Have we done the right thing??

thestens

House we are buying is old and has some issues, although structural survey came back pretty OK (except chimney and other pointing - could this be expensive??)
However, one of the things we like about the house is the new timber framed windows, which look beautiful and were made by a carpenter - but they are not FENSA registered or signed off by the building inspector. Other work done in the house between 2004 and 2011 (kitchen,moved and refitted, new staircase, installation of multi fuel stove, etc) is not signed off either. The vendors say this is because they didn't actually finish what was on the original plans (and we think they changed a few things too). Our solicitor has made strong noises about not buying it, difficulty with resale, etc. We have decided that she will ask the vendors to get the building inspector in to look at the work and hopefully sign it off. We decided against an indemnity policy, as there seems a lot of stuff.
We really like the house and are fairly confident that the work is OK, but it is the resale aspect that worries us, as we will want to sell within 10 years - it isn't a place to live when we are old - too isolated! Are we doing the correct thing and should we walk away if the work can't be signed off??

HelenRachel

Hi

I think you are the only ones who can really answer this question. I think getting the work signed off would be the correct thing to do and obviously save a lot of heartache when you come to sell. But if the work can't be signed off then you risk either having to sort this issue out yourself so it passes building regs (not sure if you would be made to put it back) or you may have problems selling.