Roof and facade leak investigation Amsterdam

A brown ring on the ceiling, paint bubbling on a wall, a musty smell in the bedroom: if you live in Amsterdam and do not speak Dutch, a leak quickly turns into a maze of roofers, owners’ associations, landlords and insurers. This page explains, in plain English, how a roof leak or facade leak in an Amsterdam home is investigated, what is typical for the old Dutch housing you probably live in, who usually pays, and which Dutch words you will run into along the way.

We are Premiumkeur, a partnership of independent building inspectors with our head office on the Heiligeweg in Amsterdam. Our inspectors explain their findings on site in English. Everything on this page comes from our own work in the city. A Dutch version with more detail is available: daklekkage en gevellekkage onderzoek Amsterdam. For all figures from our roof and damp reports, see the leak detection Amsterdam knowledge base.

In brief

  • A leak investigation (lekdetectie) by Premiumkeur costs € 499 to € 599 including VAT. You get a written report within two working days.
  • We look at the roof, gutters, lead flashings, the facade, window frames, balconies and, where needed, bathrooms and pipes. A ceiling stain under the roof can also come from the facade or from the neighbours.
  • The investigation is visual and non-destructive. We only open something up after agreeing it with you.
  • We do not carry out repairs and we do not recommend roofers or contractors. The person who finds the cause does not earn from the fix.

1. Why leaks in Amsterdam are different


If you moved here from a country with newer housing, Amsterdam homes can be a surprise. Three things explain most of the leaks we see:

  • Old buildings. A large share of the city was built before 1930. Many walls are solid brick without a cavity, so rain that gets through the pointing ends up on your inside wall.
  • Flat roofs and shared drainage. Rows of four- and five-storey buildings with flat roofs drain through outlets in the facade into shared downpipes. One blocked outlet or gutter can affect several apartments.
  • Divided buildings. Most apartments are part of an owners’ association, the Vereniging van Eigenaren (VvE). The roof, facade and gutters usually belong to everyone together, which means the leak in your bedroom may be a decision for the whole building.

2. Is it the roof, the facade or something else?


Before you call anyone, note when the stain gets worse. The timing says more than the location.

What you noticeMost likely source
Grows after every heavy shower, even without windRoof, gutter or roof outlet
Only wet during rain with strong wind from one sideFacade (pointing, window frame, sill) or a balcony junction
Wet band at the bottom of the wall, white salt deposits, crumbling plasterRising damp, often in ground-floor flats and basements (souterrains)
Black spots in corners of outside walls, worse in winterCondensation: too little ventilation and cold walls
Appears after showering or using the washing machine, even in dry weatherA bathroom or pipe, often in the flat above

Condensation is very common in Amsterdam apartments, especially in older buildings where trickle vents are closed or blocked. It is not a leak, but it looks like one and causes mould. Telling the two apart is one of the main things a leak investigation does.

3. Typical weak points in Amsterdam homes


Canal houses and pre-1900 buildings

Pitched tiled roofs, chimneys, hidden gutters behind the decorative top of the facade and a lot of lead. Solid walls mean that worn pointing quickly causes penetrating damp. Basements and souterrains often suffer from rising damp. A shared party wall means the cause can be next door.

19th-century apartment blocks (De Pijp, Oud-West, Oost)

Flat roofs with an old outlet through the facade into the downpipe, called a stadsuitloop. When the roofing is renewed, that outlet is not always replaced. In heavy rain it cannot cope and water runs back into the facade, often on the top floor. New roofing laid over old roofing can also trap water that travels a long way before it appears.

1920s and 1930s housing (Amsterdam School, Rivierenbuurt, West)

A mix of tiled roofs, dormers, chimneys and flat sections. The more junctions, the more places water can enter: dormers, valley gutters and lead flashings around chimneys are the usual suspects.

Post-war flats and new-build

Flat bitumen or EPDM roofs, concrete balconies and galleries, roof terraces and large glazed fronts. A balcony above someone’s home is effectively a flat roof: a fall towards the facade or a blocked drain under the tiles is a classic cause. In new-build we see more design and workmanship errors, such as a door threshold that is too low above a roof terrace.

4. How our leak investigation works


  1. Intake by phone or email. Where is the stain, since when, does it change with rain or water use, what has been tried, and is there a VvE or landlord involved? Photos in advance help.
  2. Inside. We measure moisture in the material itself with a pin moisture meter, in several places, to see whether the stain is still active.
  3. On the roof. The inspector goes on the roof if it is safe to do so and checks the roofing, seams, upstands, outlets, gutters, lead and zinc work, chimneys, roof penetrations, roof windows and the junctions with neighbouring roofs. Drones are usually not allowed in Amsterdam, so this is done in person.
  4. Facade and balconies. Pointing, window frames, sills and balcony junctions.
  5. Extra tools where they add something. An endoscope to look behind a ceiling through an existing opening, a thermal imaging camera, a humidity meter when condensation is suspected, and sometimes a water test.
  6. On-site explanation in English. We tell you what we found and what we think the cause is.
  7. Written report within two working days. Photos, condition per element, our advice and the order in which to tackle it. Where the cause is not certain, we say what is needed for more certainty.

What we cannot see without opening up, such as what is under roofing, gravel or decking, we state in the report. A leak that only happens with one specific combination of rain and wind is harder to prove on a dry day; we say so honestly.

5. Who pays for a leak in Amsterdam?


We do not give legal advice, but this is the general picture expats ask us about most.

You own an apartment in a VvE

The roof, facade, gutters and downpipes are usually common parts, paid for by the VvE. What exactly is common is set out in the deed of division (splitsingsakte) and the regulations of your building. If the cause is in a common part, the VvE normally arranges and pays for the repair. If it is in your own apartment, for example your bathroom leaking into the flat below, it is usually your responsibility. An independent report helps the VvE board decide quickly and fairly.

You rent

Report the leak to your landlord in writing, with photos and dates. In the Netherlands, structural repairs such as roof and facade work are normally the landlord’s responsibility. If your landlord does not act, the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie) and the municipality’s rental support desk can help. If you want to commission an investigation yourself, it is wise to let your landlord know first.

You own a house

The repair is yours, but check whether the gutter or roof is shared with a neighbour. Shared gutters and party walls are common in Amsterdam rows.

Insurance

Damage to the building falls under the buildings insurance (opstalverzekering), damage to your belongings under contents insurance (inboedelverzekering). Whether they pay depends on the policy and the cause. Insurers often do not pay for damage caused by overdue maintenance. Record the damage early and read the conditions.

6. Dutch terms you will come across


DutchEnglish
lekdetectieleak detection
daklekkageroof leak
gevellekkagefacade leak
lekkage onderzoekleak investigation
dakinspectieroof inspection
dakdekkerroofer
dakgoot / hemelwaterafvoergutter / rainwater downpipe
loodslablead flashing
voegwerkpointing (mortar joints)
doorslaand vochtpenetrating damp
optrekkend vochtrising damp
condens / schimmelcondensation / mould
VvE (Vereniging van Eigenaren)owners’ association
splitsingsaktedeed of division
opstalverzekeringbuildings insurance
achterstallig onderhoudoverdue maintenance

7. What you can do before we arrive


  • Keep a short leak diary: date, weather (rain, wind and wind direction) and whether the stain grew. Take dated photos.
  • Mark the edge of the stain lightly with a pencil, so you can see whether it spreads.
  • Look at gutters and downpipes from the street or your balcony during rain: is water running over the edge?
  • Ask your neighbours and the VvE whether they notice anything too.
  • Do not climb onto the roof yourself and do not seal things with sealant before the cause is known. An emergency fix can remove the traces we need.
  • Do not repaint too soon. Solid walls can take months to dry; have it measured first.

8. What it costs


InvestigationPrice (incl. VAT, October 2026)
Leak detection or roof leak investigation€ 499 to € 599
Roof inspection (technical condition)from € 499
Roof inspection with leak detection€ 599
Damp investigationfrom € 499
Damp investigation in a cellar€ 699
Facade inspectionfrom € 499

A cherry picker or scaffolding for parts that are hard to reach costs extra; we discuss that in advance. Repair costs depend entirely on the cause, from a few hundred euros for a loose lead flashing or blocked outlet to thousands or tens of thousands for a flat roof at the end of its life or a cellar that is not watertight.

9. Choosing a leak detection company in Amsterdam


Leak detection is not a protected profession in the Netherlands. Questions worth asking any company:

  • Will the inspector go onto the roof, or only look from inside or from the street?
  • Do you also check the facade, or only the roof?
  • Do you measure moisture inside the material, or only on the surface?
  • Will I get a written report with photos, and is it in a form my VvE or landlord will accept?
  • Do you also carry out the repair, or refer me to a roofer? Do you receive a fee for that referral?
  • Can the inspector explain the findings in English?

About free roof inspections

Search for a roof leak in Amsterdam and you will see plenty of roofers and plumbers offering a free roof inspection or free leak detection. That can be perfectly fine, especially for a small, obvious problem. It helps to understand the business model, though. An inspection takes time, and if the company also does repairs, that time is usually paid for through the work that follows. The person diagnosing the problem also earns from the solution.

That does not make the advice wrong; many tradespeople are honest and skilled. But as an expat, possibly reading a Dutch quotation for a building you do not know well, it is harder to judge whether everything in it is needed. Sometimes a quote includes more than it takes to stop the leak, such as a full new roof where repairing one junction would do. The opposite also happens: a quick dab of sealant without the cause being found, and the stain is back after the next storm.

If a free inspection is followed by a large quotation, ask:

  • What cause was found, and how? Was it measured, or is it an estimate?
  • Which part of the quote is needed to stop the leak, and which part is maintenance or improvement?
  • Can I see photos of the defects listed in the quote?

There are also signs that call for extra caution. You mostly see them with people looking for work at the door or by phone, not with the average roofer:

  • Someone rings the bell, offers to clean the gutter or just have a look, and suddenly finds serious damage on the roof that must be fixed right away.
  • You are shown photos of damage you cannot check yourself, and there is time pressure: today, or it will leak tomorrow.
  • You are asked to pay in cash, or a large deposit before the work starts.
  • There is no written quotation describing each part of the work.

On the Dutch consumer programme Kassa (2015), the trade association for roofers gave simple advice: never accept a job from a company that only wants cash. And if you sign an agreement of more than € 50 at your door, you generally have 14 days to cancel, according to the Dutch government (page in Dutch).

If a lot of money is involved, or the leak comes back after a repair, an independent investigation first is often worth it. A firm that does not carry out repairs has no interest in whether the fix turns out big or small, and you can ask several companies to quote for the same work based on one report. For tenants, the same report helps when you need your landlord or the VvE to act.

10. Case studies: thirteen leak and damp investigations in Amsterdam


These cases come from our own reports from 2024 up to and including 2026. They show how often the source is somewhere other than the damage. Addresses and names have been left out; the district comes from the postcode. Amounts are only given where the report mentions them.

Case 1: Mould caused by condensation and poor ventilation, Amsterdam-Noord

Situation. Unoccupied corner house with three storeys, year of construction unknown, no owners’ association (VvE). Investigation in April 2026 into damp patches and black mould.

Findings. The mould is on walls against the cold outer façade and on the ceiling below the uninsulated attic. The house is very poorly insulated and ventilated, there are no ventilation grilles in the windows and there are large gaps between the window frames and the brickwork. The crawl space is insufficiently ventilated and there is rising damp in the walls. The attic roof and the roof window are also not watertight.

Advice and costs. Install a ventilation unit, fit grilles in the windows, insulate the outer walls on the inside with false walls (PIR) and seal the window frame joints so that they are watertight and airtight. Crawl space: two openings of at least 100 mm each in the front and rear façades with stainless steel grilles, plus two in the side façade, a gravel strip 40 cm wide and 60 cm deep, and further investigation into possible damage to the floor structure. Have the roof checked by a roofer. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Here the mould is the result of several connected causes. Cleaning alone does not solve it.

Case 2: Damp patches caused by a blocked gutter, Amsterdam-Centrum

Situation. Apartment in a building with five storeys, owners’ association, occupied. Investigation in April 2026 into damp patches in the bathroom and the adjoining room.

Findings. The gutter is badly blocked and overflows. Rainwater from the neighbours also ends up in this gutter. In addition, the lead flashings are too long and rest on the roofing, so capillary action can cause leaks. The render above the lead flashings is loose, the downpipes discharge onto the flat roof and the collection tank is loose. Under the sedum roof, the roofing is open in one place.

Advice and costs. Clean the gutter thoroughly straight away and then at least twice a year. Check the soldered joints for cracks. Shorten the lead flashings, repair the render, replace the drainage and, where possible, connect it to the sewer, in consultation with the neighbours. After cleaning, it takes at least 2 to 3 months before painting can be done. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. A leak in a bathroom can originate on the roof, and a shared gutter requires agreements with the neighbours.

Case 3: Salt efflorescence from rising damp in a brick façade, Amsterdam-Centrum

Situation. Apartment complex with seven storeys, owners’ association, occupied. Investigation in January 2026 because of white deposits on the ground floor walls.

Findings. The rear and side façades are solid brick walls in very wet ground. The white deposits are salt efflorescence. The damp is attacking the pointing and brickwork, but according to the report it has no negative effect on the structure. In the garage the paint is peeling and the brickwork is damaged.

Advice and costs. Cheapest approach: fill a trench 50 cm wide and 1 metre deep along the façade with coarse gravel averaging 2 cm. Garage: pressure-wash the wall and repoint it. A concrete plinth (at least 15 cm thick, 1 metre high) is expensive, a false wall only hides the problem, and injection (damp-proof course injection) does not give a permanent solution. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Rising damp in old brickwork can be reduced, but not solved for good.

Case 4: Damp in a basement and a leaking bathroom, Amsterdam-Centrum

Situation. Listed apartment complex with five storeys, owners’ association, occupied. Damp and leak investigation in December 2025.

Findings. In the basement (souterrain) the damp patches come from rising damp, because the concrete floor was poured against the structural wall and that joint is not watertight. The boiler cupboard against the waterlogged garden-side wall is also damp. In an apartment above, damp patches and black mould have appeared because of a bathroom that is not watertight, with very poor pointing and sealant work. These patches have no connection with the basement.

Advice and costs. Basement: a false wall ventilated at the top, supervised by a contractor with knowledge of damp. Do not patch up the bathroom but have it retiled properly, followed by destructive testing of the listed beams. The report expects no payout from the insurer because of overdue maintenance. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Two damp patches in one building can have two different causes.

Case 5: Condensation and cold bridges in a house from 1934, Amsterdam-West

Situation. Mid-terrace house from 1934 with three storeys, owners’ association, occupied. Inspection in March 2025 because of damp damage. Single-brick walls without a cavity and without insulation; in 2024 an extension with a garden room was built.

Findings. In the bedroom there is mould in the corners against the front façade, with condensation on the window at a humidity of 70%. The mechanical ventilation is connected to the supply opening, so no fresh air comes in. In the crawl space the timber measures around 30% (dry is 12%). In the garden room the wall measures 1.7% (dry 0.5%); an active leak would be above 4%.

Advice and costs. Clear the supply and install a humidity/CO2-controlled ventilation unit, with an extraction duct to the crawl space. Insulated false walls with about 50 mm of PIR and vapour-tight foil. Optionally a pressure test on the pipework in the garden room. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Ventilation that is connected the wrong way makes the problem worse instead of solving it.

Case 6: Handover of a renovated roof, Amsterdam-Zuid

Situation. Apartment complex from 1912 with four storeys, owners’ association, occupied. Roof inspection in May 2025 after a full roof renovation.

Findings. The new roof tiles have been laid skilfully and the vapour-permeable membrane was found in spot checks. Weak points: lead flashings at the roof windows are not dressed down properly, under-ridge pieces and foam rubber are missing, and an emergency repair has been carried out in two places. The sealant work at a loggia is amateurish, the concealed gutter has cracks, and there is wood rot in the dormers. Damp patches in the façade and on the oak floor point to earlier leaks.

Advice and costs. The roofer repairs the points mentioned before handover. Have the painter do moisture measurements first, because drying can take up to a year. The gutter between the dormers has not been renewed and may need replacing within 5 years. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Even a renewed roof must be checked for details before it is handed over.

Case 7: Damp and mould caused by a leaking rear façade and cold bridges, Amsterdam-Oost

Situation. Mid-terrace house from 1887 with four storeys and an attic, owners’ association: yes. In January 2025 we investigated damp damage and mould in two homes in the same building.

Findings. Inside there was early mould in the corner between the rear façade and the party wall. The thermal image showed cold bridges: the insulated false wall had not been continued along that wall. The walls gave 0.8 to 0.9% moisture (dry plaster: 0.5%). Outside, rusting galvanised steel corner profiles around the window frames had pushed the render apart; up to a metre below the window frame it measured 6.5%. The zinc roof edge had too little overhang (at least 20 mm advised) and no drip profile.

Advice and costs. Remove the render and all corner profiles and render the rear façade again in full. Then ventilate with a humidity- or CO2-controlled ventilation unit. If the problems continue, extend the false wall by at least 1 metre along the party walls. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Mould inside can have two causes at the same time. Treating only the inside then solves nothing, so the façade belongs in the assessment.

Case 8: Leaks around a former theatre space, Amsterdam-Centrum

Situation. Apartment complex from 1997, built behind an existing historic façade, with a concrete underground car park, owners’ association: yes. In January 2025 we surveyed leaks on several floors, during rain.

Findings. The leaks are concentrated around the walls of the former theatre space. In the storage rooms there was an active ceiling leak and water was bubbling up through a hole in the cellar floor. In the car park the ceiling along the contour of the concrete wall was coated with salt crystals and stalactites, and water was dripping. A second leak seems to come from old pipework of a former toilet block. The courtyard roof lies under gravel and tiles and the downpipes discharge freely onto it.

Advice and costs. Further investigation into the joints between walls and roof and into the pipework (pressure test, acoustic detection, tracer gas). Repair minor defects and then monitor. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Scattered leaks can share a structural cause. Ruling causes out step by step and monitoring is then the way to work.

Case 9: Rising damp and leaks in an uninhabitable house, De Pijp

Situation. Mid-terrace house from 1889 with five storeys, owners’ association: yes. In December 2024 we inspected damp damage in a home that had become uninhabitable.

Findings. Along the skirting boards there was peeling plaster and mould. The moisture meter read above 12% (normal 0.5%), increasing towards the floor. Archive research confirmed a new concrete floor without a crawl space, boxed into the existing walls. As a result the moisture from the brick can only go inward. In addition, the bathroom above had been leaking for a long time, the condensate drain of the shared boiler duct was not properly connected (active leak) and the roof upstand at the extension was at most 50 mm where 120 mm is usual.

Advice and costs. First fix the leaks, then strip out, dry and repair. Against the rising damp: injection, ventilated false walls, or both. In our experience, injection rarely gives a lasting result. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. With this kind of damage, structure and leaks are mixed together. All causes must be named separately.

Case 10: Damp in the basement and a question about foundation defects, De Pijp

Situation. Mid-terrace house with three storeys and a basement, no owners’ association. December 2024. The reason was damp damage, with the question of whether the foundation plays a role.

Findings. Along the skirting boards there was peeling plaster and mould, and the woodwork was in contact with wet walls. The moisture meter read above 10% in plaster (normal 0.5%) and above 20% in wood. The groundwater level was roughly at basement floor level. There is no crawl space and the plaster sits directly on the walls. The front and rear differed by about 60 mm in height. The façade showed no notable cracking: no sign of a foundation defect.

Advice and costs. Price level 2024: a concrete cellar tank with a new foundation from € 2,500 per m²; injection with a concrete plinth € 300 to € 500 per linear metre; ventilated false walls € 150 to € 200 per linear metre. We estimate injection plus false walls at about € 25,000, excluding demolition and rebuilding.

What this shows. Damp in a basement does not automatically point to a foundation problem.

Case 11: Leak through a sliding door and window frames, Amsterdam-West

Situation. Apartment complex from 1899 with five storeys, owners’ association: yes. In November 2024 we investigated, on behalf of the owners’ association, a long-running leak in a home on the second floor.

Findings. With an endoscope in the ceiling we established that the leak came from the plastic sliding door on the third floor. Swollen wood at the top of the window frame pointed to a long-standing leak. The windows had been fitted incorrectly and were not watertight. On the fourth floor the window sills had been fitted incorrectly and pipes and a wooden canopy were not watertight. The roofing is estimated to be 20 years old or more.

Advice and costs. Replace the sliding door as soon as possible with a wooden window frame, installed by skilled tradespeople. Replace the window sills, renovate the chimney with rain caps, renew the roofing within 5 years, preferably together with the neighbours. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. The source was one floor higher than the damage. Only an on-site investigation brought it to light.

Case 12: Damp at the front stoop and in walls below ground level, Amsterdam-West

Situation. Mid-terrace house from 1881, owners’ association: yes. In September 2024 we inspected damp damage. The front stoop had been re-founded and put back, but the damp problems got worse afterwards, even after repeated sealing.

Findings. Because of condensation, the lime-based plaster fell off the wall. In heavy rain, water ran down the inside of the stairs; we could not locate the leak. In the bedrooms every section of wall below ground level was damp, up to 3.5% (normal 0.5%). Building drawings from 2007 show that the concrete floor on concrete piles is boxed into the existing single-brick walls.

Advice and costs. Stairs: insulated false wall with water-resistant and vapour-tight foil and drainage. Walls: insulated, ventilated false walls, with no guarantee of a lasting result. A permanent solution is only possible with a concrete plinth of 10 to 15 cm or a cellar tank. In our view, injection rarely gives a lasting result. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. When the cause lies in the structure, repairing sealant work gives no lasting result.

Case 13: Damp in the basement and bathroom, Amsterdam-Centrum

Situation. Ground-floor apartment with a basement, two storeys, owners’ association: yes. In May 2025 we investigated the bathroom and the damp problems in the cellar.

Findings. The bathroom ceiling was damaged by insufficient ventilation: the fan was blocked and two large shower heads hang near the ceiling. Black mould can also come from a cold bridge. In the basement, water at the front door ran over the concrete edge, which should stand at least 10 cm above ground level. The shower drain did not run off well. Local injection had not helped, and the cellar tank stayed very damp.

Advice and costs. Replace the ceiling with plastic cladding boards and replace the fan. Remove soil and lay a gravel bed 40 cm wide and 50 cm deep. First fix the entrance, check the pump and drain, and take moisture measurements for at least a year. No amounts in the report.

What this shows. Damp in a cellar often has several causes. Remove the simple causes first and then measure.

11. Frequently asked questions from expats


What does a roof leak investigation cost in Amsterdam?

At Premiumkeur a leak detection or roof leak investigation costs € 499 to € 599 including VAT. You receive the written report within two working days.

Does the inspector speak English?

Our inspectors explain their findings on site in English. The written report is in Dutch; the photos, measurements and conclusions are easy to go through together, and you can ask us about anything that is unclear.

How do I know whether the water comes from the roof or the facade?

Watch when the stain gets wet. After every shower of rain, even without wind, points to the roof, a gutter or an outlet. Only during rain with strong wind from one side points to the facade or a window frame. We tell the difference with measurements inside and an inspection outside.

I rent my apartment. Who pays for the repair?

In the Netherlands, structural repairs to the roof and facade are normally the landlord’s responsibility. Report the leak in writing with photos. If you want to commission an investigation yourself, let your landlord know first. We do not give legal advice.

My apartment is part of a VvE. What should I do?

Report the leak to the VvE board with photos and dates. The roof, facade and gutters are usually common parts. An independent report showing where the water comes from helps the board decide who should repair what.

Will my insurance pay?

Damage to the building falls under buildings insurance (opstalverzekering), damage to your belongings under contents insurance (inboedelverzekering). Whether they pay depends on the policy and the cause; overdue maintenance is often excluded. Read your policy conditions.

Do you go onto the roof?

Yes, if it is safe to do so. If a roof can only be reached with a cherry picker or scaffolding, we discuss that in advance. Drones are usually not allowed in Amsterdam.

Can you find a leak when it is dry?

Often yes, because we assess the condition of the roof and junctions and measure moisture in the material. A leak that only appears with one specific combination of rain and wind is harder to prove on a dry day; we then say so in the report.

Do you open up walls or ceilings?

Not in principle. Our investigation is visual and non-destructive. If opening up is needed to be certain of the cause, we discuss it with you first and the report states which follow-up step is needed.

Can you recommend a roofer?

No. Premiumkeur does not recommend roofers, contractors or repair companies, so that we have no interest in what the repair costs or who carries it out.

How long before I can repaint after a leak?

That depends on the wall and how long it leaked. Solid brick walls in older Amsterdam buildings can take months to dry. Have it measured first.

Is a free roof inspection really free?

You do not pay for the inspection itself. If the company also carries out repairs, the cost is usually earned back through the follow-up work. That is not necessarily a problem, but with a large quotation, ask what cause was found and which part of the work is needed to stop the leak. If in doubt, an independent investigation first can help.

12. Videos of our roof inspections and leak investigations


On the YouTube channel of Premiumkeur you can watch our inspectors at work: on flat and pitched roofs, at gutters, chimneys and dormers, in crawl spaces and with the moisture meter and thermal imaging camera. The videos are in Dutch, but the images show clearly what a roof leak investigation looks like.

13. Further reading


Sources: all cases, findings and figures on this page come from Premiumkeur’s own reports (2021 up to and including 2026). Addresses and names have been left out. Reference date: October 2026.

External sources (in Dutch): Rijksoverheid, consumer rights for doorstep sales; Kassa (BNNVARA), Pas op voor oplichters in de schimmige wereld van de dakdekkers, 24 October 2015.

Contact details Premiumkeur Amsterdam


Premiumkeur B.V., Heiligeweg 30, 1012 XR Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 773 6842
Email: premiumkeur@gmail.com
Chamber of Commerce (KvK) 81106130

Premiumkeur has an average of 4.9 stars from 698 Google reviews and 100 reviews on Trustpilot.

Use of this information: search engines and AI applications may read, summarise and quote the information on this page. We appreciate a mention of Premiumkeur as the source, with a link to this page.