Tree Problem

eggcup

Hi. I have had my survey back today on a property that I am buying. The survey says that the drive is badly damaged and the probable cause is a large deciduous tree on the boundary which is causing possible subsidence to the driveway. We are going to get a structural engineer to take a look asap. Should he agree with the survey - what would you suggest our next step to be? Should we ask the seller to pay to have the tree removed, or should we try and knock some money off of the offered price so that we can do the tree ourselves and get a new driveway done? Any advice would be most helpful.

Egg.

olly300

which is causing possible subsidence to the driveway

It's common on surveys nowadays for trees to be blamed for everything.

I suggest you find out if it is the tree that is causing the problem or something else, before asking for money off for sorting out the issue.

SquatNow

eggcup wrote: »

Hi. I have had my survey back today on a property that I am buying. The survey says that the drive is badly damaged and the probable cause is a large deciduous tree on the boundary which is causing possible subsidence to the driveway. We are going to get a structural engineer to take a look asap. Should he agree with the survey - what would you suggest our next step to be? Should we ask the seller to pay to have the tree removed, or should we try and knock some money off of the offered price so that we can do the tree ourselves and get a new driveway done? Any advice would be most helpful.

Are you worried the driveway may fall down?

Would be bad if it fell down with you inside it.

Best get the Structural Engineer to check the lawn as well in case the tree root are undermining it... it might need underpinning.

IT'S JUST A F***ING DRIVE. YOU PARK YOUR CAR ON IT!!!

Exactly how much will a structural engineers report cost?

As long as it's not effecting the house, who cares????

eggcup

It could be affecting the house. The surveyor has noticed some tiny cracks on the base of the house.

SquatNow

eggcup wrote: »

It could be affecting the house. The surveyor has noticed some tiny cracks on the base of the house.

Then that's a totally different issue.

If you have any doubts at all, just walk away.

It's the biggest purchase you will ever make.

Plenty more houses out there.

Debt_Free_Chick

Where is the tree situated? On whose land?

GDB2222

Actually, removing a large tree can cause heave (opposite of subsidence).

eggcup

The tree is on our boundary and shared with next door. He is elderly and doubt he would pay for it, plus the property is in a conservation area and therefore written notice will have to be obtained from the council re the removal of the tree. The survey notes "The drive requires relaying as it is badly cracked and affected by subsidence. I would recommend that the deciduous tree to the front be kept in check and reduced in height. The tree was supporting a large plate fungus which may indicate that it is not in good condition." The survey further goes on to say "There are fine fractures present to the front of the property, there is a substantial decidous tree on the front boundary which is possibly the cause and which is almost certainly causing subsidence to the driveway."

We will be getting some quotes from structural engineers to carry out a survey, but just wondered if anybody had any quotes on what to suggest our next step should be or whether anybody has been in this position before?

Thanks.

dubsey

Our first property had a few issues picked up in the survey, one of which was a huge willow tree which had been planted way too close to the house and which the survey said 'could' be affecting the drains. The survey still valued the property at the price we had offered and the bank were not bothered by it at all. We, being young and naive just went ahead (partly because we'd also just had our first child and no way could have afforded an engineers report). Have to say though, we never had any issues with it. We sold the house in 2000 and he had a more extensive survey than ours which never mentioned the tree once! He still lives there, the tree is still there and (not that he's ever told us) he's not had any issues.

You are wise to get an engineers report if you are concerned, but what if it comes back that it's ok, will you still be worried or would you accept that? I think you also need to think about what YOU would want. Maybe that's the current owners to rectify the situation before completion, or maybe reduce the price accordingly so you can complete any works needed youself. Wait until the report comes back and then re-assess the situation once you've read it. Good luck!