should I get plumming and electrics checked?

jennfercain

Hi

Is it normal for home buyers surveys to come back saying that the electrics and pluming should be inspected? I'm worried that if I leave it it might cost me a lot in the future but on the other hand if I pay to get it checked now I could still be gazzumped and after paying valuation, survey and electric/pluming inspections I could stand to lose up to £700!!

Has anyone else experienced this dilemma?

All comments/advice appreciated!!

wnb

How old is the property? the one I'm buying is 50 years old and I'm almost positive it will need some work don to the wires and plumbing and when I have bought it, I will get a plumber and electrician to test them to give my wife some peace of mind.

covbaldy

We brought a 1950's house last year. After moving in and changing some single sockets to doubles we found out we need a total rewire as it was all bakerlite and very old wiring that crumbled on touch.

Can you go back round for a viewing to check the state of any wiring? Like take a screwdriver set with you and gentle take a plug facia off? You should be able to tell by the state of the wiring - oh and the age of the fusebox...

PoorDave

covbaldy wrote: »

We brought a 1950's house last year. After moving in and changing some single sockets to doubles we found out we need a total rewire as it was all bakerlite and very old wiring that crumbled on touch.

Can you go back round for a viewing to check the state of any wiring? Like take a screwdriver set with you and gentle take a plug facia off? You should be able to tell by the state of the wiring - oh and the age of the fusebox...

Who is liable if the OP gets electrocuted? Or damages the wiring in a house they don't yet own, to which they have made no commitment to purchase?

Homebuyer's report always says check elecs amd plumbing

jennfercain

The property is 40 years old. I'm really annoyed that the valuation and home buyers survey which cost me £475 does not check the electrics and pluming!
What a rip off!

jennfercain

For Covbaldy,
How much did it cost you to get the place rewired?

olly300

PoorDave wrote: »

Who is liable if the OP gets electrocuted? Or damages the wiring in a house they don't yet own, to which they have made no commitment to purchase?

Homebuyer's report always says check elecs amd plumbing

Not true my own didn't. The electrics and what the surveyor could see of the cold water tank and pipe work were reported as fine.

It did say check the boiler for gas safety certificates so obviously I am more likely to be asphyxiated.

I'm getting the electrics looked at any way because while the fuse box looks new (less than 10 years old) the old owner did some strange DIY on other things and I need more power points.

marybishop

jennfercain wrote: »

The property is 40 years old. I'm really annoyed that the valuation and home buyers survey which cost me £475 does not check the electrics and pluming!
What a rip off!

You would have got more info if you'd had the full structural survey done but even then surveyors are not qualified electricians or plumbers, they can only advise on the general condition. People don't seem to realise that the HB is not as detailed as a full survey - the message I get more and more from this site is that when people commission the survey either they're not given the definitions between the two types of survey or they don't ask!

jennfercain

......Or that they can't afford the full structural survey.

PoorDave

olly300 wrote: »

Not true my own didn't. The electrics and what the surveyor could see of the cold water tank and pipe work were reported as fine.

It did say check the boiler for gas safety certificates so obviously I am more likely to be asphyxiated.

I'm getting the electrics looked at any way because while the fuse box looks new (less than 10 years old) the old owner did some strange DIY on other things and I need more power points.

Fair enough. So the surveyor checked every socket did they?! My feeling has always been that's the reason they often say check both wires and pipes - the surveyor can't get access to each part you would realistically want to see if you were going to sign something saying all was OK, only for someone to get electrocuted.

olly300

PoorDave wrote: »

Fair enough. So the surveyor checked every socket did they?! My feeling has always been that's the reason they often say check both wires and pipes - the surveyor can't get access to each part you would realistically want to see if you were going to sign something saying all was OK, only for someone to get electrocuted.

I can only say what is on my homebuyers report which I checked it a few times because I was surprised due to some of the "strange" DIY the old owners did around the place. However it looks like they didn't touch the electrics and plumbing themselves.

However as I stated previously I was told to get the maintenance certificates for the boiler.

So while the surveyor was happy take legal responsibility that the electrics and plumbing he could see where ok, he was not happy to do that for the boiler. No he wouldn't have checked every socket or every pipe but when I get electrocuted or flooded I can go after him for being blind. :rotfl:

However as the place needs work (woodchip wall paper, old carpets,one/two power points per room, not properly fitted kitchen, old but white bathroom) I'm getting an electrician in and a plumber so the surveyor has properly covered themselves anyway.