Survey

es123

Hi all,

A recent member of the forum and also a first time buyer. Apologies in advanced for any silly questions.

After reading a few things on this forum, I have decided I would like to get a full survey done on the house. It's around 17 years old but I don't mind spending a touch more in order to make sure everything is ok.

Is my lender likely to give me the option to upgrade thier survey? At a cost of course.....but just trying to understand the common practice and what I need to do to get this arranged.

Thanks all.

dominoman

Yes - you can ask the lender to upgrade from their basic valuation to a full survey.

Personally I prefer to get a fully independent RICS surveyor that I trust, but then that is for Victorian houses.

For a 17 year old house I don't think it is a real worry. Not sure I'd bother with a survey at all for such a new property - unless I saw something of concern.

Alphamare

We had an independent survey on a property of a similar age. Verbally we were told that it was well built. Only to then (waiting for the survey itself now) be told that he thinks it's moving. !!!!!!!? A less than 20 year old well built property is moving. I don't know. We are not sure what to do now. Let this tale help you decide if you want a survey on a newer property.

G_M

Most lenders will give you the option. Ask them for a price. You do understand the difference between Valuation; Homebuyers Report; and full survey?

Call a few RICS surveyors to compare price but if you get the survey independantly you'll still have to pay for the lender's Valuation, so factor that in).

Halle71

We have just had surveys done and paid about £400 for the bank's valuation survey and £700 for our own full building survey with a RICS surveyor. We could have upgraded and paid a total of £600 for a homebuyer's report through the bank but the house is 100 years old and been unoccupied for a year so we wanted to know exactly what we were letting ourselves in for.

On a house the age of yours I would probably only do a valuation survey or homebuyer's if I had any concerns.