Damp problems..

notsogeordie

Hi.. wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this..Im a bit useless in the home buying business!

Ive had an offer accpeted on a house i like, its was on for 249,950, they accepted 240,000.
Ive had my home buyer survery done and there is some damp detected. I still dont have the full report yet.
I had asked about damp proofing before I put the offer, andthe vender stated they never had a damp proof course, they moved in the property 8 years ago, and have not had problems. On this basis I put in the offer.

What should I do? renegotiate? ask them to do the work? or both?
If I do renegotiate price.. how much by?

ANY ADVICE would be great

Thanks!

oneeye1

stay away i am a plasterer and do damp proof jobs and its a massive undertaking and can be a lot worse than first thought .unless you have money to burn and you can have all the work done whilst not living there dont do it. believe me

skint_chick

First things first - once you get the full report then I would get a damp specialist in - preferably by recommendation (not the estate agent you're buying through). They can tell you exactly what the issue is and how much it'll cost to fix. Most mortgage valuers mention damp in their reports as an a** covering exercise and the number of readings they do tend to be a lot smaller than a damp specialist who can check all the walls at several points.

Then you can see where things stand - I bought a house with rising damp in the whole ground floor and it only cost £1500 to get a new dampproof course in and get replastered - but the mess and dust was a nightmare and it takes a long time to get rid of all the dust as it settles everywhere:mad:

It's unlikely the vendor will want to do the work because of the mess/hassle but depending on the level of interest in the house you might be able to knock the cost of the dampproofing off your offer

HTH

oneeye1

1500 plus new skirtings and floor coverings and redecorating and thats the best case scenario unless you get big discount stay awy

jhe

we employed a damp proof firm to inspect and give a written survey of the property we are hoping to buy , it cost us £35.

jhe

our quote was for £550 for quite a few walls to be damp proofed. the skirting boards and floorboards were tested and do not need replacement, they have to be removed and obviously during treatment,this includes a guarantee and certificate and is from a reputable firm

chappers

speculating on cost and the extent of works needed to be done is pointless.How long is a piece of string.
Could be a serious underlying damp problem could be from a leaky down pipe.

jhe

i agree chappers. was just trying to say its not always a massive problem and expense, until anyone gets a damp proof survey and quotes done like you say nobody knows.

notsogeordie

Thanks everyone!
The surveyor over the phone, said that he couldnt assess properly the problem because of furniture against the walls and carpets..

I dont have a penny extra to spend after depostit,EA fees, stamp duty, etc..

Do you think, that if the problem isnt too extensive and remediable, i should ask the sellers to pay the stamp duty?

Should I really step away from a property i love because of the mention of damp?

oneeye1

problem is jhe if damp has reared its ugly head in one part of your house get ready for the next phase ive seen it all and heard it all but the bottom line is damp can be a big big problem and believe me 5oo£ doesnt sound like a reputable company im sorry to say the correct chemicals can cost hundreds alone never mind labour and materials its a minefield let it be someone elses problem

oneeye1

plus ive rarely altho i have seen it seen old skirts come off neatly. some firms go in low and batter you with extras once nthere in i know its not right but it happens