About Us.
our story
Insight Estimates
We help Kiwis make sense of building reports fast.
If you've just received a building inspection report and don’t know what to do next, you’re not alone. Every week across New Zealand, homeowners, first-time buyers, property investors, and real estate agents are handed reports full of technical jargon, long lists of issues, and zero practical guidance.
Most people freeze.
You’re left wondering:
- What does any of this actually mean?
- Which issues matter, and which don’t?
- How much will these repairs cost?
- Who do I even call to fix this?
That moment the panic after the report is where Insight Estimates comes in.
What We Do
We turn confusing inspection reports into clear, costed action plans.
At Insight Estimates, our mission is simple: we bridge the gap between building inspectors and real-world decisions.
We take your report (no matter who wrote it) and translate it into:
- Plain-English summaries
- Estimated repair costs based on NZ trade rates
- A prioritised list of what’s urgent vs what’s cosmetic
- Suggested trades for each issue
- Optional connections to local, vetted tradies
- And if you need it full project management
This means no guesswork. No confusion. Just clarity, confidence, and direction.
Why We Exist
Because most building reports leave people stuck.
Let’s be honest: inspection reports aren’t designed to help you act. They’re designed to tick boxes and highlight risks without much explanation.
And when you’re trying to buy, sell, or manage a property, time is critical. A delayed decision can cost you thousands or kill the deal entirely.
We created Insight Estimates to give people a way forward. We don’t inspect. We interpret. We don’t fix. We translate and connect.
Think of us as the missing link between inspection and action.
Our Why
Most people don’t need another report. They need to understand the one they’ve got.
We started Insight Estimates because too many people were being left in the dark, confused by jargon, overwhelmed by decisions, and afraid of making the wrong move.
Greg(Founder) kept seeing the same thing on job after job: people holding building reports and asking the same questions. What does this mean? What should I fix first? How much will it cost?
Buying, selling, or managing a property should feel empowering, not paralysing.
We’re here to change that.
Our why is simple:
To bring clarity, confidence, and calm to a process that often brings stress and doubt.
We translate complex reports into plain language.
We give people a clear path forward.
We connect them to real solutions, not guesswork.
Because everyone deserves to make informed decisions – without being made to feel lost, rushed, or stupid.
We don’t guess.
We translate your report into a simple, step by step plan.
No jargon. No surprises. Just straight up advice backed by real world experience.
Greg Scadden - Founder
Based in Tauranga. Trusted NZ-wide
While we’re proudly based in Tauranga, we work with clients all across New Zealand from city apartments in Auckland to lifestyle blocks in Hawke’s Bay to real estate agents in the Bay of Plenty. No matter where you are, we can take your digital report and return a full estimate within days. At Insight Estimates, we make confusing building reports make sense.
Founder Greg brings over 27 years of hands on experience in the construction industry. Starting out as a cabinet maker, his career has spanned every stage of the building process. From the tools to full scale project management.
Greg has worked across the country on everything from high rise hotels in Auckland, to retirement villages in Tauranga, national landmarks like Te Papa and the Christchurch Casino, and hundreds of residential builds, additions, and renovations.
He understands how trades connect, what repairs actually cost, and how to manage timelines under pressure. That means faster, clearer answers for you: what’s urgent, what it costs, and who you need to call.
Our Why
Most people don’t need another report. They need to understand the one they’ve got.
We started Insight Estimates because too many people were being left in the dark, confused by jargon, overwhelmed by decisions, and afraid of making the wrong move.
Greg kept seeing the same thing on job after job: people holding building reports and asking the same questions. What does this mean? What should I fix first? How much will it cost?
Buying, selling, or managing a property should feel empowering, not paralysing.
We’re here to change that.
Our why is simple:
To bring clarity, confidence, and calm to a process that often brings stress and doubt.
We translate complex reports into plain language.
We give people a clear path forward.
We connect them to real solutions, not guesswork.
Because everyone deserves to make informed decisions – without being made to feel lost, rushed, or stupid.
We don’t guess.
We translate your report into a simple, step by step plan.
No jargon. No surprises. Just straight up advice backed by real world experience.
At Insight Estimates, we make confusing building reports make sense.
Based in Tauranga Moana, founder Greg brings over 27 years of hands on experience in the construction industry. Starting out as a cabinet maker, his career has spanned every stage of the building process. From the tools to full scale project management.
Greg has worked across the country on everything from high rise hotels in Auckland, to retirement villages in Tauranga, national landmarks like Te Papa and the Christchurch Casino, and hundreds of residential builds, additions, and renovations.
He understands how trades connect, what repairs actually cost, and how to manage timelines under pressure. That means faster, clearer answers for you: what’s urgent, what it costs, and who you need to call.
Greg knows how the trades connect. That means faster, clearer answers for you: what’s urgent, what it costs, and who you need to call.
Real World Expertise
On site know how from builds, renovations, and project management
A deep understanding of how trades interact and where costs stack up
No fluff. Just answers you can act on today
Real world solutions, not vague suggestions
Real World Expertise
Real World Expertise
Why Work With Us
We get it. Building reports are stressful.
That’s why we’ve built a service around you, not the paperwork.
Plain English Reports
No jargon. Just clear explanations you can actually use.
Cost Clarity
Know what each issue might cost before you make a move.
Step by Step Priority Plan
Know what to fix now, what can wait, and what’s cosmetic.
Decades of On Site Experience
We’ve worked the tools, managed the builds, and solved real problems.
"Clear, detailed, and easy to follow. Took the stress out of the process"
Lynda Watene
"Helped us make fast, confident decisions without all the jargon."
Richard Barker
"Reliable advice and great communication. Made the next steps obvious."
Antony. B
"Clear, detailed, and easy to follow. Took the stress out of the process"
Lynda Watene
"Helped us make fast, confident decisions without all the jargon."
Richard Barker
"Reliable advice and great communication. Made the next steps obvious."
