Surveys

SGE1

We're in two minds about what sort of survey to get. We've had an offer accepted on a late 1890s terraced cottage. No visual defects spotted when we visited, and according to the agent (who has sold a fair few properties on the street), there are no structural issues on the street, and the only thing likely to come up in a survey is a bit of damp.

Bearing this in mind, is it worth forking out for a full structural survey? We know a builder who is happy to inspect the property and tell us what he thinks. My wallet says sod the full survey, just get a Homebuyer's report; but my brain says invest in the full structural survey.

If it is worthwhile doing a full survey, can anyone recommend how to go about finding/choosing a surveyor? What's the consensus, is it best to get 3 quotes (do surveyors even do quotes?) as you do for solicitors? Would obviously like a chartered one, but other than that, not sure how to go about it.

Advice would be appreciated.

chickmug

House this age definitely a full structural.

The agent will be telling you not worth it for dubious reasons and which are a load of carp. They try and avoid buyers getting surveys as it 'opens a can of worms' when the results are in and cause the agent stress and the possibility of losing the deal.

Many surveyors reckon the whole of their cost and more is recoved from re-negotiating the agreed price down.

Yes ring round a few surveyors from yell.com and ask their charges and look at their web sites and choose one.

SGE1

Thanks. The agent didn't suggest we shouldn't get one, I just asked him what he thought a survey might bring up.

I'm on the RICS website doing a search - assume I should be searching for a 'residential building survey'? Totally daft question no doubt but there are a trillion options and my eyes are glazing over.

chickmug

SGE1 wrote: »

I'm on the RICS website doing a search - assume I should be searching for a 'residential building survey'? Totally daft question no doubt but there are a trillion options and my eyes are glazing over.

Yes residential building survey but only you can go through to find the ones nearest. Unless you give a location ask for reccys from other posters?

In London there are 136 but by the time you get the location right and peek at their web site you should get a shortlist. Some will have costs on their web sites.

Good luck

typeractive

Hi SGE1

I'm in a similar position. The house I'm looking at is circa 1920's. Managed to find out from vendor and EA that the property has rising damp and beetle infestation. The house has been treated for rising damp in 1999 and *should* be covered with guarantee. The spot they refer to is the kitchen - which is a shell, and I know about. Not sure where the woodworm/beetle infestation is exactly.

I've had my builders visit the property twice and they state there is nothing wrong with the property (asides the current kitchen and desperate need for decor :rotfl:). Makes me wonders if it's worth getting any survey at all - the property will be getting rennovated.

I'm going to see what a friend of the family can suggest as they work for a rival EA and might be able to suggest their surveyor - for a more competitive quote. If not I will investigate getting a timber expert in to look at the wood as that's my main concern.

As so many people say it is like insurance - and exactly like you my wallet says - stuff it on the support from my builders, but my brain says - "what if...?"

I might wait on the mortgage lender's valuer turning up and see if they ask for anythign specific in support of their visit.

SGE1

typeractive wrote: »

Hi SGE1

I'm in a similar position. The house I'm looking at is circa 1920's. Managed to find out from vendor and EA that the property has rising damp and beetle infestation. The house has been treated for rising damp in 1999 and *should* be covered with guarantee. The spot they refer to is the kitchen - which is a shell, and I know about. Not sure where the woodworm/beetle infestation is exactly.

I've had my builders visit the property twice and they state there is nothing wrong with the property (asides the current kitchen and desperate need for decor :rotfl:). Makes me wonders if it's worth getting any survey at all - the property will be getting rennovated.

I'm going to see what a friend of the family can suggest as they work for a rival EA and might be able to suggest their surveyor - for a more competitive quote. If not I will investigate getting a timber expert in to look at the wood as that's my main concern.

As so many people say it is like insurance - and exactly like you my wallet says - stuff it on the support from my builders, but my brain says - "what if...?"

I might wait on the mortgage lender's valuer turning up and see if they ask for anythign specific in support of their visit.

Beetle infestation, blimey!

Ours is also in a bit of a state, but no bugs (that I know of, yet...).

I think a full survey is the way to go. Costly, but worth it if only for peace of mind. I've fired out half a dozen emails this evening, we'll see what responses I get...

Our mortgage lender didn't say anything about the valuation, other than 'it's fine, we're sending the offer letter'.

typeractive

SGE1 wrote: »

Beetle infestation, blimey!

Ours is also in a bit of a state, but no bugs (that I know of, yet...).

I think a full survey is the way to go. Costly, but worth it if only for peace of mind. I've fired out half a dozen emails this evening, we'll see what responses I get...

Our mortgage lender didn't say anything about the valuation, other than 'it's fine, we're sending the offer letter'.

Hi

You say your property is in a 'state' - could you be more specific as to what state it is? e.g. bare shell etc / bare walls / no bathroom etc etc etc.

Also what % deposit you're putting down? / LTV? (you don't have to tell us the figure in £££'s of course - I don't mean to be nosey) and which lender you are planning on going with? Could be handy for me / anyone else in similar positions.

Re: the beetle infestation - I searched on here and a lot of surveys report it. I read somehwere it's a posh name for wood rot. Apparently it's a very common problem that is easily treated - I guess it depends how much of a spread there is.
My builder checked all the floor boards and says they're fine. Apparently the floor boards are usually the first signs of such problems in terraced properties and in the 15years he's been working he's never replaced the boards in a terraced property yet due to such a problem. Nice to know - but I guess not as reassuring as a professionals survey.

Cheers.

Patmoore

Well we've just had a full structural done on our 2 bed victorian cottage in West London, dating in the same period as yours. My wife wanted a homebuyers report but I insisted with coughing up the extra ~£200 for the detail.

I'd kick myself if something went belly up later down the line and a full survey would have picked up on it.

HSBC are our lender and quite frankly, they didn't even wait for their survey and sent the offer last week. Strange

typeractive

Thanks for that.

I hope mine also passes. On paper it meets the basic criteria. In terms of LTV I'm putting down 25%. From the banks perspective there should be no worries in them getting there money back if things went wrong (IMO of course).

We'll see what the vakuation is - then look at surveys from there I think.

Soot2006

We got a Homebuyer's survey and it was very complete & highlighted areas that might require further investigation but also gave professional opinion on the urgency of such investigations ... But our house is newer (1950s) and I know lots of houses in the area that were built at the same time so have a fair idea of the general issues ...

queenieplum

If you have the cash then go for full monty, it will be better in the long run :0)