Full Structual Survey Info

cjohnson355

Hi,

My husband and I are considering buying a 6 bed, 3 story house in the SE. It's a 1930's house and we will arrange for a full structural survey to be carried out. The roof looks extremely dodgy but to the untrained eye the rest of the property looks OK. Would anyone have any idea of the cost of a survey on a property this size? Also how long does it take to get the report through? When should we arrange the survey? After having our offer accepted or after the mortgage company’s valuation survey has been carried out?
Finally ....... Can anyone recommend a surveyor, in the Guildford area?

Many thanks in advance
Kate

G_M

Cost:
1) speak to your mortgage lender and get a price for a full survey at the same time as the valuation. One visit, one surveyor, overlapping tasks - often cheaper
2) ring a few local RICS surveyors and ask for quotes.
3) time for report?Ask surveyor when getting quote!
4) When? if using the lender's surveyor, then when you apply for mortgage. If independant, then either wait for mortgage offer to be confirmed (and save the cost if rejetced) or straight away as it will avoid delays

cjohnson355

Thank you very much for all your advice x

cwcw

From my experience of full buildings surveys, expect around 30 pages of statements such as "looks ok but needs a qualified xyz to confirm" and "may be an issue but needs an abc to check", all heavily embellished into one big, useless document. Expect around 5 pages of clauses about why they couldn't actually check anything, e.g. a chair was in the way, the loft access had no ladder provided, etc etc.

cjohnson355

cwcw wrote: »

From my experience of full buildings surveys, expect around 30 pages of statements such as "looks ok but needs a qualified xyz to confirm" and "may be an issue but needs an abc to check", all heavily embellished into one big, useless document. Expect around 5 pages of clauses about why they couldn't actually check anything, e.g. a chair was in the way, the loft access had no ladder provided, etc etc.

This now has me worried and slightly confused. If this is the case why bother with a structual survey? I thought this kind of survey meant they checked everything from the foundations to the roof? Oh dear! What to do :-(

arbrighton

cjohnson355 wrote: »

This now has me worried and slightly confused. If this is the case why bother with a structual survey? I thought this kind of survey meant they checked everything from the foundations to the roof? Oh dear! What to do :-(

The poster who replied to you has had similar rants on a couple of threads.
But they have a point- surveyor can only survey what they can access and comment on what they are qualified to comment on.
How are they meant to check foundations? They're not going to be digging a hole or pulling up floorboards (well v unlikely without vendor permission and serious tools).
They will check everything they can see, so if they can't get into the loft to check out roof timbers, you will get told this and they will cover their backs.
Less said about how they report on septic tanks the better!
But we are glad we paid for a full survey for our current purchase (completing on thursday) having been stung with subsidence and underpinning by not doing so with a previous house. Not that we really had any choice seeing as it's early Victorian.... The detail on roof, pointing, spalled bricks, slightly bulging garden wall and potential drop in window frame etc has given us an idea of where future maintenance will be required

cjohnson355

arbrighton wrote: »

The poster who replied to you has had similar rants on a couple of threads.
But they have a point- surveyor can only survey what they can access and comment on what they are qualified to comment on.
How are they meant to check foundations? They're not going to be digging a hole or pulling up floorboards (well v unlikely without vendor permission and serious tools).
They will check everything they can see, so if they can't get into the loft to check out roof timbers, you will get told this and they will cover their backs.
Less said about how they report on septic tanks the better!
But we are glad we paid for a full survey for our current purchase (completing on thursday) having been stung with subsidence and underpinning by not doing so with a previous house. Not that we really had any choice seeing as it's early Victorian.... The detail on roof, pointing, spalled bricks, slightly bulging garden wall and potential drop in window frame etc has given us an idea of where future maintenance will be required

Thank you very much for replying. This has givem me food for thought. I can walk around a property and see things for myself. My main concern is the roof. Perhaps I should ask a builder to take look and save myself aprox £1500 on survey fees or just go for the home buyers survey. Decisions to be made :-(

more_money_for_me

A general survey is a good idea, but as you suggest get a specialist to look at any areas where you have particular concerns, so a roofer will be able to say whether it wants a reroof, or can just be repaired, they will probably be able to give a more accurate/competetive quote than a general builder who may sub the work anyway.

cjohnson355

more_money_for_me wrote: »

A general survey is a good idea, but as you suggest get a specialist to look at any areas where you have particular concerns, so a roofer will be able to say whether it wants a reroof, or can just be repaired, they will probably be able to give a more accurate/competetive quote than a general builder who may sub the work anyway.

Thank you. I think this is the way we're going to go.