Got the homebuyers report through. Few red flags. What next?

Dan-Dan

HTB_newbie wrote: »

Hi

When I bought my first house, I used the EA to arrange for an electrician to come around which I paid for. I went through the EA as they were aware of independent reputable electricians used for the same reasons for other houses they sold in the past and so felt that this would be better than just opening up the yellow pages and not knowing anything about the quality of the electrician. They accurately identified what need doing immediately, what could be left but should get done when we could afford to etc.. The cost of the immediate works was £900 and the seller agreed to leave various things that they were until that point taking in the fixtures and fittings like carpets, curtain poles, curtains, blinds, cooker, washing machine and other stuff useful initially to a FTB etc.. as their contribution to these costs.

So perhaps the your IFA means to go through the EA to get recommendation of a reputable electrican?

Love it , EA`s sewing it all up , with the able assistance of clueless numptys

DRP

HTB_newbie wrote: »

Hi

When I bought my first house, I used the EA to arrange for an electrician to come around which I paid for. I went through the EA as they were aware of independent reputable electricians used for the same reasons for other houses they sold in the past and so felt that this would be better than just opening up the yellow pages and not knowing anything about the quality of the electrician. They accurately identified what need doing immediately, what could be left but should get done when we could afford to etc.. The cost of the immediate works was £900 and the seller agreed to leave various things that they were until that point taking in the fixtures and fittings like carpets, curtain poles, curtains, blinds, cooker, washing machine and other stuff useful initially to a FTB etc.. as their contribution to these costs.

So perhaps the your IFA means to go through the EA to get recommendation of a reputable electrican?

I wouldn't be allowing the vendor's EA to arrange anything for me.... :eek:

DRP

jiggy2 wrote: »

point no 3.

http://www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/

Cost around £200 to £250 for the damp survey.

Another source is your Homebuyer surveyor. He gave me a list of firms and it cost £160 for a non-destructive (no sampling) damp and timber survey.

Malks

The point about the electrics is just the surveyor covering himself. It doesn’t mean it is dangerous, it just doesn’t comply with today’s regulations, which is what you would expect from a 1930’s house, that hasn’t been rewired in the last year or so. If concerned organise and electrical test.

As for the cracked chimney, most surveys are done from the ground looking up, so to me this would definitely need someone to go round to look and quote on the repair. Most local roofers will do this for you

As for the damp, a question to ask how much higher than normal is the damp readings? You would need a damp specialist to look into this. Could the damp be linked to the cracked chimney, is the damp in the same area as the fireplace?

If you have concerns it is down to you as the buyer to organise additional checks, you need to speak to the trades concerned explain the situation and have a couple of dates \ times they can attend, then get back to the agent to arrange a time with the seller for them to visit.

I personally wouldn't trust the EA to get people they know to quote, as I would be wondering what the EA's cut would be.

kirstym100

I would agree it is definitely up to the buyer to instigate and pay for further checks/ surveys. My survey highlighted possible electrical issues, and woodworm - I sourced a local electrician to do an EICR (electrical installation condition report) and an independent timber and damp specialist to review the woodworm. The electrical report was £140, and the woodworm £150. The electrician highlighted some dangerous issues which we were then able to get the vendor to pay to remedy (using the same electrician). He now has a certificate should the sale fall through. The woodworm infestation was also confirmed as 'live' requiring chemical treatment, but we will pay for that when we move in (as it is not costly, and is localised).

witchy1066

Dan-Dan wrote: »

hmmm, there is no way on earth a seller living in their house , presumably death free is going to pay to have their electrics checked with no gurantee of sale

you can try but...

I must be very lucky as well as not living in the real world because I have just had a phone call from my venders EA and he has got all the reports requested,
and I was the one who picked the electrician , also the builder ,
the vender from what I have been told by his EA is happy to pay for all the reports , any work needed he is happy to have done ,
he doesn't want any haggling over a few 100 pound (EA words)
RESULT

I really must live on another planet , as I have said even if I pull out of this sale my vender still wants/needs to sell his house , so was quite happy to have the reports done on the advise of his EA

witchy1066

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Love it , EA`s sewing it all up , with the able assistance of clueless numptys

Dan, how would EA giving a list of tradespeople be a problem,
one of our local EA are very good friends of ours , we socialise with them ,in the past we have used the same tradespeople
even EA's have houses and family's and yes in some cases friends

and I hope by clueless numpty's you don't mean FTB's
everyone has to start somewhere , and I personally would rather have a recommendation from an EA then simply stick a pin in the yellow pages

also if you live in a small community like I do , everyone knows the reputable ,electicians, corgi reg gas fitters , builder, joiners ,
so the chances of my vender and myself picking the same one are odds of around 99.9%

JustAnotherSaver

I can sort of grasp why some say they'd not have the sellers EA recommending anyone

BUT...

EA recommends bob the builder. He comes out & says chimney is perfectly fine, stop worrying & puts this in writing.
We move in & chimney falls apart.

Isn't he risking it by putting in a bogus review? Surely they're not going to risk their livelihood just because they're pally with an EA?

witchy1066

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I can sort of grasp why some say they'd not have the sellers EA recommending anyone

BUT...

EA recommends bob the builder. He comes out & says chimney is perfectly fine, stop worrying & puts this in writing.
We move in & chimney falls apart.

Isn't he risking it by putting in a bogus review? Surely they're not going to risk their livelihood just because they're pally with an EA?

I think what posters are saying but not sure, is the EA's could have an interest by recommending tradesman by getting some kind of backhander from them if any work comes their way,

providing you get a reputable electrician with the appropriate qualifications or whatever it is you need and they write the report up and any costs for works , what else can you do,

a lot of people don't trust EA which in many cases they have cause not to but if you feel comfortable with their recommendations then go for it ,

has anyone in your area had work done lately ? you could ask them if they would recommend ,

your only other option is to pick local firms in the hope they will be honest and fair in their reports, if they value their reputation, you will be ok,

just a thought did you say you needed a damp and timber report ? it might be worth a try and ring your lender , our lender offered a free damp and timber survey , not saying it will be free for you but they might recommend someone

all the best ,hope it goes well

somethingcorporate

Any half-decent sensible buyer would want to have their own surveys done by people that they trust. I wouldn't take much notice of anything the seller had done as the person that carried out that report would have no liability to you as you a) didn't own the property the time the survey was done and b) wouldn't be party to the contract between the tradesperson and the current owner.

You've been lucky if you had the seller to pay for the reports. Paying for the repairs if they were a deal breaker is fine but expecting them to pay for your further investigations is naive. I've bought 3 houses and all needed further investigation after the survey came back but we paid for the reports to be done and then used these to negotiate with the seller.