Full Structural Survey - Do we need one?

jimbugalee

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I have just bought a house. We've paid the mortgage company to do the standard survey (not home buyers report).

We assumed we didn't need the Home Buyers Report as we're pretty much renovating/replacing everything in there so for someone to tell us it needs new windows is not much use! But I am open to opinions on this as we're not entirely sure what this survey involves - maybe it would be useful?

So .... do we need a structural survey for the things we can't see? There was mention that this could help us negotiate on price? We've already had our offer accepted. What does this survey include?

Also what are we looking to pay? I know it varies on location etc but we've had quotes from £400 to £650?!

Any advice much appreciated.

princessamy86

£400 to £650 sounds about right, I think if you're going for an all out renovation then it would be helpful to you-you don't want to start ripping stuff out and discover that the dirt has been holding the walls up!! It might well help you negotiate on price, at the end of the day anyone else who has the survey done will come back with the same issues, in terms of making sure you can budget for everything I would say it was definitely worthwhile. I agree that homebuyers wouldn't really tell you enough, it's up to you really! If you think there might be cause for concern on the structure then it's definitely worth it, might flag things up that you never even considered. However, don't assume the vendor will want to negotiate if you drop your offer, sometimes it's not received all that well.

jimbugalee

Thank youo princess. Yes, I don't think we'll get very far with the negotiation as we're buying off housing association and they had a fixed price and wouldn't go any less.

We're pretty sure about the main structure (the house is 30's) but it was more the roof, the loft, drains, damp that we wouldn't be able to tell ourselves.

I guess it all comes down to money in the end otherwise we wouldn't hesitate!

If anyone could give me a list of what the survey should include (just the main points!)

Many thanks

Conrad

A full survey tends to give you the greatest come back in event Surveyor misses something. The come back on a basic valuation is zero and a Homebuyer will likely contain clauses that limit liability, for example with wording such as 'we strongly recommend the applicant considers a full structural survey in order to satisfy themselves the property is what they expect'.

Even a full structural could contain caveats such as; 'Although no defects were found to be visible, we recommend you consider a detailed Engineers assesment'!!

As for a list of whats covered, I think you should check out a Surveyors website as the list can be long.

As for damp, roofs and such like, a Surveyor may well again refer you to specialists anyway, for thier opinion.

princessamy86

Think you're best bet would be to have a ring round a few surveyors and ask what they cover in their structural reports, then you can see if this will be helpful to you. Also you can get prices and compare who's going to give you the most thorough survey for the lowest price. If you go on www.rics.co.uk there is a list of approved RICS surveyors-these people have to adhere to a code of conduct so much less likely for you to get ripped off!

jimbugalee

Thank you Conrad.

I have just spoken to a surveyor who was recommended by the mortage company. He said he wouldn't recommend (although we are welcome to have one!) a full survey for a house of that period that hasn't had any extensions etc.

He also explained to me what the home buyers report contained including:
[FONT=&quot]Guy comes round has 9 ft ladder, anything else he uses binoculars[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Checks tiles, guttering, brickwork insulation[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Energy use, recommended gas, electricity services etc[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Valuation on the property[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Goes round every room with a damp monitor or whatever they’re called[/FONT]


to me this sounds more like what we need?
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

Richard_Webster

If you use the mortgage lender's surveyor then make sure it is a proper Homebuyer's Report (the "mid-level" one), (or full Building Survey - the more detailed one) as one or two lenders (e.g. Halifax ) have their own "mid-level" survey which is much more in point form with not nearly as much explanation as in a reasonable Homebuyer's Report.

jimbugalee

Thank you Richard - I will check.