What is client-side technical supervision, and when do I need it?

Construction supervision is professional oversight of the building process, independent of the contractor. Its job is to monitor the quality of the work, check the billing, and alert the owner promptly to any deviations from the design or from correct technical procedures. You need it when you want an independent check on both the quality of the build and the money you spend. 1) You're building a detached house with a certified contractor and want an independent check on quality and cost (this is client-side technical supervision, TDI); 2) You're building it yourself (owner-builder), and the Building Act formally requires you to arrange construction supervision (this is construction supervision under the Building Act, SD).

How much does construction supervision cost?

Client-side technical supervision (TDI) starts at CZK 15,000 a month with us. The price covers inspection days, photo documentation, billing checks, and written records. Other services: land assessment from CZK 10,000, help taking handover of a finished build from CZK 10,000, and an hourly consultation at CZK 1,800/hour (2-hour minimum). We'll put together a custom quote after a short consultation.

Is construction supervision required by law?

For owner-builder projects (without a certified contractor), construction supervision is mandatory. This is set out in the Building Act. For projects handled by a certified construction company it isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended. Without supervision, the owner just has to take the contractor's word for it, and once the build is finished it's too late to fix mistakes in work that has already been covered up. We recommend supervision for every build over CZK 3M and for any larger renovation that alters the building services, structure, or structural stability.

How does working with construction supervision actually work?

It starts with a no-obligation consultation, where we get to know your situation and propose a specific scope of service. Once you agree, we sign a mandate contract (for TDI) with a fixed price. During the build, we visit the site at the key stages (before work is covered up, before concreting, before laying the floor base, and so on), take photo documentation, check the billing, and send the records from each inspection day within three working days. Throughout, you have a direct phone line to the engineer in charge of your build.

How do I choose the right construction supervisor?

Three practical signs of a reputable supervisor: **1) ČKAIT or ČKA registration, or AIN certification.** A chartered engineer, architect, or certified inspector has the right training, experience, and professional accountability. **2) Independence from the contractor.** If the contractor pays the supervisor, that's not independent supervision; it's part of their sales pitch. You pay for independent supervision, and it works for you alone. **3) Professional liability insurance.** Every technician should carry liability insurance that covers any damage caused by a supervision error. In our case it's CZK 5M for the company and for each inspector individually.

Construction supervision and advisory

Building or renovating? We'll watch the site for you.

Independent construction supervision and client-side technical supervision from chartered building engineers. We assess the plot, help you choose a contractor, keep an eye on the build, and take handover of the finished work. Clear prices, a firm agreement.

Arrange a no-obligation consultation See the pricing

from CZK 15,000 / month
client-side technical supervision throughout the build: 30+ certified inspectors
across the Czech Republic: 1000+ inspections a year
since 2012

Certified property inspectors

Our inspectors are seasoned professionals, engineers and architects with many years of experience.
An independent party between you and the contractor

We have no contractual relationship with any construction company. A supervisor from the construction company works for the build; we work only for you.
30+ inspectors across all 14 regions of the Czech Republic

We have an inspector in your region. Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, all of the Czech Republic, and Bratislava.
100% Satisfaction guarantee

We work to make sure every client leaves satisfied. Client reviews rate us 4.8 out of 5.

What client-side technical supervision is

Client-side technical supervision: when you need it and what it does

What you get with us

A professional eye on the build you're paying for.

We focus on what matters: the things that affect the value and use of the house in the long run, such as structural stability, insulation, installations, the quality of the materials, and adherence to the technical procedures. Not every tiny scratch.

Client-side technical supervision (TDI) is an independent expert's check on how the build is progressing. You bring one in to have a professional on your side: someone who knows building work, keeps an eye on the quality, checks the contractor's billing, and flags problems in time. Without TDI, you have to rely on whatever the contractor tells you.

When you need TDI

01

You are building or renovating for the first time

You have nothing to compare against and can't tell a deviation from the standard. TDI gives you that missing experience for a fixed monthly fee.
02

The contractor is proposing extra work

You need an independent person to judge whether it's justified and whether the price matches the scope.
03

Work gets covered up under plaster and floors

Someone has to check the concealed structures before they vanish under the final surface.
04

You fear defects that only show up after completion

TDI is cheap insurance against expensive later repairs you can no longer do anything about.

Independent construction supervision

Why independent supervision, not the contractor's own

Construction firms sometimes offer their own site manager as "construction supervision". That's not the same as independent client-side technical supervision. The difference is simple: who that person represents, and who pays them.

Supervision from the contractor

Paid by the construction firm.
Part of the contractor's build team.
Motivated to avoid conflict.
Usually included in the price, "free".
A useful add-on, not a substitute.

Our independent technical supervision

Paid by you.
Outside the contractor's structure.
Motivated to protect your money and quality.
A monthly retainer from CZK 15,000.
For most builders, the main oversight.

Service pricing

Five services for builders. Transparent pricing.

We cover the entire life cycle of a build, from buying the plot to taking handover of the finished work. We agree the price up front and it stays fixed for the duration of the build. Indicative amounts are below, with a specific quote after a short consultation.

01 / 05 Main service

Client-side technical supervision (TDI)

Construction supervision throughout the build. Regular site visits at the key phases, an eye on progress and quality, and checks on the billing and the quantities charged. Special emphasis on checking concealed structures, which disappear under plaster or under the floor once the work is finished.

Who it makes sense for

People building detached houses, investors in larger renovations

Output

Regular records from inspection days, photo documentation

Price

from CZK 15,000 / month

Arrange a consultation →

A monthly retainer for ongoing supervision. Includes inspection days, photo documentation, billing checks, and written records. Minimum 3 months.
02 / 05 Service

Site assessment before purchase

Before you buy a building plot, we verify how usable it really is. We check the zoning plan, protective zones, the municipality's building regulations, the availability of utilities, access roads, easements, and geological conditions. The output is a report assessing whether the plot is suitable for your building plans.

Who it makes sense for

Buyers of building plots, developers of smaller projects

Output

Site assessment report

Price

from CZK 10,000

A one-off service. Report within 10 working days of the order.
03 / 05 Service

Selecting and vetting the contractor

We find a reliable construction firm for you. We draw up the tender conditions, evaluate the bids, check references, and review the budgets. You avoid the two most common problems: choosing the cheapest (and then the worst) contractor, and unrealistic budgets that keep getting revised upward during the build.

Who it makes sense for

People building detached houses, investors in larger renovations

Output

A comparison of bids and a recommendation of a specific firm

Price

custom quote

The price depends on the size of the project and the number of firms approached. We'll agree it during the consultation.
04 / 05 Service

Assistance taking handover of the completed build

A professional handover of the build from the contractor. We check the completed work in detail and draw up a handover report listing every defect and snag the contractor has to fix or settle with a reduction in the price of the work. It works much like taking handover of a new build from a developer, but for your own build or renovation.

Who it makes sense for

Builders and investors in the final phase of a project

Output

A handover report with photo documentation and a list of defects to fix

Price

from CZK 10,000

A one-off service. Includes a detailed inspection and a handover report.
05 / 05 Service

Consultation with an architect or engineer

An expert second opinion on a specific problem. A design, a decision the builder faces, a proposed solution when something unexpected turns up on site. A consultation lasts at least two hours, whether on site, online, or at our offices.

Who it makes sense for

Builders and investors dealing with a specific question, not the whole build

Output

A record with a recommendation

Price

CZK 1,800 / hour

An expert consultation, on site or online. Minimum 2 hours. On request, including a record with a recommendation.

Travel is charged at CZK 10/km, minimum CZK 500.

Terms and abbreviations

Construction supervision and client-side technical supervision: what's the difference

These two terms often get confused in everyday speech: people routinely say "I have construction supervision on site" when what they actually have is technical supervision. Under the Building Act, and in practice, there's a fundamental difference between them.

The main difference comes down to who carries out the build (you yourself, or a firm) and whose interests that person is there to protect.

1. Construction supervision (SD)

For self-build construction

The term is precisely defined in the Building Act and applies mainly to self-build construction.

When you need it: If you're building a house yourself (self-build) and have no professional qualification, the law requires you to arrange construction supervision.
What it does: They make sure the build proceeds safely, in line with the approved design and the applicable standards. They ensure the house "won't fall down" and doesn't endanger its surroundings.
Whose interests it protects: In essence, they protect the interests of the law (that the build is safe and lawful) and help you, as a lay builder, physically build the house correctly.
Who can do it: Someone with the relevant education (a university or secondary building qualification, plus experience); they don't have to be a chartered engineer.

2. Client-side technical supervision (TDI)

When a contractor builds for you

Sometimes also called the builder's technical supervision. It applies when a construction firm carries out the build for you (turnkey or contracted out).

When you need it: If a firm is building your house. On private builds it's not required by law, but hiring one is the best investment you can make.
What it does: They represent you against the construction firm. They check the quality of the work done, make sure the firm follows the design, doesn't overcharge for materials, and keeps to the schedule, and above all they check the concealed work (waterproofing, the placement of reinforcement in concrete) before it disappears under the final surface.
Whose interests it protects: Exclusively your interests (the owner's interests) and your money.
Who can do it: An experienced construction professional, ideally a chartered engineer or technician. It should never be someone appointed by, or connected to, the construction firm.

Quick comparison

Feature	Construction supervision	Client-side technical supervision (TDI)
Who carries out the build?	You (self-build)	A construction firm (contracted out)
Whom does the supervision check?	You (advising you how to build correctly)	The construction firm (checking its work)
Is it required by law?	Yes (for self-build)	No (for private builds), but strongly recommended
Main goal	Compliance with standards, safety and the design	Protecting your money and the quality of the work

What it costs and what you get for it

Do the maths: CZK 15,000 a month on a build worth CZK 8M

CZK 6-15M
price of a detached house in the Czech Republic: 10-18 months
typical build time: 2-3%
TDI as a share of the build cost: CZK 150-270k
TDI for the whole build

A detached house in the Czech Republic is usually built for CZK 6 to 15 million, and the build takes 10 to 18 months. Client-side technical supervision for the whole build therefore costs you around CZK 150 to 270 thousand. That's 2 to 3 percent of the build cost.

For that 2 to 3 percent you get expert oversight of the build every month. A single mistake caught in time while checking concealed structures (poorly done waterproofing, a missing stiffening element in a reinforced-concrete structure, the wrong thickness of insulation) can pay that investment back many times over.

Without supervision, you just have to take the contractor's word for it. That's the cheapest option. It's also the riskiest.

Conclusion

Construction supervision isn't a luxury for large projects. It pays off on a CZK 5-million detached house just as much as on an apartment renovation worth a million. The cost of supervision is a tiny fraction of what a mistake can cost you if no one catches it in time.

How to start

What working together looks like

A short introductory consultation is enough for us to recommend the right service: TDI throughout the build, a one-off site assessment, help taking handover, or an expert consultation. We agree the price up front and it stays fixed for the duration of the build.

01
No-obligation consultation
Reply within 15 min
Call or message us and briefly describe your situation: what stage the project is at, what you're building, and which contractor you're working with. We'll reply within 15 minutes and set up a phone or in-person consultation. The consultation is free.
02
Proposed scope and fixed price
Fixed price
Based on your situation, we'll propose a specific service or combination of services. You'll get a written quote with a fixed price, no extra billing along the way. If the scope changes, we'll update the quote in writing.
03
Contract and start of cooperation
Payment after the service
For TDI, we sign a mandate contract (the statutory contract type for supervision). For one-off services, we sign a works contract. Once it's signed, we start on the agreed schedule. We invoice after the service is delivered, not in advance.
04
Outputs and communication along the way
Records within 3 days
For TDI, we send records from each site inspection within three working days. For one-off services, we deliver the final report within the agreed deadline, usually within 10 working days. Throughout, you have a direct phone line to the specific engineer working on your build.

On television

Our engineers on a Czech TV program about warranty claims on construction work

An inspector from Nemoinspekt appeared in a Czech Television report on warranty claims over construction work. It covered the most common problems on detached-house building sites and with tradespeople, and how a builder can prevent them.

What we help with

Three situations where builders reach out to us most often

Building a detached house for the first time

Most people build once in their life and learn everything as they go. Without client-side technical supervision (TDI) you just have to take the contractor's word for it. With TDI you have professional eyes checking whether the contractor is doing what they bill for, at the quality they should. Supervision usually pays for itself simply because the contractor can't bill for more than they actually did.
Renovating an older apartment or house

A renovation usually uncovers surprises under the plaster (damp, structural problems, the state of the installations). Without technical oversight, surprises quickly turn into extra work that no one can assess. With us you have an independent party who decides whether the extra work is justified and whether the proposed solution makes sense.
Buying a building plot

A plot looks nice, but how usable it really is for building depends on dozens of factors that are not obvious at first glance. The zoning plan, protective zones, the municipality's building regulations, easements, the geological subsoil, transport connections. A site assessment for CZK 10,000 can save you hundreds of thousands.

FAQ

What builders ask most often

Reply within 15 minutes +420 730 193 333

What is client-side technical supervision, and when do I need it?

Construction supervision is professional oversight of the building process, independent of the contractor. Its job is to monitor the quality of the work, check the billing, and alert the owner promptly to any deviations from the design or from correct technical procedures.

You need it when you want an independent check on both the quality of the build and the money you spend. 1) You’re building a detached house with a certified contractor and want an independent check on quality and cost (this is client-side technical supervision, TDI); 2) You’re building it yourself (owner-builder), and the Building Act formally requires you to arrange construction supervision (this is construction supervision under the Building Act, SD).
How much does construction supervision cost?

Client-side technical supervision (TDI) starts at CZK 15,000 a month with us. The price covers inspection days, photo documentation, billing checks, and written records.

Other services: land assessment from CZK 10,000, help taking handover of a finished build from CZK 10,000, and an hourly consultation at CZK 1,800/hour (2-hour minimum). We’ll put together a custom quote after a short consultation.
Is construction supervision required by law?

For owner-builder projects (without a certified contractor), construction supervision is mandatory. This is set out in the Building Act. For projects handled by a certified construction company it isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Without supervision, the owner just has to take the contractor’s word for it, and once the build is finished it’s too late to fix mistakes in work that has already been covered up.

We recommend supervision for every build over CZK 3M and for any larger renovation that alters the building services, structure, or structural stability.
How does working with construction supervision actually work?

It starts with a no-obligation consultation, where we get to know your situation and propose a specific scope of service. Once you agree, we sign a mandate contract (for TDI) with a fixed price.

During the build, we visit the site at the key stages (before work is covered up, before concreting, before laying the floor base, and so on), take photo documentation, check the billing, and send the records from each inspection day within three working days. Throughout, you have a direct phone line to the engineer in charge of your build.
How do I choose the right construction supervisor?

Three practical signs of a reputable supervisor:

1) ČKAIT or ČKA registration, or AIN certification. A chartered engineer, architect, or certified inspector has the right training, experience, and professional accountability.

2) Independence from the contractor. If the contractor pays the supervisor, that’s not independent supervision; it’s part of their sales pitch. You pay for independent supervision, and it works for you alone.

3) Professional liability insurance. Every technician should carry liability insurance that covers any damage caused by a supervision error. In our case it’s CZK 5M for the company and for each inspector individually.

Trusted by

We work with leading partners from the real-estate, development, and financial markets

Eliška Davídková

Inquiry coordinator, head office

I am here for your questions and no-obligation consultations. I will help you choose the right type of inspection and arrange an available slot with a specialist in your region.

+420 730 193 333 eliska.davidkova@nemoinspekt.cz

Free consultation

Arrange a no-obligation consultation.

Briefly describe what you're dealing with, whether a build, a renovation, a plot, or a one-off consultation. We'll recommend the right service to help you. The consultation is free and no-obligation.

Building or renovating? We'll watch the site for you.

Certified property inspectors

An independent party between you and the contractor

30+ inspectors across all 14 regions of the Czech Republic

100% Satisfaction guarantee

Client-side technical supervision: when you need it and what it does

Client-side technical supervision (TDI)

Site assessment before purchase

Selecting and vetting the contractor

Assistance taking handover of the completed build

Consultation with an architect or engineer

For self-build construction

When a contractor builds for you

Do the maths: CZK 15,000 a month on a build worth CZK 8M

No-obligation consultation

Proposed scope and fixed price

Contract and start of cooperation

Outputs and communication along the way

Our engineers on a Czech TV program about warranty claims on construction work

Building a detached house for the first time

Renovating an older apartment or house

Buying a building plot

Eliška Davídková

Arrange a no-obligation consultation.