Problems with surveys at both ends!!!!

shazzy1773

I'm beginning to hate the two words "Homebuyers Survey"

Were having problems with them on both sides - the sale of our property and the purchase of our "so called" new house.

For our property (2 bed terrace) the survey came back with damp, cavity wall ties at the front of the property, guttering, roof needs checking further, and a few air bricks that are needed for sub floor ventilation. We've had a specialist builder come out and using their survey details he checked out all the area's of concern. All but the roof are the area's that do need some attention - he specially said the roof is fine, so his quote for the work needed is just under £1400.00 We are prepared take the full cost of the work needed off the agreed selling price and have said so, but our purchasers (FTB's) want £2500.00 to come off the agreed sale price! They still are adamant we have a problem with the roof!!

Now on to the property we “were” looking to buy (2 bed bungalow with converted attic). Our survey was carried out yesterday, so I called him today to just get a quick idea on how it went and his exact words were:
“it’s a very run down property and I have a few major concerns but the biggest being the kitchen extension, it’s very badly done” I had to ask him just to confirm which house it was he went to! It does need a new Kitchen & bathroom(very tiny downstairs one) but I wouldn’t have described it as run down. I beginning to doubt my own judgement now, rose coloured glasses and all that.

dander

Is he referring to the building work, rather than the interior. If it's to do with quality of build it may be things you wouldn't have noticed when you viewed because you were so busy looking at the kitchen units!

I'd recommend booking in another viewing once you've got the survey results and go round with the survey, having a good look at everything he mentions. Even if you don't know much about buildings, it really helps to get your head around what you're taking on.

silvercar

On your property, I think £1400 is a generous offer. Parties often agree to meet half way as no-one expects a perfect survey.

As to your purchase, it depends how cautious a surveyor he is, they all seem to be covering their backs. I would re-visit when you have the survey in your hands.

(I'm having a full structural (older property with new extension) done on my purchase on Monday simultaneously my buyers are having a full structural done on mine (1960s). I'm going to be a bag of nerves.)

tazgirl

I also think you're being generous offering to take the whole price of the work off for your buyers - we're in the middle of buying a property where similar things have come up on survey, and we'd bite their hands off if they offered to pay for it. Then again, we're not FTBs so probably a bit more chilled about things?

It might be that because you organised the builder who quoted that they're thinking it's a friend of yours or something's suspect that he's said the roof doesn't need doing - now you and I know that this is rubbish (and again, having spent all week trying to find a builder who can do us a quote before this time next year, I'd love our vendors to organise it for us!), but perhaps they'd feel more comfortable if you suggested they get a second opinion from a builder who they've contacted/arranged??

(BTW, out of that 1400, how much is for the airbricks?? Might be very useful info for us!!)

silvercar

Airbricks are cheap - big hammer to knock existing brick out, shove new brick in with a bit of cement round the edges!

shazzy1773

It might be that because you organised the builder who quoted that they're thinking it's a friend of yours or something's suspect that he's said the roof doesn't need doing - now you and I know that this is rubbish (and again, having spent all week trying to find a builder who can do us a quote before this time next year, I'd love our vendors to organise it for us!), but perhaps they'd feel more comfortable if you suggested they get a second opinion from a builder who they've contacted/arranged??

(BTW, out of that 1400, how much is for the airbricks?? Might be very useful info for us!!)

The builder was arranged by our Estate agent so yes they could be thinking that.

For the airbricks we've been quoted £150.00 + vat - i must admit i think that's quite a lot for just knocking out a few bricks and re-placing them with the the air bricks.

shazzy1773

silvercar wrote:

On your property, I think £1400 is a generous offer. Parties often agree to meet half way as no-one expects a perfect survey.

As to your purchase, it depends how cautious a surveyor he is, they all seem to be covering their backs. I would re-visit when you have the survey in your hands.

(I'm having a full structural (older property with new extension) done on my purchase on Monday simultaneously my buyers are having a full structural done on mine (1960s). I'm going to be a bag of nerves.)

We have to draw the line some where, so we've deceided that because we're covering the full costs of the known work to be done to date, were not prepaired to pay out for any more. So if they do get a second opinion on the roof and something does come to light, they will have to take that one on themselves.

Wickedkitten

shazzy1773 wrote:

The builder was arranged by our Estate agent so yes they could be thinking that.

For the airbricks we've been quoted £150.00 + vat - i must admit i think that's quite a lot for just knocking out a few bricks and re-placing them with the the air bricks.

£150+VAT??? :eek:


You may be wanting to get some more quotes from other builders before doing the work.

puffinmuffin

Hey,
I think your buyers are being unreasonable. Sometimes FTBs get convinced that the ball is in their court and try to squeeze you. we are about to complete on our first property, the survey flagged up 2k worth of work, most of this is replacing the lintels which the surveyor and a builder said were inadequate. we were more that happy to meet the vendors halfway on this (they were reluctant to stump up anything but we stood our ground as another survey had been done recently so it can't have been a surprise)

Re your property, have another visit, maybe bring someone with no emotional attchment to help you?

puffinmuffin

shazzy1773 wrote:

The builder was arranged by our Estate agent so yes they could be thinking that.

ps We had our survey findings checked by a buider arranged by the vendors EA and he came up with the same figure which we accepted.

Tahiti

I'd suggest (via the EA) that the buyer gets some quotes and comes back to you once they have received independent costings.

To be honest, I wouldn't expect to have to agree to the full cost of repairs, and for the buyers to be after another £1k, they're trying their luck.

As for the "new house", I'd run through the precise issues with the surveyor. If he has problems with the quality of the actual extension construction, then you need to know what and why before you can know whether you can afford to stick with it...

Hope you get it sorted soon!