House buying roof concerns

DaveyDave_3

Hi All.
After many months (if not years) looking I've found a house on the market that seems to fulfil all my requirements at a reason price.

I've viewed it once and am about to view again. Whilst the overall apparent condition of the place looks OK, I have some concerns about the roof, where there is the odd slate that's shifted. I also note that a number of similar houses in the street have had work done to their roofs and are generally in better condition, to my eyes at least.

My questions is, if I conclude that I want to make an offer on the property how do I tackle the roof issue?. Should I proceed in making an offer 'subject to investigation/surveys' and see where this goes or should I not make an offer until I know whether the roof needs significant work (by maybe getting a roofing expert to look at it first?).

I know there are other interested parties and I am concerned that by delaying my offer, I'll lose the property (as I've done previously). Seems to me I need to get my foot in the door by making a realistic offer and negotiate from there if the results of the survey are bad.

What do people think?.

Thanks for any pointers,
Dave

jee

Hi I've had an offer accepted on a property which also may have some problems with the roof. Once the surveyor's report comes back or indeed you get a builder's opinion then you can go back and negotiate on the transaction price given your new information.

However I have a question on surveyors which maybe someone can answer- how thoroughly do surveyors check on the roof? Colleys level 2 and most expensive building survey says they inspect roof with binoculars. I'm wondering if this is enough.

Arthurian

Surveyors (unless just an inexpensive valuation survey) will inspect the exterior of the roof with binoculars, but also will go into the loft and inspect the underside of the roof timbers, felting, etc, from there. They can't do much if the underside of the roof is plastered over and therefore out of sight.

lincroft1710

1. Make your offer "Subject to survey"

2. Instruct your chosen surveyor to pay particular attention to the roof as in your eyes it appears to be in need of attention.

hazyjo

I'd actually want a roofing contractor round to inspect.

Don't forget, it might not just be a case of replacing, or repairing, a roof. If it's not watertight, it might have caused structural damage to joists, walls, ceiling/floor, etc.

If you decide to drop the price after a survey/valuation, there is no guarantee that the vendor will agree to the drop. So you might find you're paying over the odds or having to pull out.

I would want some sort of indication on the state of the roof before making an offer ideally.

Jx

jee

Arthurian wrote: »

Surveyors (unless just an inexpensive valuation survey) will inspect the exterior of the roof with binoculars, but also will go into the loft and inspect the underside of the roof timbers, felting, etc, from there. They can't do much if the underside of the roof is plastered over and therefore out of sight.

Do you also count the level 2 colleys/mortgage valuers as an inexpensive valuation survey?

Arthurian

No - what I meant was that a level 1 valuation survey does not guarantee much of an inspection of the roof, just binoculars outside and if possible head and shoulders through the loft hatch. Level 2 gives you a better look at the roof by going into the roof void if the surveyor can squeeze up there. I only used the word 'inexpensive' as a shortcut to describing the type of survey and to distinguish it from other types. Didn't mean to assign monetary value to it.

edit: http://www.colleys.co.uk/customer/services/compare/ Hope this helps.

phoebe1989seb

The surveyor that did the Homebuyers Report for our buyers last year (esurv) came equipped with a ladder, spent several hours at our house including a good hour outside inspecting the roof (binoculars, camera) yet couldn't be bothered to go into the attic when he saw how awkward access was - my DH actually encouraged him to go up, but he wouldn't.

Admittedly most of the attic space was taken up with (original) bedrooms and a large vaulted ceiling from a reception room below, but even so.......he then proceeded to invent asbestos and woodorm infestations that didn't exist - so I wouldn't trust them myself and would want a second opinion from a builder or structural expert

On a previous sale back in 1997, the buyer's surveyor only poked his head in the attic of our 4 bed detached victorian house from the top of our loft ladder.......and that was on a full structural/buildings survey!

jee

Arthurian wrote: »

No - what I meant was that a level 1 valuation survey does not guarantee much of an inspection of the roof, just binoculars outside and if possible head and shoulders through the loft hatch. Level 2 gives you a better look at the roof by going into the roof void if the surveyor can squeeze up there. I only used the word 'inexpensive' as a shortcut to describing the type of survey and to distinguish it from other types. Didn't mean to assign monetary value to it.

edit: http://www.colleys.co.uk/customer/services/compare/ Hope this helps.

Thanks for explaining!

jee

OP I would put an offer in and then have a survey done. Any problems that the surveyor points out you can use to negotiate the price. If the vendor is reluctant you can point out that any other buyers will also have the same issue. Good luck.