Surveyor Negligence - Huge Roofing Bill

ess0two

Whats to say the damage ocurred after the surveyor visited?

doberman100

ess0two wrote: »

Whats to say the damage ocurred after the surveyor visited?

Not sure if the roof would rapidly decay in all aspects including felt tears and holes in that space of time. We'll see what happens though.

Thrugelmir

doberman100 wrote: »

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.

Was the attic full of vendors items?

So that damage was not visible.

As a buyer didn't you inspect the property properly?

Morgage_Confused

I wonder if you could post up some pictures of the damage. If its so obvious it should be easy to do.
Late 1800's would probably have been a slate roof with no roofing felt.(possibly clay plain tiles).
Ripped roofing felt would imply a re-roof at some point in the past?
Are you being quoted for a new roof?

On such an old property I would have opted for a full structural survey.

phoebe1989seb

propertyman wrote: »

Well hang on a few £100 for survey doesnt entitle you to ask the Surveyor to put his life and livelihood at risk. You could have and other arrangements to ensure access was safe.

And on the woodworm in many houses up to 80% of the timber is not accessible........if you see woodworm you have to at least recommend that there is enquires about old treatment or investigation.

Re the roof: we did - there was access through one of the walk-in eaves cupboards, past the stairs (along a corridor within the attic itself) and into the void above a large vaulted ceiling (where our two water tanks were situated). We had accessed the attic space this way as had many tradesmen working on our house, but the surveyor couldn't be bothered. Yet he spent in excess of an hour on a ladder photographing our (newly renovated) roof and (recently re-pointed) chimney stacks........which he described as in need of work - he was a complete idiot as he also 'found' asbestos where there was none!

Our house was built in the Tudor period but much of the internal timbers were replaced in the 1930s and were predominantly exposed, so not really hidden. The timber with the woodworm holes was inside a cupboard - one that the surveyor did bother to look in - when we discussed the survey results with our buyers and showed them the evidence of this 'infestation' they admitted the guy was pretty useless

Sorry, but if you opt to go down the career path of becoming a surveyor, surely clambering into potentially dangerous structures and climbing rickety stairs is to be expected? It seems that Elf & Safety is getting beyond a joke.....

Apologies to the OP for going off-topic

vivatifosi

OP, we took legal action against our surveyor for items that were not picked up. We had paid for a full structural survey but they in their wisdom decided to do a homebuyers instead and missed a whole load of issues.

We had to get a second report commissioned before we could take it forward.

What I wanted to point out though, is that we found out that in case law they are now liable for the cost of the repairs, only the difference in valuation to the house between the repaired and unrepaired version, which is generally (from memory, this is a few years back now) 30%-40% of the cost. We claimed just over £4,000, but received £1,500 plus the cost of our survey refunded. We did not engage a solicitor, using the small claims route and Which? Magazine's legal service.

propertyman

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

Sorry, but if you opt to go down the career path of becoming a surveyor, surely clambering into potentially dangerous structures and climbing rickety stairs is to be expected? It seems that Elf & Safety is getting beyond a joke.....

Absolutely not and it is ridiculous to expect that. It is after all just a job, not a mercy service or the forces, and even they have limits.

I am sorry that you were unfortunate in your experience. We churn out a number of surveys and valuations every week and in 30 years while there has been the odd problem, single digits of litigation and none successful.

Our house was built in the Tudor period but much of the internal timbers were replaced in the 1930s and were predominantly exposed, so not really hidden. The timber with the woodworm holes was inside a cupboard

So you see a few bore holes in one timber so thats ok.No need to report that then.
And had it then been active and then spread, not doubt that too would have been his fault. And you would be screaming about suing him.

Mickygg

ess0two wrote: »

Whats to say the damage ocurred after the surveyor visited?

This is surely something the surveyor will say.

I do feel for you OP. I have had a similar experience. The previous owners to the house I have bought concealed water damage through decorating.
Then one month in, heavens opened and water came through the ceilings in 3 places.
My surveyors reports said 'i inspected the roof, all looked serviceable but cannot guarantee there are no leaks as it was not raining at the time of inspection'. Therefore covering himself.
My bill is £1k to put right so I am not challenging the surveyor as it will be a lot of on going hassle that I could do without.
However as someone said above surveys can be a waste of money. I paid for a full building survey and still did not pick up on the roof leaking. When I looked round I saw a water mark on one of the ceilings, and I kick myself for not pointing this out to the surveyor!!!

cicelythepotter

We have had a similar problem to the one above, the report we recieved said the roof of the house was "in a servicable state of repair and free from visible distortion"- absolute !!!!!!!!: in fact it was visibly sagging, failing dangerously and needed completly rebuilding. They had advised it might need some strengthening- we called a builder to give us a quote, he did a 'head and shoulders' inspection of the loftspace, swore loudly, and said 'you need a structural engineer' I have had to move out of my house for 4 and a half months, Esurv are being very unhelpful, offering just 25% of the cost of the work and making ludicrous suggestions such as we could have saved money by competly abandoning the top floor accomodation! The last few months have been hell, meeting day to day expenses has been difficult, and I'm very lucky not to have lost the house and with it any chance of getting on the property ladder for the forseeable future. Thinking of a barclays mortgage, and an esurv survey? based on my experience, I really wouldnt recommend it.... We are preparing court papers.