Requesting alternative surveyor

gavynn

Might go with a mortgage from a large company but their preferred surveyors dont seem to be good from what I hear. Can I request they use an alternative - I am inclined to pay extra for a homebuyer survey BTW?

G_M

No.

They will appoint whoever they want to do a Valuation for them. You cannot influence this.

However, it is up to you whether you want to get their surveyor to ALSO do a survey for you (Homebuyers or whatever), or you can appoint someone yourself.

http://www.rics.org/uk/find-a-member/

kingstreet

I would suggest using an independent surveyor for your survey, rather than the lender's panel firm.

You will probably get both done quicker if you do.

In costs terms, there's for example a £210 difference between Nationwide valuation fees and the cost of their homebuyer's report, so if you can get your independent surveyor to do your homebuyer's for that price, you'll have lost nothing.

propertyman

Well I disagree that you cannot influence this, the lender can use another firm on their panel, if pressed. its not simply that you are paying the cost, but as the surveying firm or company has a direct legal liability to the borrower, you, you have every right to insist on a surveyor that you are comfortable with.

hazyjo

The mortgage lender would probably use the same person to value and survey. He may well get it all processed and typed up at the same time, or, like mine, give the valuation earlier then (eventually, after much chasing) send the survey three weeks later. Grrrr.

Saying that, I'd probably still use them!

Would be a bit of a pain for me as a seller to have two visits (separate valuer and surveyor), but not a major problem in the scheme of things. Surveyor can collect keys from EA, but I don't always like doing that, especially with my neurotic cat!

Jx