Surveyor Error - HELP!!!

mark_butler83

Hi Guys,

We were told in our survey that the roof was of a fair condition and no immediate work needed doing, which was part of the reason we bought the property.

Two weeks in and we have been told the whole roof with need replacing due to rot in the timbers. We have also already paid out nearly £1000 to sort out the damp as result of the rot/damp?

This should have been picked up by them right?

Can anyone advise as to where we stand? And what we might be able to do.

Thanks

dimbo61

You need to read the survey carefully.
Did you have a FULL SURVEY done or just a valuation survey.

Freecall

I would say that if you had a full structural survey then it should have been picked up from the way you describe it.

You do need to read the survey carefully however. At the end of the day surveyors can only report what they see.

mark_butler83

If it were possible to send pictures on here I would attach the paragraphs from the survey to show you... Mad far as it reads it's in reasonable condition without any noticeable needs for concern. A should think a rotting timber something to concern myself about :S any thoughts?

LisaLou1982

Was it a valuation survey, a homebuyers, or a full survey that you paid for?

Did the surveyor mention that they had been into the loft?

DRP

Who told you the whole roof needs replacing?

Do you trust them?

Are they qualified?

Have you had a second opinion?

cloo

Yes, if it was a passing roofer then I might not trust their view, so it does depend where the opinion came from.

Audrey_Wright

Check at what survey you have participated in and who has done it. Ones you have that information, you can pretty much guess for yourself the quality of the service and the future ground for a claim.

teneighty

I will repeat what I posted on a similar thread recently:

The critical point is that you have to demonstrate that the surveyor missed something that an average competent surveyor would have found at the time of the inspection.

The important question is was there anything visible or evidence available suggesting rotten timbers to the roof that a competent surveyor should have noticed at the time of the inspection? Was the loft full of the vendors' stored possessions? Were the rotten timbers hidden under layers of insulation etc? Was it safe for the surveyor to access the loft?

If the the defect should have been visible and the surveyor did not state in his report that he could not fully access the loft then you should lodge a formal complaint with the company and follow their complaints procedure. If that does not produce a satisfactory conclusion and the company is Chartered then you can make a free complaint via their nominated independent Ombudsman scheme.

You can claim for any financial loss you have suffered as a result of the errors in the report. That may be the cost of the repairs or the reduction in value of the property with the defects, whichever is the lower figure.

Good Luck

boqq_2

Follow teneighty's advice. If you go to the ombudsman, don't accept the first decision. Keep on appealing till you get to the ombudsman. We ended up spending £20000 and only getting £3000 back. So you might want to consider legal action instead but guess it's better than nothing...

mark_butler83

Ok so I will try and answer all the questions on here.

The survey was a full homebuyer report and thank god it was.

The roofer in question is a friends family roofer who they have known for years so I wouldn't initially question their approach. But I see your point and may look at getting a second opinion.

As far as the "reading it carefully" is concerned, this is what the whole paragraph states.....

INSIDE THE PROPERTY "The roof is tradition timber, purlin and rare construction supporting the original clay tiles with no felt lining. There are no serious defects apparent in the roof void and the fire wall and chimney breasts appear to be in reasonable condition. Overall although gaps to tiles are visible."

OUTSIDE THE PROPERTY "blah blah blah about pitched etc... The roof is in reasonable condition but will require ongoing maintenance and replacement of tiles in due course"

Your help is really appreciated on this and any experience of the process or help would be, and is greatly appreciated.

Thanks