Should we have a property surveyed?

Lolstoo

We are in the fantastic position of being able to purchase our next property outright so don't technically need to pay for a survey.
We are buying in an area we know very well (2 streets away) and have a great builder who is going to visit the house for us and check it out.
Should we also go to the expense of having the house surveyed?
Thanks for any advice

sonastin

Are you prepared to take on the risk of the builder not spotting something? If you pay for a survey and the surveyor doesn't pick up on something that he ought to notice, you have recourse to the surveyor or more likely his insurer for the damages you incure. You won't have that sort of protection if your builder gives it the once-over, unless he carries professional indemnity insurance for this sort of advice. You have to weigh up the risk of him getting it wrong against what it might cost you to put it right.