Raft Foundations & Dodgy Conservatory

bobbytooshoes

Hi

Just wanting to gauge peoples experiences/opinions on the following:

We had an offer accepted on a house early February, have mortgage in place, survey done and is currently going through legals.

The survey highlighted that the conservatory was not of standard construction in that it has a heavy slate roof positioned on a plastic base and the timbers are beginning to bow slightly. The solicitor asked the vendor to obtain retrospective planning permission but they have said because it was built over 10 years ago and is only small they don't have to. That's fine but now we either continue on with it as it is or have the expense of a structural surveyor. Should we ask the vendors to contribute towards these costs?

It has come to light through the solicitor that the vendor 'thinks' the house was built on a raft. It is in an ex mining area. Does anyone have any experience of this? Should we be worried?

Also, the surveyor pointed out several trees surrounding the property and advised we get a tree specialist to look at these. I'm worried this + the raft foundations may spell future trouble.

We have contacted the selling agent to arrange a further viewing to try and get to the bottom of these issues but she seems reluctant. She is too busy herself and can't get in touch with the vendor.

We are FTB by the way!!

lincroft1710

If this structure has a slate roof, it is not a conservatory! It doesn't matter what the vendor "thinks", it is for you (at your expense) to satisfy yourselves that the house has suitable foundations and no expensive repairs are likely in the short term.

Houses built in mining areas can be subject to subsidence, and trees also cause subsidence, so a structural engineer's report may be desirable.

Insist that EA contacts vendor to arrange further viewing or threaten to pull out of sale.

Furts

A "raft" is not a straight forward piece of design or construction. It is a concrete slab with a thickening to take load bearing walls. It relies on a network of steel reinforcing bars all embedded in the concrete to ensure the slab does not crack up. If the bar sizes, centres, or depths are not correct problems can arise.

OP should be asking for proof of design (drawings and records) and supervision records of construction. It is likely none are available. If so, the sensible solution is to regard the raft as suspect and budget according to this.

Rafts used in mining areas need not be a problem. In fact a good idea.

Trees would only be a problem if interfering with services, footpaths, foundations etc. If the house is in an area where clay soil exists the trees might cause problems - it depends how far they are from the house.