Decisions, decisions...

Mamabear

If you were buying a house without a mortgage and there were no RICS surveyors that offered a full survey in the area, would you go for a full survey with a not RICS surveyor or for a 12-16 page homebuyers report from an RICS type chappie?

Why is life so complicated???

princessamy86

I think it depends on what type of house: a fairly recently built one, probably stick to a homebuyers, if it's old then a full one might be better as there are more likely to be problems. However, problems can occur anywhere! Whereabouts are you? And what type of house is it?

Mamabear

Hi I'm in the Lincs wilds (as opposed to Wolds)

Its a 1950's built semi mostly level feeling but has some really dodgy replacement pointing that we'd like someone cleverer-than-us to look at.

BTW that was an astonishingly quick reply

princessamy86

It caught my eye! Replacement pointing? Don't ask a surveyor, ask a builder. One you trust or one that you have a recommendation for, it's more than likely all a surveyor will do is say that you should get specialist advice. A lot of investors I deal with work like that, trust their own eyes to spot faults and then get a builder/electrician/plumber whatever to come and have a better look. Don't forget they have a vested interest in telling you there is something wrong as they will get work out of it, so make sure they are reputable.

dirtmother

Get a full building survey done by someone prepared to travel? It was coincidence but our surveys were done by surveyors local to us when the places surveyed were 70 miles away. It is possible that there's a lack of local knowledge downside to this - I don't know. The surveys weren't particularly expensive for FBS. But we were looking at places over 100 years old.

princessamy86

http://www.ricsfirms.com/vw/search/results.aspx don't know if any of these are close enough to you, but surely one of them will travel?

Mamabear

Thanks folks, I spent Friday and yesterday phoning surveyors and have talked to the RICS office for local recommendations but the local RICS people don't (or won't) offer a structural survey - apparently there is no demand in the area - and the people that will offer a 'full structural' arent RICS...

Aaargh

silvercar

I can't understand why a RICS surveyor prepared to do a homebuyers report wouldn't be prepared to do a structural survey.

A full structural survey will give you a fallback if you needed to sue for them missing something important. Whoever you use should have professional indemnity insurance.

Mamabear

silvercar wrote: »

I can't understand why a RICS surveyor prepared to do a homebuyers report wouldn't be prepared to do a structural survey.

I concur. I was starting to wonder if it was me