house survey result, flagged up solid floor movement

noel632

Ive had an offer accepted on a house and the survey flagged up the following report.

A structural engineers report is requested with regards to structural movement noted to the solid floor. Structural engineer to verify the presence of sulphate attack or other similar defect and define expenditure in terms of renewal of concrete floors.

Is this bad?
Would the sub flooring be expensive to replace.?
Ive been quoted £350+vat by structural engineer to go in and take samples which will take 4-5 weeks to come back.
If sulphate is found floor and subfloor will have to come out and be replaced.

heretohelp

If the floor is loose why waste £400 on a report that is going to say take the floor up. i would put that money towards a new floor.

noel632

I need the report doing in order to get the mortgage though.
It is frustrating having to pay close to £400 just to tell me whether it needs doing or not.
Anyone have a rough estimate at the cost? its a 3 bedroom ex council through terrace or town house.

mikey72

It's bad. If it's sulphate it will probably cost thousands to replace, will a probable retention on the mortgage, who will most likely insist on a full survey anyway.
The good side is it will reduce the value of the house selling price to you.
(You typed the above as I was replying to the first post)

noel632

In that case I'll probably get the survey done, at least then I'll know the cost for improvements if any are needed, and if the seller isn't prepared to drop their price according to the cost of repairs I'll pull out.
I'm just a bit apprehensive, there has been a few houses sold close by to this one and surely their all constructed the same and I haven't seen any of their floors being replaced.

dougk_2

I would be asking the seller to get the survey done and pay for it!

Fire_Fox

I agree: it's a buyers market - ask the seller to pay for the report or say you will have to withdraw your offer as you can't get a mortgage.

mikey72

Ask the seller the question about the floor, round here it was mainly several ex council estates, many were done as council owned properties.
Google "red ash"

27col

If you pay for the survey and then decide not to go ahead, you are the one out of pocket. If they really want to sell, then it seems to me that that vendor should pay so that they can present you with a house that has a clean bill of health. If they will not, then walk away. Your money will be welcomed elsewhere.