Building Survey has come back - Arghhh! Need some advice please....

Dalmation

maninthestreet wrote: »

They roof is slates, isnt it?

Yes, slate.

DRP

Dalmation wrote: »

It says that "dampness was evident at the head of all chimney breasts on the upper floor level and further investigation as to the cause of water penetration and remedial work is required"

i'd be ringing the surveyor to find out what exactly that means.

Also it is always a good idea to speak to them as a frank conversation as they may dispel or support any worries you have. My recent surveyor was happy to take a call and we exchanged several phone calls.

Building_Surveyor

All the stuff listed sounds standard for a property of this age. Whether you do the work now or at a later date is up to you but I would recommend getting an independent eletric test and gas check at the very least.

You don't say how big the house is but just the replacement windows and doors will eat into that 7k budget very quickly.

harrys_dad

Dalmation wrote: »

Thanks for the positive there. We've got the house at a very good price so I don't think the vendor would knock any more off.

When I bought mine four years ago the survey said that the roof had a life of 120 years; it is 119 years old now.

In the recent severe storms (I live 50 yards from the sea in the north west) I lost one slate (some more modern houses lost their whole roof), which cost me £30 to have replaced. I asked the roofer if he needed to do any more remedial work and he said "it is in an ok condition, I would leave it as it is".

I love living in a Victorian house with high ceilings, big rooms, and many original features. You will love it, so pay the "very good price" you got, accept it might require ongoing maintenance, and be glad you are not living in a modern new built shoe box with no storage

Road_Hog

As many people have said, this is standard stuff and most surveyors @rse cover, because of where there's blame there's a claim industry.


You're never ever going to get a survey that says that a house is perfect and needs nothing doing. Houses are on going projects and always need maintenance.


If you're getting the house for a good price (as you've said) do you really want to possibly upset the vendor and risk the sale?


I had a buyer recently who was dragging his heels and after three and half months, I told the EA that I wanted to remarket it, he was like, yeah let's go for it, the market has moved on, we can get another £20k for it (London).


The solicitor was on the phone the next day (EA had informed buyer) saying he wanted to exchange that day and complete a week later.


If it hadn't been for the wife being stressed, I would have said, not interested (in fact I actually did say that until I saw how stressed the wife was at my reply). So think very carefully before you try to negotiate.

Newly_retired

We managed to negotiate £2.5k off the offer price of our purchase last year as the boiler needed replacing. There were other things on the survey eg electrics, which we regarded as not urgent or general maintenance.

jules888

We had a few red urgent things on survey which came back valuing the house at 10k less than we had offered.
So we told vendor we would only pay the survey price which they reluctantly accepted.
We have since spent 11k on the house,all new windows,doors etc,this is still without replacing the 30 year old boiler /the bathroom.
But we did get it at good price as they"d already reduced it by 15k!

Dalmation

Thank you all for your replies. I'm getting tradesmen to view the property and give me quotes on the work prior to exchanging contracts.
The report mentions scaffolding - as the property is 3 storey. Is it expensive?

Building_Surveyor

Dalmation wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. I'm getting tradesmen to view the property and give me quotes on the work prior to exchanging contracts.
The report mentions scaffolding - as the property is 3 storey. Is it expensive?

Depends how long it's up for, and the extent of scaffolding you need.

ConfusedofYorkshire

I've been quoted 700 for scaffolding on a 2 storey house