Independent building survey or HSBC / Countrywide

newbie-house-buyer

Before everyone shouts at once - I have read the posts about Countrywide and, don't worry, we are not using them for our conveyancing! We have instructed another CQS conveyancer.

However, we are in the process of making decisions about surveys. We are FTBs and our mortgage will be with HSBC. We have decided that we want a full Building (structural) Survey and have various quotes. The cheapest quote is £340.00 incl. VAT.

HSBC will obviously be conducting their own valuation survey using Countrywide. They have said that we can actually pay them to also do the full Building Survey at a cost of 402.00.

We are wondering whether to let HSBC / Countrywide go ahead with the survey for the extra £62.00 because it means 1 survey instead of 2, so less processing time (??), only 1 surveyor needs to go to the property we are buying and so may be more straight forward.

What do people think about this? Thanks in anticipation

newbie-house-buyer

Does anyone have any advice on this? Have I posted on the right board? Or can anyone point me in the right direction to the info?

Thanks

Yorkie1

Frankly I don't think it makes much difference. The Countrywide surveying arm is totally separate from the conveyancing lot.

You've set out the pros and cons; I suspect that the fact that you've had no responses is because people don't feel strongly about the options.

Fire_Fox

Welcome! It is fairly standard practice to have one surveyor do both - try to be present if you are concerned. OR get e-mail confirmation from the owner via the estate agent that the surveyor has access to the loft via a secure stepladder, can enter the cellar, garage, outbuildings and has permission to lift corners of carpets. Pass this on to the surveyor via the lender.

99sc1610

Can somebody please correct the typo in 'Countrywide' there appears to be an extra vowel in there

newbie-house-buyer

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Welcome! It is fairly standard practice to have one surveyor do both - try to be present if you are concerned. OR get e-mail confirmation from the owner via the estate agent that the surveyor has access to the loft via a secure stepladder, can enter the cellar, garage, outbuildings and has permission to lift corners of carpets. Pass this on to the surveyor via the lender.

Thanks. Great advice. Much appreciated. Think we will go with the one surveyor for both.

newbie-house-buyer

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Frankly I don't think it makes much difference. The Countrywide surveying arm is totally separate from the conveyancing lot.

You've set out the pros and cons; I suspect that the fact that you've had no responses is because people don't feel strongly about the options.

Good to know that there are no strong feelings either way. Just wanted to check because there are some very strong feelings on here about Countrywide.

jimbog

I had a full survey completed by Countrywide when I applied for my First Direct (a subsidiary of HSBC) mortgage while he was here doing the valuation survey. I got a full report within 24 hours by email and a written version within 48 hours. He was also very happy to speak to me by phone 'off the record' which helped (ask if you can). I cannot be certain but I had the feeling that Countrywide subcontracted their work to independent surveyors.

newbie-house-buyer

Thanks jimbog, that's good to hear

Richard_Webster

Yes there are arguments both ways on the principle of whether you have your own separate survey or get the lender's surveyor to do a more detailed one for you. I agree there is no particular reason to be negative about Countrywide Surveyors.

_Ed

I went with a HSBC mortgage, used panel solicitors (Attwells) and went for a full structural survey organised by HSBC who used a fairly local surveyors (Mortimer & Carey).

Whole process has gone very smoothly - biggest headache of the whole process is dealing with the sellers EA.