house needing work

54druids

Have seen a house but home report says it suggests a structural survey. The owners live abroad and say that the property is sold as seen and that they don't want to pay for a survey as they are not here to see the problems that warrant a survey. It also concludes that the house has rising damp which would need attending too and woodworm but they have a certificate for the latter. House has been reduced by 37k to reflect this. Question is firstly how much is a structural survey, how much for a damp proof course and thirdly would you stay clear of the house?

snapping_crocodile

Why would they be paying for the survey?...surely it is the purchasers place to pay for this :huh:

G_M

snapping_crocodile wrote: »

Why would they be paying for the survey?...surely it is the purchasers place to pay for this :huh:

Yup. If you, the buyer, want a survey, then you'll have to pay for one!

Full structural survey? £6-800? But best to call some surveyors and get quotes!

Rising damp? Doesn't really exist! If there IS damp you need to find out why. Blocked gutters - £100 to fix. No damp proof course - £2000. and anything in between. See here...

Has woodworm? And a certificate? which? If the worm are active (alive) then what is the certificate for? If they have been treated (killed) then what's the problem?

Edit: Oh, and would I stay clear of the house? Not if it were priced right, I knew what the problems were, had costed the repairs, and wanted a 'project'!

tek-monkey

G_M wrote: »

Has woodworm? And a certificate? which? If the worm are active (alive) then what is the certificate for? If they have been treated (killed) then what's the problem?

Maybe the woodworm passed their GCSEs? Every !!!!!! else did!

No, I'd run, but as stated a number of times I'm not a gambling man!

Running_Horse

Timber and damp guarantees are not worth the paper they are printed on.

Do not rely on them to treat any woodworm.

Although B&Q do tins of woodworm treatment if you are a practical type person.

The only houses I have ever seen sold as seen were derelict slums in Burnley.

54druids

My husband says it needs tanking! Reckons 20 - 30k. Property on the market for 299 but estate agents reckoned in good nick could get 400k. Was 336 couple of months ago. We thought of offering 250k as we reckon needs 100k worth of work in total

Running_Horse

You never know, you might get lucky, or unlucky if it is in as bad a state as you say. I don't expect a house to be in perfect condition, but this one sounds more and more like a nightmare.

Fire_Fox

For pitys sake get a full structural survey done if you are going to throw £100K at the house on top of the £250K asking price. You might finish the works only to find your buyer has a full structural ... and half you work needs ripping out to fix the problem.

andy69_2

If i was you, send a few damp course companies round and get some quotes for that, I did and for my average sized 3 bed semi i got quoted 1360 for a full damp course inc, materials and labour etc etc....