1900's semi-detached purchase

1trainer1

Hi there,

Thanks for reading the post. I have an offer accepted on a 1900's semi detached property. The property is in need of a lot of work as the d!cor is pre 1970's and there are a few cracks caused by tree damage.

The property has a sycamore tree that has caused damage but nothing to the extend of requiring any major work i.e. underpinning (structural survey, tree report and quotes obtained). The reports confirmed no major damage and quote reasonable to rectify the issue.

Due to the tree and drains CCTV survey has been done and the drains are blocked. I asked if the vendor would be ok with further investigation to clarify the extend the tree has damaged the drain and he has said no.

I am just curious if fellow MSEs have had this experience and how they dealt with it. Also how much is reasonable to repair the drainage and any problems I may need to be aware of beforehand.

Also the average cost for building a firewall to roof void about 12m long and damp proofing per metre.

maninthestreet

Are the drains blocked due to tree root damage? It if was a simple blockage that could be resolved by rodding or jetting, why hasn't the vendor done this already??

ormus

has no one used the loo since the drain was blocked by tree roots!

1trainer1

maninthestreet wrote: »

Are the drains blocked due to tree root damage? It if was a simple blockage that could be resolved by rodding or jetting, why hasn't the vendor done this already??

not sure how the drains are blocked as the property has been empty for a while, as far as I know the vendors parents lived in the property and have now passed on hence the sale and the state of the property.

had cctv people go back and am waiting for their report with a guestimate on likely cost of repairs

oz0707

My mate got ALL his foul drains replaced on a massive detached abut 6 months after moving in on his insurance. Might be best to know as 'little' as possible about these? Bit of a gamble though. Budget about £500 for your firewall

1trainer1

oz0707 wrote: »

My mate got ALL his foul drains replaced on a massive detached abut 6 months after moving in on his insurance. Might be best to know as 'little' as possible about these? Bit of a gamble though. Budget about £500 for your firewall

I dont think we could do that as our surveyor wants to know about the drains as part of the survey, he wants to know the condition as that and wont give us a value of the property without.

Will put the £500 in the budget for the firewall

jackyann

I would be very wary of a vendor who didn't want you to do any further investigating. Take the advice of your surveyor, and if they can't get the information they need, then, I'm sorry to say, you need to walk away.....you will eventually be glad that you did.
However, this will probably call the vendor's bluff, they will allow the investigation and probably have to drop the price to account for reparation.

muskoka

oz 0707 is spot on. I had a firewall built this summer just gone in a 1900's house. Cost me £450 (builder was already on site). He also enlarged the loft opening & fitted a proper loft ladder in the price. (Made it easier access for him) I supplied the loft ladder though.

I'm in the South East.

I also got the adjoining neighbour to write me a letter agreeing to the firewall, just in case party wall act came into play. I funded whole thing though.

I know you haven't asked, but have you thought about woodworm in an old house? My house had quite a bit of it.

1trainer1

muskoka wrote: »

oz 0707 is spot on. I had a firewall built this summer just gone in a 1900's house. Cost me £450 (builder was already on site). He also enlarged the loft opening & fitted a proper loft ladder in the price. (Made it easier access for him) I supplied the loft ladder though.

I'm in the South East.

I also got the adjoining neighbour to write me a letter agreeing to the firewall, just in case party wall act came into play. I funded whole thing though.

I know you haven't asked, but have you thought about woodworm in an old house? My house had quite a bit of it.

About the woodworm, I am getting a timber and damp survey done, should have the report tomorrow. Is woodworn expensive to fix?


We are in Lancashire.


Muskoka, thanks for the tip, if we proceed with the purchase, I will definately speak to the neighbour about the firewall as well as the shared chimney.

jackyann wrote: »

I would be very wary of a vendor who didn't want you to do any further investigating. Take the advice of your surveyor, and if they can't get the information they need, then, I'm sorry to say, you need to walk away.....you will eventually be glad that you did.
However, this will probably call the vendor's bluff, they will allow the investigation and probably have to drop the price to account for reparation.

I think key is getting all the quotes for the work that needs doing (including the drains). With this in mind I will be in a better position to haggle and if they won't entertain that then I will pull out. The property is more on the neglected side and this was taken into account on the accepted offer but offer was subject to surveys so we are in a position whereby the ball is still in our court and can walk away if not happy.