Report from structural engineer required

jen14

Hi

Were buying a mid terace (only 4 houses tho) built around 1920-1930 that needs a lot of work (complete re-wire, possibly re plumb etc). The home buyers survey was carried out last week. I'm still awaiting my copy of the report (I should get it tomorrow) but I contacted the lender today (Nationwide) who told me that it had come back saying there was movement and until we got it looked at by a structual engineer and it showed the movement had stoped they would not lend on the property.

When we viewed it we were aware of cracks in one bedroom but they looked quite old. My husband noticed that there was a bit of a slop upstairs (I couldn't notice it even after he said) so we spoke to the adjoining property who have lived there for 20 + years. They said that they had had it looked at years ago when doing some work and it was old movement and wasn't a problem.

My question is; would it be resonable of me to ask to vendor to contribute toward the cost of the strucural engineer? I cannot get a quote yet until I get the report back and then speak to the surveyor.

Thanks

Gromitt

Its reasonable, whether they'll accept is another question entirely. If depends whether or not you've battered them doing to there absolute lowest price they'd accept or not. If not, then maybe, but that would also say you didn't do a good enough job at your negotiating

jen14

Well it was on at £220 and we went up to £215 to secure it as its in a very good area.

Does anyone have any ball park idea of how much a structural engineer would charge to come out to check that there is no active movement? I'm confident it'll be fine as the other 3 houses in this row are all modernized and the neighbours have had no issues.