Buying House - New extension underpinning due to Building Regs.

Ginger1

Hi all,

We have found a great house, which we have had an offer accepted on and all was going well.

Last year the current owner put an small extension onto the property for a utility room, but did not get building regs sign-off during and after the build. They have now engaged the building inspector and he has said the foundations do not match the depth of the main house, therefore they need to underpin the extension, which they are doing now.

This is nothing to do with subsidence at all and has past a structural survey without issue.

The problem we now face is not being able to get building insurance. My current insurer stated that do not touch underpinned properties at all.

The building inspector is going to 'sign off' the underpinning work next week, but I'm unsure if underpinning will appear on the certificate he issues so will it just be, the extension passes as regulations, as if it had been built from new?

Also, do I need to declare to the insurance companies the extension is underpinned as they only ask if the property has suffered from subsidence, flooding or heave?

don't know if we can continue with the purchase as it is, so any advise will be very useful!!!

Many Thanks
G

liamfahy

I would do some research to find an insurance company that will cover the property by explaining the situation fully. If you cannot get insurance cover then you shouldn't buy the property.

Ginger1

Thanks for the note. We are coming to the same conclusion. I'm going to discuss our options with the estate agent tomorrow. May suggest they pulling it down and reduce the price of the property, but can't see them wanting to do that....

Furts

My concern would be the foundations are the first operation on building an extension, and the owner decided to cut corners. What else could have corners cut that you are not aware of?

Is the Building Inspector checking the insulation under the ground floor slab? Or in the cavity walls? Or the integrity of the roof?

Basically you are purchasing from either a fool or a cowboy. With that in mind it is for you to decide if you wish to proceed.