Survey

Worried

The valuation on the house we're buying has already been carried out. We didn't ask for a homebuyers or building survey be done at the same time. Realise it will cost us more to now send in a surveyor to do a homebuyers or full structural. How should we go about finding a surveyor to do this? Is it a case of getting some quotes from some local surveyors? Our valuation was done on friday, when will we get a copy of this? Does it come with the mortgage offer? House is 1930s extended terrace. Didn't notice any problems. Vendor said they had full structural done when they bought 2 years ago. They said there was some damp in the front wall, but they had the work done to rectify the problem. Do people recommend getting the full structural, or do you think home buyers will suffice?

marybishop

Why not contact your lender and ask them how much it will be to have either full survey or HB carried out. You can also phone some independent surveyors and that way you can compare quotes and also dates of when they can do the survey.

As to which survey to have full is always best for peace of mind particularly if the property has been extended or altered. Can you trust the vendor when they say they've had damp rectified - make sure they have paperwork to prove it. Also things can change in two years. Don't forget buying a house is a huge financial commitment and you don't want any costly surprises!

pingu79

Our solicitor recommended some good local surveyors and we went for the full homebuyers survey on our 1930's semi after we'd got the valuation back. We are FTB so didn't want to pay out too much in fees before the mortgage co gave the house the ok. My OH is a structural engineer so he had a look over and mentioned any bits to the surveyor that he wanted him to look into (our valuation picked up chimney stack issue).

I hope that there was planning permission & building regs done for the extension

Worried

Thanks. Who would I get to check planning permission, building regs for extension. Vendor did say there were these, but extension predates them. Is this our solicitors job? Our solicitor is not local, so prob can't recommend anyone. I will start phoning round for some quotes myself. When did you see copy of the valuation? How soon after it was carried out?

marybishop

This is something your solicitor should be checking but you can check with the local planning/building control departments at the local council for PP/B Regs approvals. How long ago was the extension done? It may have been done under Permitted Development Rights depending on the size so may not have required formal PP but it would have needed B Regs approval current at the time.

Worried

I don't know when extension was done. It's not very big. I will make our Solicitor aware of this. Can you recall how long it took for your valuation to come through? Did you get a copy sent to you directly?

marybishop

Hi Worried - sorry, not speaking as a purchaser but as surveyors - it's about 19 years since we last moved!!

Worried

Oh sorry! Has anyone else had valuation done separatley to homebuyers, or full structural? When do you get to see valuation report?

---lee---

You won't see the valuation - that's done for the Bank/BS benefit - not yours. If you want a survey report you will have to pay for one as detailed by marybishop in post #2. On a property of this age, you really want to do a full survey for peace of mind.