Opinions please? (BTL / HUtH Wanabee!)

missile

IMHO, 40-50 miles is not too arduous a commute. If you do not want to share in his venture, simply explain your concerns and tell him you will not contribute financially. Stay in your own house and visit him as and when it suits you.

It does not sound like you are commited to this relationship?

Teresa_Green

OK so we went for another viewing this afternoon with Builder friend and this time the Son of the previous owner (who has died) did the viewing.

Boyfriend is still confident that cost estimate is realistic.

I am not so confident - the flooding in the back garden on closer inspection is actually the whole grass being so waterlogged that there has been a small bridge built to get into the shed (which is at the end of the garden behind the Garage). This bridge has obviously been there for some years. Apparently the flooding is because there is a strip of land behind the rear garden fence which has been used for growing vegetables by someone else and the level of the land is higher causing drainage issues. United Utilities used to refund the vendor for this apparently. The front lawn is also so waterlogged that footprints end up as little puddles when it is walked across, there are also a lot of internal walls both downstairs and upstairs which feel damp to touch and water stains can be seen on closer inspection of the (psychedelic!) wall paper. Builder said there are holes in the roof as he could see light shining through when he looked in the loft. Builder said gutters may be blocked causing the damp to walls upstairs and downstairs there may be water getting in through windows, however I am not sure this is not due to general waterlogging of the surrounding land for the past however many years?!

A previous house we had considered ended up going to Auction as it wasn't mortgageable, due to a driveway being built above the house foundations level. A previous buyer had apparently had a survey done which basically revealed a lake under the floorboards... :eek::D

There will be a full structural survey prior to any purchase going ahead but in the meantime - thoughts on the above anyone?!

summerholiday

All-in-all this project sounds like a major headache - water logging being one of them. Just think along 'feng shui' principles. Usually a no, no.

In my opinion you need to know whether, or not, your Boyfriend has the ongoing energy, endurance and commitment needed to follow through, particularly during mostly cold winter months and shorter daylight hours ahead to realise this possible project. Or would you find yourself rescuing him, or being blamed for its outcome.

You indicated that he is not good with paperwork and expects you to back him up. That could be very stressful - particularly when he loses a receipt which you need for the accounting or even worse he spends more than originally agreed, with him defending his action and you just wanting to do things the correct way.

Well, from your writing you seem the more cautious one in the relationship and may be the more mature. Consider, also, of how much negative energy and focus will be taken up discussing and arguing points of difference, when he disagrees with you over something in the renovation. So what role would you take on?

All time you are maintaining your career and he his? Hmnn!

Fire_Fox

You need more than full structural survey, you need an independent damp specialist's report (NOT a DPC company). I'd actually do that first, before you waste money on a survey. You really need to know if this house will ever be easily mortgageable if the water issue cannot be resolved because that will affect any future sale. Also look at insurance risk, if the house will get flooded in very wet weather you mat find buildings and contents insurance is prohibitive.

Run an advanced search on the DIY board, there used to be a poster who was a damp specialist and gave good advice IIRC.

Teresa_Green

Thankyou Summerholiday - I know he works hard and will certainly push on regardless, but see that there would be little point doing that for nothing gained in the end, there are multiple risks involved which I can see but he disregards - example of a recent quote from him: "I just know there will not be any Asbestos in the Property - you need to relax".

Thank you again Fire Fox, agree wholeheartedly with your comments - have been researching and found an independent Damp and Timber Survey Specialist near us and plan to make contact regarding costings of having him look into this before proceeding any further at present. The website does not have details of cost of that (probably individual / dependent on house size / location maybe) but assuming from your Post that it will still be cheaper than a Full Structural Survey? (Which would also mean that the Mortgage Arrangement Fee had already been paid too...).

The offer has formally been made and accepted earlier in the week (Thursday), the viewing on Saturday was then arranged and I found it very useful. The previous occupants had been there for around 60 years and he had done all his own DIY about 40 years ago so if the floorboards etc. have to be lifted up and inspected.... may well be very interesting

dinofabio

Teresa_Green wrote: »

The previous occupants had been there for around 60 years and he had done all his own DIY about 40 years ago so if the floorboards etc. have to be lifted up and inspected.... may well be very interesting

Unless the place is an absolute wreck, I'd be surprised if the vendor allowed this without prior agreement

Teresa_Green

dinofabio wrote: »

Unless the place is an absolute wreck, I'd be surprised if the vendor allowed this without prior agreement

It's not that far off, but yes of course will need to make the necessary arrangements for viewing / damp survey - will do this with Vendor via Estate Agent.

Don't worry - wasn't planning on sneaking round to do this in the middle of the night!