Home Buyers Report Received but confused

happy_2008

Received the home buyers report but slight confused on what to do, any advise:

Central heating, electrics were all mentioned as category 3 meaning need replacement or checking ASAP. I assume they only list this as category 3 due to the age of boiler and electrics hence the need for testing.

However, the report highlighted the following for Category 2:

Roof - The main roof is of timber frame construction clad externally with interlocking concrete tiles.It was not raining at the time of inspection and there may be leaks or defects which only become apparent during periods of heavy rain. The roof surfaces are generally level and free of significant distortion. There are two metal lined valley gutters at the junction to the front gable roof of the front roof slope. Mortar pointing to the tiles adjacent to the valley has become dislodged and some repointing is now considered necessary. Mortar pointing to the ridge tiles is weathered but appears in acceptable condition for its age

Outside Doors incl porch - The front and rear porch doors appear to be of stained hardwood construction with large glazed panels to top an bottom. Glazing to the rear porch appears to be toughened or laminated however the glass in the front porch door does not. We would advise you to arrange for the glazing to be replaced with toughened or laminated safety glass. This is particular important if children are present in the household. The decorative finishes to both front and rear porch doors is flaking and in poor condition. Early redecoration will be required. The front door is weak and consideration should be given to upgrading toe door with a more secure item. The internal entrance doors to the front and rear are of UPVC double glazed construction. The doors appeared generally sound however the handle to the front requires some attention.

Conservatory and porches - The porch to the front elevation is of blockwork and timber single glazed construction under a tiled roof. The roof tiles and rainwater goods appear in generally acceptable condition. The external timbers require redecoration. The rear porch structure is of timber framed single glazed construction under a flat fibreglass roof covering. The flashing at the junction of the roof covering with the rear wall comprises a self adhesive tape. This is an inferior form of construction and ideally the tape flashing should be replaced with a correctly detailed lead flashing. Evidence of rot has been noted to the rear cill to the rear left corner. The rot affected section requires to be cut out and renewed. The decorative finishes are failing and early redecoration will be required. It is important that external timbers are regularly redecorated to prevent the ingress of moisture and onset of rot.

Joinery & Finishes - Gutterboards and soffits around the property appear to be of softwood. They appear in reasonable condition however the decorative finishes are lifting and early redecoration will be required. It is important that external softwood is regularly redecorated to prevent the ingress of moisture and onset of rot

Roof Structure - Access to the roof void is gained by a hatch located in the first floor landing ceiling. The presence of a large quantity of stored items within the roof area significantly reduced our inspection. The roof is of trussed rafter configuration. Modern trussed rafter configuration consisting of softwood bracing and binding members jointed with steel toothed plate fasteners. There is no diagonal timber bracing across the trusses as would be required under current regulations. Given that the property has survived the storms of the late 1980's and 1990's without apparent major defect we do not consider subsequent inclusion of these elements to be paramount although in the future their installation would be prudent. It would appear when the property was originally constructed the developers were one trussed rafter short. In place of the missing trussed rafter two conventional rafters have been provided. These have been supported on timber noggins. Although no evidence of significant distortion has been noted some additional stiffening of the roof frame would be advantageous and further advice should be obtained from a Structural Engineer or Chartered Building Surveyor. The level of insulation within the roof space is inadequate. The current minimum recommended level of insulation is 270mm of glass fibre quilting laid between, and over the ceiling joists. We would advise you to arrange for the level of insulation present to be improved. We were unable to view the underside of the tiles due to the presence of sarking felt. The sarking felt appears in satisfactory condition. The cold water storage tank and central heating header tanks are located within the roof space. They are adequately insulated and appear in reasonable condition
for their age.



The property was built around 1985 but im wondering if these issues will cost alot to fix?

BitterAndTwisted

Probably not. None of the issues mentioned in that report seem out of the ordinary to me. All properties require maintenance of some description from time to time but it sounds like the current owners haven't been particularly interested in taking good care of their investment.

happy_2008

This line was a bit scary

Although no evidence of significant distortion has been noted some additional stiffening of the roof frame would be advantageous and further advice should be obtained from a Structural Engineer or Chartered Building Surveyor.

martinthebandit

Seems pretty standard surveyor covering his own a** speak to me, I cannot see anything in there that would particularly concern me.

happy_2008

So is this the norms of the home buyers report?

G_M

happy_2008 wrote: »

Roof - The main roof is of timber frame construction clad externally with interlocking concrete tiles.It was not raining at the time of inspection and there may be leaks or defects which only become apparent during periods of heavy rain. The roof surfaces are generally level and free of significant distortion. There are two metal lined valley gutters at the junction to the front gable roof of the front roof slope. Mortar pointing to the tiles adjacent to the valley has become dislodged and some repointing is now considered necessary. Mortar pointing to the ridge tiles is weathered but appears in acceptable condition for its age

So the roof is basically fine but you need an odd-job-man to do a bit of re-pointing for £50-100 at some point.

Outside Doors incl porch - The front and rear porch doors appear to be of stained hardwood construction with large glazed panels to top an bottom. Glazing to the rear porch appears to be toughened or laminated however the glass in the front porch door does not. We would advise you to arrange for the glazing to be replaced with toughened or laminated safety glass. It's been like that for years. OK, nowadays doors like this have toughened glassThis is particular important if children are present in the household. Have you got boisturous 10 year olds who will run headlong into the glass?The decorative finishes to both front and rear porch doors is flaking and in poor condition. Early redecoration will be required.Well you know this cos you've viewed the house! Bit of gloss paint one weekend. The front door is weak and consideration should be given to upgrading toe door with a more secure item.Fair enough. When money is available or if you are security-paranoid, get a new door The internal entrance doors to the front and rear are of UPVC double glazed construction. The doors appeared generally sound however the handle to the front requires some attention.

Conservatory and porches - The porch to the front elevation is of blockwork and timber single glazed construction under a tiled roof. The roof tiles and rainwater goods appear in generally acceptable condition. The external timbers require redecoration. The rear porch structure is of timber framed single glazed construction under a flat fibreglass roof covering. The flashing at the junction of the roof covering with the rear wall comprises a self adhesive tape. This is an inferior form of construction and ideally the tape flashing should be replaced with a correctly detailed lead flashing. Again, materials develop all the time. If you want the best/most up-to-date, then replace, but no real needEvidence of rot has been noted to the rear cill to the rear left corner. The rot affected section requires to be cut out and renewed. The decorative finishes are failing and early redecoration will be required. Pay a joiner £50-100 at some point.It is important that external timbers are regularly redecorated to prevent the ingress of moisture and onset of rot. Yup! You have to maintain houses!

Joinery & Finishes - Gutterboards and soffits around the property appear to be of softwood. They appear in reasonable condition however the decorative finishes are lifting and early redecoration will be required. It is important that external softwood is regularly redecorated to prevent the ingress of moisture and onset of rot Yup! You have to maintain houses!

Roof Structure - Access to the roof void is gained by a hatch located in the first floor landing ceiling. The presence of a large quantity of stored items within the roof area significantly reduced our inspection. The roof is of trussed rafter configuration. Modern trussed rafter configuration consisting of softwood bracing and binding members jointed with steel toothed plate fasteners. There is no diagonal timber bracing across the trusses as would be required under current regulations. Given that the property has survived the storms of the late 1980's and 1990's without apparent major defect we do not consider subsequent inclusion of these elements to be paramount although in the future their installation would be prudent. It would appear when the property was originally constructed the developers were one trussed rafter short. In place of the missing trussed rafter two conventional rafters have been provided. These have been supported on timber noggins. Although no evidence of significant distortion has been noted some additional stiffening of the roof frame would be advantageous and further advice should be obtained from a Structural Engineer or Chartered Building Surveyor.The property has been like this without problems for years. Structural Engineer? He's covering his a*se! The level of insulation within the roof space is inadequate. The current minimum recommended level of insulation is 270mm of glass fibre quilting laid between, and over the ceiling joists. We would advise you to arrange for the level of insulation present to be improved. £6 - £12 from Homebase. We were unable to view the underside of the tiles due to the presence of sarking felt. The sarking felt appears in satisfactory condition. The cold water storage tank and central heating header tanks are located within the roof space. They are adequately insulated and appear in reasonable condition
for their age.



The property was built around 1985 but im wondering if these issues will cost alot to fix?

Sounds like it's in generally good condition.

happy_2008

So we are over panicking?

happy_2008

Is this the standard of these home buyers report? I read that they produce a template of 30 pages which seems to fall inline with the report we received.

tommie1shunt

happy_2008 wrote: »

This line was a bit scary

Although no evidence of significant distortion has been noted some additional stiffening of the roof frame would be advantageous and further advice should be obtained from a Structural Engineer or Chartered Building Surveyor.

We just got a survey back with the same sentence, would seem like !!!! covering as someone has already mentioned.

happy_2008

So Tommie did your report have alot of category 2 as well? Also, were all your electrics and heating category 3?

clearing_out_my_pockets

Is the boiler the original boiler, do you know? Has your solicitor obtained information on servicing of the boiler?