Surveyor Negligence - Huge Roofing Bill

doberman100

DannyboyMidlands wrote: »

Hmm, something weird about this.

If the problem is so serious I can't see how the surveyor (or you) missed it.

What was the access like at the time of the survey?
What was the weather like at the time of the survey?
What needs to be repaired?
What is the type and age of property?
When did you buy it?

Surely if this was an existing defect all the signs you mention would have been visable at the time and to everybody.

Full access to the loft was available at the time of the survey. I honestly can't remember what the weather was like, but this only excuses so much.

Two thirds of the roof felt is damaged and has to be replaced. It is inconceivable that they should state there was no damaged felt. This is ridiculous. There may be defective flashing on top of the roof - that won't be known until someone goes up there.

The property is late 1800's.

We completed on the sale 2 weeks ago. The survey was completed at the beginning of November 2012.

With last year being very wet, one can only assume the seller timed their decorations so the moisture damage was concealed. However, the roofing companies say that the felt is 'soaking' in places, so there's no doubt that the surveyor didn't check the loft. It also smells terribly damp up there.

One would assume it would all be visible to everyone, but if a surveyor is negligent then that explains it. Several surveyors I spoke to today said sometimes this kind of thing happens unfortunately.

doberman100

maninthestreet wrote: »

Didn't you spot the damaged plaster in the bedrooms when you viewed the house?

When we viewed the house there was no damage or signs of water penetration whatsoever. I suspect carefully timed decorations concealed the problem.

It only needs to rain for a day and wet patches start to appear.

doberman100

G_M wrote: »

Your priority is not 'another Valuation' - it is 'another survey'.

You need a professional written opinion to counter the original survey.

The surveyor tomorrow is on the RICS expert witness panel and says he will produce an expert witness report for £360, and spend around 3 hours inspecting the whole property.

yoyoegg

You may have a claim if you'd paid for a structural survey, but a Homebuyers has so many 'get out' clauses I fear you're onto a loser here.

When are people going to realise they are a waste of time and money?

Yep. I observed the surveyor when I sold my last house and he was only in the place 15 mins max. He said he only really checked that the property was mortgageable and of standard construction.

propertyman

jaybeetoo wrote: »

If you are going to claim against the surveyor then be prepared for a very long wait before it is sorted out. Some friends of mine had a dispute with their surveyor and it went on for years before it came to a conclusion.

On the other hand it can be quickly resolved.

Ask roofer for a quote for a tarpaulin?

Here lets say the Surveyor produces photos of a dry undamaged roof?

Then on investigation it is found that the damage was caused by high winds in Nov or Dec or an ice dam in the heavy snow that has forced up tiles started to leak inside while re stocked outside with new heavy snow, the felt underneath failed under the weight.

:money: so
1: notify your building/ home insurer you may have legal expenses cover which helps you with the claim

2: ditto," just in case" it is an insured incident, post survey, and your claim is not out of time- most require notification in 30 days.

doberman100

yoyoegg wrote: »

You may have a claim if you'd paid for a structural survey, but a Homebuyers has so many 'get out' clauses I fear you're onto a loser here.

If we're talking about a £4,000 bill it's worth giving it a shot, even though it would cost money to get a counter-report (£360).

propertyman

G_M wrote: »

Your priority is not 'another Valuation' - it is 'another survey'..

Well actually it's both. :)The survey bit will explain the problem and causes and history while assessing the difference in value.

G_M

Either try the complaint to the old surveyor and see what happens.

Or pay for the report.

But I am 99% certain the old surveyor will not come through - Their insurers will force them not to admit liability (like you car insurer always tells you not to admit blame for an accident).

You'll need the report in the end so faster you get it, faster you can fix the roof.

Remember too you can claim back the cost of the report from the old surveyor too!

propertyman

I just hope that you dont get up on the roof and find the damage has been caused by something falling..


Like a Dreamliner's battery pack !

doberman100

G_M wrote: »

Either try the complaint to the old surveyor and see what happens.

Or pay for the report.

But I am 99% certain the old surveyor will not come through - Their insurers will force them not to admit liability (like you car insurer always tells you not to admit blame for an accident).

You'll need the report in the end so faster you get it, faster you can fix the roof.

Remember too you can claim back the cost of the report from the old surveyor too!

That's really useful - thanks! Using the expert witness report to drive the roofing quotations ensures the right things get fixed.

And I certainly will claim as much as possible back.