how serious is this?

patrick_bs15

Thanks EvaCustard - I'm slightly cynical by nature and I think a lot of so-called experts make money by panicking gullible people...

I think my best course of action is to wait for the HomeBuyer's Report - however, I've already said to both my solicitor and the seller's EA that I'm expecting the seller to pay for treatment before exchange of contracts...

G_M

These firms often spot holesin wood that indicate woodworm at some point. 99% of the time, the worm was there and active soon after the property was built, when the wood was 'fresh'.

20 years ago? 40? 100? However old the house is.

The beetle are usually long-gone, butof course the holes don't disappear!

the company then points at the holes, causes the buyer/seller/ whoever to panic, and quotes for spraying. A nice little earner!

What matters is whether the beetle are currently active!

patrick_bs15

kingstreet - you are even more cynical than me... !

You're right, it's a case of waiting for the Home buyer's Report now...

antrobus

Mallotum_X wrote: »

Do you know who instructed the damp treatment company to investigate?

It is unusual for such a report to come via the agent.

The agent is probably expecting a kickback.

patrick_bs15 wrote: »

....So, do you think this is a serious issue, or do you think I'm being a bit of a drama queen? (Honest feedback appreciated!).....

I don't know. I haven't seen the roof void in question.:) But read this :- http://www.askjeff.co.uk/woodworm.html

patrick_bs15

G_M - a very good point, thank you

To be fair, the guy from the damp treatment company said a great deal of properties probably have this issue...

But as I'm buying a house on my own, those words don't inspire me with a lot of confidence...

antrobus - thanks for that link - definitely food for thought before just diving in and getting (un)necessary damp treatment done!

Auntie-Dolly

Why is the EA commissioning damp reports? It sounds like a complete scam to me. Wait until your own report comes through. As another poster pointed out, it is in their interest to find something wrong so they can fix it.

patrick_bs15

Hello again -
Received HomeBuyer's Report today and... surprise, surprise... not even mentioned!

It reads, 'The visible roof timbers appeared to be in a reasonable condition for their age and type and where visible no significant defects were noted.' (Roof structure - category 1 according to surveyor).

I forwarded the EA's attachment from the damp treatment company to the surveyor and he said he was 'surprised, to say the least!'

Spoke to someone at EA (not the sales progressor, who is on holiday and back on Monday - he'll definitely be getting a phone call from me then) who said that bloke from damp treatment company gets a lot of work through them - I'll bet he does! What a convenient arrangement...

So, after being in a bit of a panic yesterday I now feel calmer. Still don't know if the seller got the damp company out in the first place - I doubt it, probably the EA...

Could turn out to be a bit of a mountain out of a molehill, really. Will let you know the outcome of conversation with sales negotiator on Monday...

P.S. Auntie-Dolly: your comment has been noted!

floss2

Auntie-Dolly wrote: »

Why is the EA commissioning damp reports? It sounds like a complete scam to me. Wait until your own report comes through....

I completely agree - my full survey raised issues with damp levels in 2 rooms and concern for floor timbers as a potential result, but the damp report has been commissioned by me (and paid for by me) as that is the condition of the mortgage offer from my lender.