Survey in- opinions please

tiggerjj

Hi guys,
I am a FTB and trying to work out the results of my survey, a homebuyer survey.

These are the point that were brought up...

Areas requiring immediate attention: Obtain specialist advice regarding upgrading the electrics. (Im guessing he found the fuse box then, I know that needs replacing and am getting an elec to have a look at the whole thing)

Future repair or renewal considerations:
1 Felt flat roof on extension will have limited life and early replacement should be anticipated
2 Chimney stack requires overhaul
3 ideally ground levels should be reduced to lessen likiehood of damp penetrations
4 minor overhaul to renders, small cracks
5 some general maintainence to doors and windows
6 old lead pipe replaced

later on in the report he mentions...
some wood rot noticed in bathroom skirting boards
dampness found in some areas in ktichen walls, bathroom walls and is likely to have caused rot

house is a 1920's mid terrace.

Any opinions most welcome, should i be worrying as much as i am or is this normal for an older house??

Thanks in advance

Fire_Fox

Doesn't sound too serious to me, you should get a reputable builder to quote.

tiggerjj

My plan...

Electrics are being looked at
Gas Safety test will be done as one has not been done for a long time
Damp side of things, a company will do a survey and a report, for free, so I know they will be touting for work.....

Anything else?
How much does a chimney overhaul cost??

Milliewilly

tiggerjj wrote: »

My plan...

Electrics are being looked at
Gas Safety test will be done as one has not been done for a long time
Damp side of things, a company will do a survey and a report, for free, so I know they will be touting for work.....

Anything else?
How much does a chimney overhaul cost??

Depends whats involved - re-pointing or lead flashing etc? Can't see it being horrifically expensive.

Did the surveyor actually go on the roof or just look with binoculars? The survey on mine from which my buyers pulled out said all the ridge tiles were loose and needed replacing. I had some chimney caps (which I agree were needed and cost the dizzying heights of £90 for all 3) put on at the weekend and the ridge tiles are all fine.

tiggerjj

As I am in Jamaica and the house is in Wales I dont now know if the surveyor went on the roof unfortunately

Sammy85_2

It sounds like exactly the same report i got on my 1960's house!

I think alot of the points raised are just general points found in any property of age.

Check the electric & gas is common, as he isnt qualified to give proper testing on it, and flat roofs have a shortish life span on them. Covering his !!!!! really.. not really helpful to you im afraid, i wouldnt be too concerned.

tiggerjj

Sammy85, thats is basically the crux of my question, how much of this is wrong with my house, how much of this is normal for the age and how much is he covering his !!!!

Electrics and Gas I would have always got tested but maybe not at this stage.....

G_M

tiggerjj wrote: »

Hi guys,
Obtain specialist advice regarding upgrading the electrics. (Im guessing he found the fuse box then, I know that needs replacing and am getting an elec to have a look at the whole thing)Probobly covering himself as he's not an electrician. Is the wiring old? Easy to tell by age of fittings (lightswitches/plugs) and fusebox. get electrician to check If whole house needs re-wiring £1-2K.

Future repair or renewal considerations:
1 Felt flat roof on extension will have limited life and early replacement should be anticipatedStandard stuff. Flat roofs have shorter lifespan. Might be 1 year might be 15. Cost depends on size... He doesn't actually say it's in poor state/leaking though.
2 Chimney stack requires overhaul get a builder up there. Bit of pointing/flashing. £100?
3 ideally ground levels should be reduced to lessen likiehood of damp penetrations Buy yourself a spade. 2 hours 'garden work'.
4 minor overhaul to renders, small cracks get a builder up there. Bit of pointing. £100?
5 some general maintainence to doors and windows Rub down and paint. DIY for £20 or pay someone £50.
6 old lead pipe replaced Where? 20 meters mains from road through front garden and under house to rear kitchen? problem! expensive! Short bit of internal pipework? peanuts. Get surveyer to explain!

later on in the report he mentions...
some wood rot noticed in bathroom skirting boards Find the cause. One-off bath overflow no prob. leaking pipe somewhere? £100 to plumber
dampness found in some areas in ktichen walls, bathroom walls and is likely to have caused rot Hmmm. read this. Cause? Maybe that 'ground levels should be reduced....' bit from above! Solve that and no more damp!

house is a 1920's mid terrace.

Any opinions most welcome, should i be worrying as much as i am or is this normal for an older house?? Most of this is pretty standard and minor in an old house.

Thanks in advance

Hope this helps

tiggerjj

G_M that is very useful thanks,
I will be doing as much of the DIY as possible...........

tiggerjj

Interesting article and im sure the "report" from the damp man will be even more interesting! I was already aware of the whole damp thing, eyes are open so to speak.......

JA1000

tiggerjj wrote: »

As I am in Jamaica and the house is in Wales I dont now know if the surveyor went on the roof unfortunately

Why the hell come back!! I survey it's hotter where you are so stay.