Should the buyer be present for the survey?

[Deleted User]

So I have a homebuyer's survey booked for the flat I'm (hopefully) buying.

I had planned to be present for the survey in order to get a sense of what the surveyor is looking at and to ask questions about a few specific things. However, the company organising the survey has said they strongly advise against buyers being present as it distracts the surveyor.

I can see that they have a point, but equally I've read stories on this forum of people not getting much detail in their homebuyer's reports and not getting a chance to ask questions, and I don't want to end up in that situation.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should turn up or not?

Errata

The surveyor's job isn't to answer your question whilst he's doing his job, his job is to provide you with a report which you can ask questions about when it's presented to you.
Why aren't you having a full survey?

Old_Git

In the past I have remortgaged my house and been at home when the survey was done .
OK I knew the house as I was living in it but the surveyor said nothing beyond I am here to do a survey.Inside ,outside ,looked in the loft ,gone in 15 minutes and not a word.I am moving next week ,cash buyer this time .I got a survey done for £100 .I wasn't expecting anything as the house is 22 years old .The survey said the shower door was broken (I didn't know that ) and a general lack of maintenance ,I knew that. I wouldn't bother trying to be there for the survey .

motherofstudents

If you have seen anything in the flat that bothers you, you could ask the surveyor to look at it and after the survey (when you get the report) you could ring the surveyor and ask for more details, they are usually pretty helpful.

iammumtoone

I can't see why you are not allowed to be present you are paying for it, even if you don't speak to him you are there to check that he does the job properly (not saying he won't but it would put your mind at rest)

You do not have to ask questions whilst he is carrying out his job just ask once he has finished.

Lots of other contractors have to work whilst people are about, if I have a plumber etc round I am always watching and asking questions. I am not checking up on them just generally interested in how they do things (bet they hate coming to my house :rotfl:)

m0bov

Errata wrote: »

Why aren't you having a full survey?

Cos hes buying a flat.

JQ.

Errata wrote: »

The surveyor's job isn't to answer your question whilst he's doing his job, his job is to provide you with a report which you can ask questions about when it's presented to you.
Why aren't you having a full survey?

This. They are trying to do a job which requires concentration. Does one stand over one's solicitors shoulder while they're reading a lease constantly asking questions, or do you wait for them to do their due diligence, form their opinion and then ask them questions.

iammumtoone

JQ. wrote: »

This. They are trying to do a job which requires concentration. Does one stand over one's solicitors shoulder while they're reading a lease constantly asking questions, or do you wait for them to do their due diligence, form their opinion and then ask them questions.

good point I know its not quite the same but you have made me re-think about standing next to and talking to tradesmen now, I will try to leave them alone next time

[Deleted User]

Okay, perhaps I should have clarified - I wasn't planning to look over the surveyor's shoulder the whole time. I was planning on just running through my concerns at the beginning and then waiting to ask questions at the end - much as others have suggested.

In principle I have no problem with doing that by phone but I have heard stories on this forum of people being unable to contact the surveyor by phone afterwards, hence posting this question.

Errata wrote: »

Why aren't you having a full survey?

Because it's a leasehold flat and that seems like overkill.

JQ.

[Deleted User] wrote:

Okay, perhaps I should have clarified - I wasn't planning to look over the surveyor's shoulder the whole time. I was planning on just running through my concerns at the beginning and then waiting to ask questions at the end - much as others have suggested.

In principle I have no problem with doing that by phone but I have heard stories on this forum of people being unable to contact the surveyor by phone afterwards, hence posting this question.

Then express that concern to the Firm and ask that the surveyor's available for a telephone chat upon receipt of the report. You may actually find you don't have any questions as the report has answered them. If you have anything specific you want him to look at then offer to put it on an email to them before the inspection.

They've stated they don't want you present at the inspection which is for valid reasons. Whilst you may say you won't interfere, they won't believe you, as the majority who do want to attend do exactly that.

System

[Deleted User] wrote:

Okay, perhaps I should have clarified - I wasn't planning to look over the surveyor's shoulder the whole time. I was planning on just running through my concerns at the beginning and then waiting to ask questions at the end - much as others have suggested.

And if your questions aren't covered by the level of survey that you have chosen?