Seller refuses to pay for unsupported chimney breast - what should I do?

ess0two

Christyt wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses...I veer from feeling bullish to bearish on this one.

The survey threw up some PVC-covered rotting fascias and missing roof tiles too so the bills already look to be mounting beyond what I'd imagined so I should probably aim high.

The only thing holding me back is that there is nothing on the market to choose from if I walk away from this one and they refuse to do a deal. If you don't ask you don't get though right?

Fascias are probably PVC coverboard,a cheaper way of doing the fascia.
The costly part of fascias is removing old fascia etc,they have gone for the cheaper option in covering existing.

Christyt

The surveyor said the rotting timber fascia underneath could affect the joinery underneath... is this something that needs to be sorted out before it causes more serious problems?

One_Day_Rodney

The removal of the chimney breast is subject to building regulations.

Why don't you get your solicitor to request the building reg. approval certificate from the buyer and see what happens?

This request will then go through to the sellers solictor opening up this can o' worms and making it a proper point of negotiation.

Christyt

Funny you should say that - I did that a while back but hadn't heard anything but this afternoon the EA rang me and said they'd found an engineer who'd apparently done some calculations for fixing the chimney breast support in connection with a previous (aborted) plan to get a loft conversion. EA said he reckoned we could use his calculations and should get builder in to cost up job and talk from there. Something seems to be moving.

The survey said missing roof tiles also need replacing and there's a great deal of moss which should be removed as matter of urgency. I mooted this with EA as another issue which I wanted to resolve before buying and he didn't flinch. Does seem to be quite concerened that I still want to buy.

ess0two

Christyt wrote: »

The surveyor said the rotting timber fascia underneath could affect the joinery underneath... is this something that needs to be sorted out before it causes more serious problems?

Just requires the rotting wood removing and fresh fascia board fitting.
Had it done in another house i owned.

Christyt

Thanks essOtwo - was it an expensive job?- this is under roof of two-storey semi. I guess it needs scaffolding?

fraser

might not be too bad a job, our semi had a full gutters and facias inc removal of asbestos bargebaords for £700 - that was up north and approx 6 years ago. Yes to scaffold

Christyt

Cheers fraser - that sounds like a good price!

ajb69

Had the gutters and fascias done in Eastbourne about 5 years back - PVC fascias not just cladding.

Cost about £1k, most of which was for the scaffolding - end of terrace two-storey house with limited side access made it more tricky. Done by a local large building firm (who subcontracted the whole thing, so I am sure I overpaid compared to going direct).

Got the grand off the house price though after the survey.

Cheers

Drew

Edit - if the joinery underneath starts to rot then you do have expensive problems - but I was told the fascias have to have virtually fallen off before you'll get to this state. So while you need to do it, it's generally not an emergency unless it's got into a really bad state - I waited 6 months for the summer weather and it was fine, even though the fascias were black. Salty sea air in Brighton might(?) make a difference if you are on the sea front though (I'm not).

ess0two

Christyt wrote: »

Thanks essOtwo - was it an expensive job?- this is under roof of two-storey semi. I guess it needs scaffolding?

Mine was £1200 inc scaffolding,was also a dormer style semi,with wooden overhang.