Exclusions on surveys ?

davethetaller

Hello all,

I am looking to buy a 1930s semi, for cash, and as it is a big lump of money, I want to know the most appropriate survey to buy.

As I understand it from what I have read, the report that perhaps 80% of buyers have, is of no use to me, as it is indicating to the mortgage lender, as to whether the house will realise, at auction for example, the cash that they have advanced.

Please shoot me down if I have got that wrong !

What I basically wish to know, is the name of the survey I require, and as per the heading of this post, what will be EXCLUDED from their testing capabilities.

After the survey has been completed, and they have signed it on the bottom, does it have any legal validity for a period of years ?

Many thanks for that, I await your replies.

poppysarah

Ask them.

You could do a structural report, damp and timber report, electrics and get a gas check on the boiler.

David_Aldred

Hi,
The choice is yours as to which level of survey you have and it would be reckless for anyone here to recommend you have a specific type. Valuation surveys are cheapest as you indicate, middle of the road is Homebuyers or equivalent and in depth is full Structural though do not confuse this with meaning the same as a survey carried out by a structural engineer which is different altogether.

The duty of care owed is the same for each type even if the information you actually get within each varies considerably and that is to undertake that survey and report with reasonable care of a person in their profession.

It is fair to say that the reports poppysarah suggests are often recommended to be undertaken by the surveyor in any case and as the gas, electric, timber, damp, cavity wall tie and perhaps drain surveys are the ones which go into specific detail you might want to have these undertaken first for any property you are interested in, to give you a good idea of its general condition and how much work needs doing. From these you can then judge whether the property is looking favourable for you and consequentially then go on to have a survey undertaken by a Chartered Surveyor.

The reason I say this is because often clients will spend a good few hundred pounds with such surveys with each and every house they are interested in only to have the reports which cost far less come back giving details of problems the client does not wish to take on.

The surveyor will look where there is access for them to look but don't expect them to pull back fitted floor finishes, unscrew loft hatches if sealed that way, move fitted units, empty cupboards, inspect inside wall cavities, go under suspended timber floors or look at anything external they cannot see from ground level / standard collapsible surveying ladders as they will ask for reports from others to inspect where they did not or could not look.

Yes they are liable for their reports and advice contained therein for a number of years which is often quoted as 6 for negligence but this can vary with each case, whether you had the knowledge to be aware of the problem, when it would be reasonable for you to become aware of it etc. I would always recommend having a survey at which ever level you feel is right for you rather than not having one at all because the amount you are spending is huge compared to the cost of even the most in depth survey and though it may not always be easy to chase a surveyor for negligence if they get things wrong it is better than not being able to chase anyone at all. Hope this helps, kindest regards David Aldred Independent damp and timber surveyor.

davethetaller

David_Aldred wrote: »

Hi,
The choice is yours as to which level of survey you have and it would be reckless for anyone here to recommend you have a specific type. Valuation surveys are cheapest as you indicate, middle of the road is Homebuyers or equivalent and in depth is full Structural though do not confuse this with meaning the same as a survey carried out by a structural engineer which is different altogether.

The duty of care owed is the same for each type even if the information you actually get within each varies considerably and that is to undertake that survey and report with reasonable care of a person in their profession.

It is fair to say that the reports poppysarah suggests are often recommended to be undertaken by the surveyor in any case and as the gas, electric, timber, damp, cavity wall tie and perhaps drain surveys are the ones which go into specific detail you might want to have these undertaken first for any property you are interested in, to give you a good idea of its general condition and how much work needs doing. From these you can then judge whether the property is looking favourable for you and consequentially then go on to have a survey undertaken by a Chartered Surveyor.

The reason I say this is because often clients will spend a good few hundred pounds with such surveys with each and every house they are interested in only to have the reports which cost far less come back giving details of problems the client does not wish to take on.

The surveyor will look where there is access for them to look but don't expect them to pull back fitted floor finishes, unscrew loft hatches if sealed that way, move fitted units, empty cupboards, inspect inside wall cavities, go under suspended timber floors or look at anything external they cannot see from ground level / standard collapsible surveying ladders as they will ask for reports from others to inspect where they did not or could not look.

Yes they are liable for their reports and advice contained therein for a number of years which is often quoted as 6 for negligence but this can vary with each case, whether you had the knowledge to be aware of the problem, when it would be reasonable for you to become aware of it etc. I would always recommend having a survey at which ever level you feel is right for you rather than not having one at all because the amount you are spending is huge compared to the cost of even the most in depth survey and though it may not always be easy to chase a surveyor for negligence if they get things wrong it is better than not being able to chase anyone at all. Hope this helps, kindest regards David Aldred Independent damp and timber surveyor.

Many, many thanks for your reply David, sorry about my delay, you seem to be a busy chap on this forum !

I think that I will be going for a "Homebuyers Report" ; as I understand it, it should be done by a RICS surveyor. Is there much competition at this time in the market, what sort of price should I expect to achieve in the northwest of England?

Many thanks.

sonastin

I got quotes from the reallymoving and localsurveyor websites for both homebuyers and full survey for a £180k property in the North West. Quotes were coming back at between £250 - 450 for homebuyers and £300 - 800 for full survey. Didn't get to the point of instructing a surveyor before the purchase fell through but had lots of phone calls from surveyors chasing the work and undercutting their online quotes. I believe with the shortage of sales in the area, the surveyors are looking for something to keep them busy...