Homebuyer Report is back and panicking - help!

ormonde

LuSiVe wrote: »

Yeah, I've had a search through the forum now for damp on Homebuyers reports.

If I can't find an independent damp surveyor close enough, is paying (someone like) Rentokil for their report the next best thing?

We used J H Rees &son, Doncaster. They cover Sheffield so probably cover Chesterfield. Did a good thorough job. Happy to recommend them, no connection etc.

DRP

how does the chimney stack look?

any remedial work you need to do that involves roof/chimney - even just re-rendering - will cost you thousands. So get some advice on this (and take a look!)

LuSiVe

Thanks for that.

I've had the surveyor on the phone ... he seems to think it's probably a £100s rather than £1000s problem, and that I should get the floor checked for potential problems rather than actual at the moment.

I have emailed JH Rees for a quote for a survey but will also see how much Rentokil would charge.

DRP

LuSiVe wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I've had the surveyor on the phone ... he seems to think it's probably a £100s rather than £1000s problem, and that I should get the floor checked for potential problems rather than actual at the moment.

I have emailed JH Rees for a quote for a survey but will also see how much Rentokil would charge.

for what work?

LuSiVe

Sorting the paving being too close to the damp-proof, the vents, fixing plaster already damaged. Don't know what is doable by me and what needs someone who knows what they are doing.

To be fair, it was me that asked if he thought the problems he identified would take £1000s to fix, as if he knew that was already the case there's no point in my continuing.

LuSiVe

Damp surveyor is contacting EA today to sort out a time.

My worry now is that he needs to access the floorboards and the vendor won't let him rip up the flooring to get to them, making this pointless. Any advice?

bclark

LuSiVe wrote: »

Damp surveyor is contacting EA today to sort out a time.

My worry now is that he needs to access the floorboards and the vendor won't let him rip up the flooring to get to them, making this pointless. Any advice?

Yes. Unless there is proper concern about a serious damp issue then don't worry, the sort of damp meter they use for these surveys is pretty inaccurate and triggers for things like cold.

If the damp surveyors you have instructed also do any business in dealing with damp then expect them to find some that needs some paying work, especially if the survey they are doing is free.

LuSiVe

I'm paying for the survey. They are independent and don't do any work.

bclark

LuSiVe wrote: »

I'm paying for the survey. They are independent and don't do any work.

Good start.

As for pulling up the floor, I personally wouldn't let you unless you financially commited to putting it right whether you bought the house or not. Whether this is an issue your damp surveyor will be able to advise.

LuSiVe

If the surveyor needs access to the floorboards and the vendor won't let him I'm going to have to pull out of the sale. I really don't want to and there being a problem isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but if I can't quantify it ...