and handled by the responsible owner, management, developer or competent party.
Should I reschedule the whole inspection?
It depends on the decision and the importance of utility-dependent checks. Visible coverage may still provide useful value.
Does a later utility check repeat the whole inspection?
A focused follow-up may target the original Not Checked items when the baseline, access and method are clear.
Start with your property
See the inspection options and price matched to your home.
No phone number is needed to view the available price.
Get My Instant Quote