Independent survey - or upgrade mortgage valuation to full structural?

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Hello there
I've had an offer accepted on a house that's around 150 years old and want a full structural survey. I can either choose to have it done by the surveyor appointed by the bank to do their valuation, or instruct a local surveyor.

If I get an independent survey on top of the valuation, it'll cost me around £160 more than going with the bank's surveyor. The reason I ask is that a few years ago I had a full structural done at the same time as the valuation (by the same bank but in a totally different region of the country) and I wasn't all that satisfied. That purchase fell through but I felt the survey wasn't great. However, that might just have been unlucky.

Any thoughts from those in the know on whether it's worth getting an independent survey done from someone I choose? I should say that I am new in the area and have no personal recommendation.

Many thanks.
xx

ladymarmalade1970

I have never had a full structural survey as was advised that they just put down "needs further investigation" for anything that looks slightly dubious. It's to cover themselves apparently. Then you have to get specialists round to check out all the individual bits they have highlighted.

geoffky

Get your own..for the sake of a few hundred it is a peace of mind..money well spent..our is 12 yrs old but i got a full one done for my own peace of mind
Ask some of your neighbours who they used.

G_M

Shouldn't make any difference. The bank's is cheaper as he's already on site doing some of the work whereas your independant guy has to make a special journey just for you and start from scratch.

Ask the bank who they use and speak to the surveyor in advance?

sonastin

In my case, I was aware that there were some problems with the house that wouldn't necessarily be picked up if the valuation survey wasn't that thorough. I reckoned the problems were repairable and I was happy to take on the property with those issues but I didn't want the mortgage lender to know about them if their surveyor wasn't going to notice - I wanted the money to pay for the work, not to cover a mortgage retention. On this basis, the additional £50 or so that the independent survey cost me was money well spent. I found out about a couple more (still not off-putting) issues that even the building inspector still hasn't noticed about the property.

But if you're not necessarily expecting anything to come up, or if you're as likely to want to walk away as the lender is likely to not lend (or reduce the amount they lend) as a result of the survey, that benefit might not be worth £160 to you.

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Thank you for the replies - much appreciated!

Marvel1

I had my own and it costed me £800 but I wanted the re-assurance as this was my first home and going on my own. There was a problem with the roof (can't remember excatly), but then this was done a year after as part of the renewal area scheme and I only paid 10% of the cost.