Specialist survey?

whereschris

I'm buying a house that has ben severely neglected. everything needs replacing - wiring - kitchen - batroom... I was thinking why not skip the home buyers survey and get seperate damp and timber reports, roofing report and a structural survey. It seems this is much cheaper and it is likely to be what the homebuyers survey will tell me to do.

Do you think this is a reasonable idea?

Thanks

marybishop

Not sure what you mean by 'structural survey' as a full structural survey is more in depth than a Homebuyers and is more expensive.

Elliesmum

If you are going to use the survey as a negotiation tool (on price) and you really like the property I would go for the all singing all dancing survey - may cost you more but in the long run could save you lots of money.

I'm not an expert - it's just what I would do

EM x

jennynoo

I had a homebuyers survey £495 which said I needed an electrical survey so I did that as well and it cost £152. If I hadn't done the homebuyers though I would have worried I hadn't covered everything. My flat needs complete rewiring and parts need replastering. With this info I was able to negotiate some money off the price we offered.

sleepymans

Elliesmum wrote: »

If you are going to use the survey as a negotiation tool (on price) and you really like the property I would go for the all singing all dancing survey - may cost you more but in the long run could save you lots of money.

I'm not an expert - it's just what I would do

EM x

Best get a Structural Engineer's Report - but it'll be pricey.

whereschris

hi

Thanks for your replies. We already know the place needs re wiring, new heating, new kitchen and bathroom, some plastering... It's just the major problems. Timber and damp, subsidence and roof that we would like to be sure of.

It seems as thoug it will be much cheaper to do the individual survey method.

Cheers

rdpro

Is there a possibility of getting a quote (i.e., free!) estimate/opinion on structural work required?
My homebuyer surveyor was 'of the opinion' that subsidence was ongoing in a 1900's terraced house, but didn't actually give any evidence as such. I'm hesitant to lay out the huge amount that a full structural survey will cost, especially as a lot of it will cover stuff dealt with in the homebuyers report.

It's understood that surveyors want to cover their backs, but I'd rather not fork out thousands for a second opinion.

wiggly

we're currently tempted with ignoring the homebuyers report and get a valuation and structural.

We've been living in the house for nearly 3 years, we know where the problems are in terms of a leaking window, knackered plaster, old fuse box etc but we want to know is it going to fall down, the roof fall off, is there damp etc

just our thoughts

open to ideas though!

icklejulez

A full structural survey is around £900. This is what we have been looking at in lasst gew months. Dont know if this is of use to you. I know there are 3 types of survey:
Basic Valuation(we've already had 2 of these and have been happy with the amount of information they have brought back).
Homebuyers survey(Never had one done but they worry me that they dont cover everything and surveyors are still covering themselves).
Structural Survey(cover everything and although again Im sure they cover their backs for the price they charge you can only presume they know what they are talking about).

marybishop

You need to get quotes from building surveyors for the two different types of surveys. We have a set schedule of charges for 'standard' properties based on the number of bedrooms and the type of property, i.e. detached/semi/terraced. For listed or particularly complex properties we tailor the fee accordingly. Please remember the valuation is not a survey and is purely for the lender.

Doozergirl

whereschris wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. We already know the place needs re wiring, new heating, new kitchen and bathroom, some plastering... It's just the major problems. Timber and damp, subsidence and roof that we would like to be sure of.

It seems as thoug it will be much cheaper to do the individual survey method.

Cheers

In which case, I'd do exactly what you're suggesting (and I do, in fact). You know a great deal needs doing already, so you need a timber and damp specialist, a structural engineer and a roofer which are the things you aren't sure about. If you're paying out for these, you at least end up with an exact specification of what you need.