What to do now ?

jonboy13

Just wanted a quick bit of advice. Our surveyors report has come back on our intended purchase ( house built in 1915 ) and he's pointed out that the roof is not lined just tiled. His opinion is that we should consider having it lined which would cost £2-3000 and offer a second line defence to any tiles coming loose. It also needs some repointing and minor external decor - usual stuff really for an older property. He has also said that it's not critical and could be carried out at some point in the future. Usually, I'm a tight old git ! but even I'm not convinced that we can use this to negotiate anything off the asking price (not sure if I want the hassle of getting quotes etc and slowing the process up as we wanted to complete by end of July). Our decsion making is being clouded by the professional camp ie solicitors etc who recommend we lower our offer price accordingly and our friends/colleagues who say don't worry about it and indeed if it ain't broke don't fix it. .
One other thing - the seller also upgraded the central heating and electrics himself but has had it all signed off by a CORGI plumber and an electrician. Again the surveyor has recommended we get the system (which has been installed very professionally he says) tested ourselves but do we really need to if he has all the paperwork.
Any thoughts gratefully appreciated

Jonboy

Doozergirl

You want it signed off for building regs really. I'm not sure why a plumber and electrician would sign it off for him - they are protected by their schemes because they are qualified to carry out that work, your vendor isn't.

Not to say that it is a problem that he has done it himself as long as he has correct certification, which would normally be from building control.

I would ask to see those certs asap so you can make the decision whether to have them double checked.

My last vendor reckoned he'd had the whole house rewired. My electrician condemned the lot. I swear every tradesman that had been in there for 40 years had been wearing a Stetson.

Dead_Eye_Jones

yep traditionally you should offer a lower price.

When I bought my place we had already negotiated a discount.. The survey came back with a dozen things wrong with the roof - also circa 1910! We asked for more moeny off. They said no,they already went as low as they could. We bought it anyway. I think they secretly knew we were always going to!

We havent done a thing to the roof. Two years later. Its still there. I think surveyors have to make these recomendations. I dunno, my folks were told they needed a new roof on their Victorian place - 25years ago!! However its definitely on our "to do" list. I do suspect we will move before we get round to it though. And then our buyer will prob ask for a discount and will decide whether to walk away or not. It was by far the nicest house in our price bracket. And we werent prepared to lose it for £3k.

I think you should ask for a discount to cover the cost. But dont hold your breath - they can and may well say no. Best of luck !

undercoat11

I don't think our house has the roof lined - they didn't line them years ago but it hasn't affected the condition of the roof as we don't have any tiles off, etc. Only newer houses have them lined with roofing felt. Can you ask for a discount because of this? If I was selling the house, I would tell you to go and buy a new house (very politely of course)!

jonboy13

thanks guys for the replies - in fact the roof issue seems secondary to the electrics etc which I will look into..thanks doozergirl. Our surveyor actually told us these bits over the phone so once we get the report then we can glean more info. He did say the house was in great condition for it's age and as you say dead eye jones, we love the house, it's a perfect price and they know we'll buy it whatever - heart ruling head methinks !!!
Onwards and upwards eh !!!

jonboy13

i'm inclined to agree with you undercoat...I reckon I'll get saving the pennies then maybe do an attic conversion in years to come ?? A colleague had her roof 'upgraded' and has regretted it ever since....
thanks again

Jonbvn

To be honest surveyors are almost duty bound to find some defects, sort of like a professional raison d'etre!

Furthermore, surveyors will always err on the conservative side, for legal reasons. I.e. if they did not mention something, then you could possibly sue them. Naturally, this makes them somewhat cautious!

Always best to bear the above in mind when you receive a survey report.