Full Structural Survey - NatWest any good? Or Independent?

NickDurham

I've heard some stories on MSE lately about structural surveys organised through mortgage providers not being as comprehensive or helpful (photos, detailed reports, etc.). Just wondering whether anyone has any experience of full structural surveys organised through NatWest. The other option is to ge the basic valuation through them and then get a full structural survey independently. Any suggestions? If NatWest's one is decent then I'd just go with them to save the hassle.

silvercar

Personally I would ask around and arrange a private full structural survey through a recommended surveyor. Only if that is acceptable would I then pay for a lender's valuation.

NickDurham

silvercar wrote: »

Personally I would ask around and arrange a private full structural survey through a recommended surveyor. Only if that is acceptable would I then pay for a lender's valuation.

So if I get the full structural survey organised by the lender is that going to be less good than one organised by myself? If they do the survey does that affect the valuation? Basically, I'm wondering what the advantage of getting the FSS done independently are compared to instructing the lender to commission one at the same time as the valuation.

cattie

With your own structural surveyor you can ask that they pay particular attention to any particular detail of property than you may be concerned about.

The only benefit in using same surveyor as lender is that you can sometimes save money because the survey you want costs less this way.

silvercar

I've found that lenders try and fob you off with home buyers reports rather than FSS.

NickDurham

An additional question: is it always advisable to go for a RICS firm of surveyors if you do decide to go independently?

Sammy85_2

It depends on what you want?

We got a homebuyers report from Natwest. Wasnt the best valuation, but we used it to get a reduction from the price.

The report has arrived and is fairly comprehensive. Not many photos, but then i know what the house looks like anyway? The write-up alone is more than adequate.

I asked Natwest about just a valuation and was told it would be a "drive-by". The surveyors themselves told me that a full structural survey is the same as their homebuyers but they take a builder with them.

I know from our experience, had the valuation come back spot on the purchase price, and we had had a private survey which valued less, our vendors would have been more reluctant to budge on the price.

They only negociated with us because that was all the money the bank would give and there was no other option except to let the sale fall through.

Good luck

NickDurham

Sammy85 wrote: »

It depends on what you want?

We got a homebuyers report from Natwest. Wasnt the best valuation, but we used it to get a reduction from the price.

The report has arrived and is fairly comprehensive. Not many photos, but then i know what the house looks like anyway? The write-up alone is more than adequate.

I asked Natwest about just a valuation and was told it would be a "drive-by". The surveyors themselves told me that a full structural survey is the same as their homebuyers but they take a builder with them.

I know from our experience, had the valuation come back spot on the purchase price, and we had had a private survey which valued less, our vendors would have been more reluctant to budge on the price.

They only negociated with us because that was all the money the bank would give and there was no other option except to let the sale fall through.

Good luck

Thanks sammy, that's a help! :beer:
One thing I've been wondering: if you get a FSS or homebuyers with the lenders, is that likely to mean your valuation from them will be lower if they find things that need doing? I mean, lower than the valuation they would have given had it just been the basic "drive-by" job?

Strapped

Personally, I'd go independent, and did when we bought this place 2 years ago. I was pleased with the service and the surveyor was very "available" to chat to both before and after the survey (before to tell him what we had concerns about, and after to get his impressions straight away without waiting for the official write-up, and to guage what he really thought vs what he has to put in a report to cover his !!!). This was buying an old cottage which as you can imagine had a looooong list of "issues". If you happen to be in the South West I can recommend the firm.

NickDurham

Strapped wrote: »

Personally, I'd go independent, and did when we bought this place 2 years ago. I was pleased with the service and the surveyor was very "available" to chat to both before and after the survey (before to tell him what we had concerns about, and after to get his impressions straight away without waiting for the official write-up, and to guage what he really thought vs what he has to put in a report to cover his !!!). This was buying an old cottage which as you can imagine had a looooong list of "issues". If you happen to be in the South West I can recommend the firm.

North East I'm afraid! Thanks for the advice though - really helpful! :beer: Was the firm you chose RICS regulated? I've found a cheap one up here that looks OK, but it doesn't say RICS regulated - not sure if it's a good idea to go with them.

Sammy85_2

If i were you i would use a RICS regulated surveyor.

Would you go to a doctor who wasnt certified to practice medicine ??

lol