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Building survey!

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Newbuyer77
Newbuyer77 Posts: 2 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
We have waited over 6 month for our vendor to find their prefect house. Eventually they have. However as first time buyers we went for the full rics building survey and it has picked up a number of problems. It's a 80 year old 3 bed semi. The report is 49 pages with 16 urgent repairs and 14 short term to medium term. Is this normal? There are no major issues like subsidence and a couple of the points relate to investigation. We weren't sure whether it's a case of the surveyor trying to cover their backsides. So what's normal in terms of a building survey? Thanks

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  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,302 Forumite
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    cover backsides


    will list plumbing, electrics roof etc as untested or requires testing


    I'd only be worried by words like "structural defect" , "rising damp" or "subsidence" etc
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  • shortcrust
    shortcrust Posts: 2,697 Forumite
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    Browntoa wrote: »
    cover backsides


    will list plumbing, electrics roof etc as untested or requires testing


    I'd only be worried by words like "structural defect" , "rising damp" or "subsidence" etc

    That's pretty much my take too. If it's not going to fall down then I wouldn't worry too much.
  • DaftyDuck
    DaftyDuck Posts: 4,609 Forumite
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    Go through the survey five times, carefully, with a pencil. Read the appendix, introduction, cover page and the index, if there is one.

    Highlight EVERYTHING that causes you concern, sleepless nights, or to hit the bottle.

    Phone the surveyor on Monday, and ask him to go through it, until you understand it.

    Then read it again. From the beginning. Repeat it necessary.

    Yes, they do butt-cover. However, there is often a gem in there that gets missed. It is worth the effort to close read.

    Then, ask any further specifics back here.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    If you pay for a full survey, that's what you get! A detailed report on every aspect of the property.

    If you paid £800 odd and got a 1 page report, you'd rightly feel short-changed.

    As you've paid for this, use it! Go through it and note

    a) the little things mentioned that could comprise a useful 'to do' list after you move in. Minor things that will improve the property, or which, by fixing now you'll prevent them developing later into issues

    b) major things that will cause significant, unavoidable, and unexpected expense. These could be used to re-negotiate on price, or if this is not possible, that you will have to budget for.

    c) things you don't fully understand. You've paid (£800?) to the surveyor, so ring him and ask for explanations.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
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    Newbuyer77 wrote: »
    Is this normal?

    It's an 80 year old house. If the previous owners haven't spent money maintaining the property. Then quite possibly. At least you aware of matters that need attention.
    We weren't sure whether it's a case of the surveyor trying to cover their backsides.

    You'd feel short changed if they did nothing for their fee. After all the report is prepared for your information.
  • Newbuyer77
    Newbuyer77 Posts: 2 Newbie
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    Thanks for your replies. You have been very helpful. Re read it a few times and now writing for the surveyor to get back in office. These are a few of the things I have highlighted as concerns.
    • Re-point perished mortar to roof ridge and hip tiles.
    • Investigate condition of cavity wall ties, prior to possible remedial and repointing works.
    • Investigate condition of concealed floor timbers to dining room floor.
    • Installation of low level air vents to ground floor chimney breasts.
    • Installation of externally vented mechanical extraction to bathroom, WC and kitchen.
    Hairline cracking was apparent to the master bedroom at the
    junction with the south partition. Furthermore, localised
    cracking was apparent to the bathroom tiling, above the door
    and on the adjoining wall surface to the landing. These cracks
    are likely to relate to initial minor movement of the floor
    structure following the ground floor alterations. There was no
    cracking to the south west rear bedroom, which suggests
    movement is not on-going. A period of monitoring will be
    required. Should further movement occur, opening up works
    may be required to expose the supporting beam.
  • ssparks2003
    ssparks2003 Posts: 809 Forumite
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    If that is all you are doing very well, there is a couple of grands work there at the most. I have bought newer houses with worse reports.
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