Survey Help Please

jessopd

Hi

I am purchasing a property for £200k, the mortgage vaulation survey has been done and the Mortgage company are happy with it. The property needs updating inside as the previous owner was an OAP who sadly passed away, and the house hasnt been decorated or new kitchen/bathroom in years. It has a double storey extension on the back.

Anyway my question is as follows.

I think i should consider getting a structial survey for peace of mind, i have been given quotes £400-500. i have also been offered from 1 place that as it is for peace of mind rather than for Mortgage reasons they would initially come to the property with me and do a "verbal" survey with me pointing out things that would need doing etc and only carry out a full structial survey if they notice anything bad that would need a written report. The cost of this would be £150.00 and if a full structial survey is required after then they will take this £150.00 off of the £450.00 cost.

This to me seems like a good idea having a qualified surveyer come to the house with me and seeing if he feels anything major needs doing, without initially having to pay out £400-£500 for a full structial survey

Has anyone had this done before or anyone got any opinions on this

MX5huggy

Sounds like a good plan.

1399steve

Sounds like a great idea - I'd have much rather been there with the surveyor when my survey was being done so I could ask questions on-site, rather than having to wait for a report. You'll probably get a much better feel for the scale of any potential issues this way as well.

sonastin

Check what sort of indemnity the surveyor is willing to offer. The point of a structural survey (apart from finding out if there are hidden nasties) is that you have some comeback against a professional who is being paid to find the hidden nasties if he doesn't find any and they appear after you bought. The cynic in me says that you could pay this guy £150, he takes a cursory look at the house and says "nah, I think its all fine", you don't bother with the proper survey and then find that there's a swimming pool-sized puddle under your floor (example borrowed from an earlier thread!) and try to contact the surveyor. His response - don't know what you're talking about not my problem you should have had a proper survey.

On the other hand, could be completely up front and honest and what you're paying for is the "experienced builder friend" that a lot of people advise taking on viewings where the level of work needed isn't clear.

For me, I'd just go ahead and get the full survey. The consequences of not paying the extra couple of hundred quid could end up costing sooooooooo much more that I don't think its worth taking the chance. Its the most expensive thing you're ever going to buy. I'd want to know as much about it as possible before committing myself to buying it.