Survey report and decision to make

Flow2010

I am in the process of buying a house (first time buyer) and would be grateful if I could have your experience with respect to the following
The house I was looking for was at 160K but after some months was on an open house for offers over 120k. I viewed it prior to the open house and understood the owners were looking at around 145k. I put couple of offers and was accepted at 145k and taken off open house. The bank did the survey and came out as the offered price was appropriate. Then I went on to do an homebuyersurvey. This has shown

(1) A number of high priority recommended repairs. These include

Walls:
Couple of hairline cracks that need point and seal (I am a bit concerned about this)
Small patch of open jointed brick work at rear
Lintel supports next when windows replaced
Reseting of some stone cladding

Damp proof course/Ventilation:
Damp course is exposed at various parts and this requires to be raked and pointed (I am a bit concerned about this)


Outbuildings:
Garage extended to forwards at some stage (I guess the solicitor has to check this)
Asbestos ceiling panels noted (I am a bit concerned about this)
Replace mastic flashing

Any ideas on if I have to be really concerned about any of the above and if they would cost a lot?



(2) To check before exchange of contract

Main Services

Electricity: Obtain NICEIC contractors report
Gas: Obtain gas safe engineers report
Plumbing and sanitary fittings: Obtain plumbers report

All these I understand from the owner are in working order but not the most new as it is a 1970 Bungalow. I am sure when I have these tests done it would recommend to change/update to new systems. Would people normally do all these tests or is it something that can be tested and done over time?

I would like to be fair to the seller but at the same time if some of these repairs would make the house an expensive purchase I need to think about, if it would be fair to negotiate. Any opinions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance

Niv

Nothing on that list worries me too much. The biggest thing to me would be the garage being extended, as you say solicitor to check this out. I wouldnt be too worried about the asbestos ceiling panels unless they are AIB in poor condition, i suspect it may be the garage roof in which case it is cement which is basically a non issue (and incidently the surveyor cannot note asbestos only suspect it, a surveyor is not allowed to state something is asbestos unless it has been analysed and proved positive).

Good luck on your first purchase, I hope it all goes well for you.

Niv

G_M

Flow2010 wrote: »

(1) A number of high priority recommended repairs. These include

Walls:
Couple of hairline cracks that need point and seal (I am a bit concerned about this)
Small patch of open jointed brick work at rear
Lintel supports next when windows replaced
Reseting of some stone cladding
Pay a builder £1-200 to do re-pointing after you move in.
Or next year.

Damp proof course/Ventilation:
Damp course is exposed at various parts and this requires to be raked and pointed (I am a bit concerned about this)
Builder will re-point this at same time. Same job different place.

Outbuildings:
Garage extended to forwards at some stage (I guess the solicitor has to check this) Only if planning permission was required which quite possibly wasn't.
Asbestos ceiling panels noted (I am a bit concerned about this)Unless you ar removing/replacing/demolishing, the asbestos is fine. Leave it untouched.
Replace mastic flashing £6 from B&Q and half an hour DIY

Any ideas on if I have to be really concerned about any of the above and if they would cost a lot?



(2) To check before exchange of contract

Main Services

Electricity: Obtain NICEIC contractors report Why?
Gas: Obtain gas safe engineers report Why?
Plumbing and sanitary fittings: Obtain plumbers report Why?
Surveyor is just covering his !!!! - unless he's actually spotted someing dodgy, which he would have mentioned, these are all optional

/QUOTE]
Buy, move in and do a bit of routine maintenance.

Enjoy your new home.

Flow2010

Hello both, Thank you very much for going through my long list of items and providing me with useful information.

With respect to the services these are the full comments given:
6.1 Electricity
Description: Mains electricity is installed with the meter to the garage.
Condition: The wiring appears the original and I would suggest that this be checked by a
NICEIC approved contractor prior to a legal commitment to purchase. Rewiring
or upgrading should be anticipated.
Before Exchange: Obtain NICEIC contractors report.
6.2 Gas
Description: Mains gas installed with the meter located to the garage.
Condition: The supply pipework should be pressure tested by a Gas-Safe registered
engineer prior to a legal commitment to purchase.
Before Exchange: Obtain Gas-Safe engineers report.
6.3 Plumbing And Sanitary Fittings
Description: Mains water is installed with the stop tap and meter located to the hall
cupboard.
Condition: The pipework appears in copper but much is concealed. There were no
indications of any leakages suggesting that the plumbing remains watertight.
However it may be prudent to have this checked by a competent plumber.
Green suite noted the bathroom which is slightly dated but appears functional.
Detailed tests were not completed.
Before Exchange: Obtain plumbers report.
6.4 Heating / Hot Water
Description: A Glow Worm Micron boiler noted to the kitchen.
Condition: The boiler appears of recent era however the remainder of the heating system
appears slightly dated. Corrosion noted to some radiators and I suspect that they
will require replacement within the foreseeable future.
Central heating systems should be annually serviced and if there is no verifiable
documentation to this effect then I would have the heating system checked by a
Gas-Safe registered engineer prior to a legal commitment to purchase.
Before Exchange: Obtain Gas-Safe engineers report.


and as G_M mentions looks like an optional upgrade.

Thanks again

ukcarper

When was the house built

G_M

I understand from the owner are in working order but not the most new as it is a 1970 Bungalow

.
1970 wiring should be fine unless there's been dodgy DIY additions.
Plumbing needs checking? PPppllleeeaaase! What about getting a glazier in to check the windows? And a chimney sweep .....

This is all !!!!-covering.

If you're paranoid or not prepared to take on a slightly dated boiler etc, then buy a new build property.

Flow2010

Ukcarper: 1970s built house. Thanks

Flow2010

G_M: Thank you for providing useful information