survey booked but no surveyor contact

timor_2

Is it unusual to contact the surveyor before they carry out a survey?

Like, highlight some areas that you would like more attention to e.g, lofts, drains etc

People may argue this is the surveyor's job anyway but reading all the posts around here it doesn't always seem to be the case.

I booked a homebuyer's survey with the valuation of the property through the bank, since it was more economical. After payment I received a text from the bank with the date of the survey.

My FA did not pass me any details for the surveyor, only said that I will receive the results a few days later and that it is the bank who arrange it.

I called the EA, who essentially works for the vendor, and asked to make sure the surveyor will have access to all areas and the loft. Again, he was unwilling to pass me any information about the surveyor.

A friend of mine had asked for the surveyor to contact them prior to the survey, so that they can ask for specific details to be checked. I understand the valuation is carried out on behalf of the bank but the survey is carried out on my behalf and, since I am paying for it, I thought it would be normal to have those details.

Why is it so difficult to obtain contact information about the surveyor?

Eviesmummy

I just had the valuation survey, but I had no contact with the surveyor at all! I was told via my broker what date it would be, the next thing I heard was that it had been done and the mortgage had been approved.

DaftyDuck

If you are paying personally for part of the survey, you should be able to contact the surveyor yourself. I would always want to speak to a surveyor and, when getting a structural survey, I always add a handful of specific points I'd like addressing. I'd also prefer to have chatted with a surveyor pre-booking him, so I have an idea that he is on the ball, knows the kind of property he's being asked to look at.

Annie1960

Get back to the bank, ask to know the details of the surveyor, and if they won't tell you then cancel and book your own survey.

It sounds like your choice is:

a. a cheap survey where you can't talk to the surveyor in advance, or
b. pay more and have more control.

dannim12345

Mine was through Halifax (they use Colleys) and the surveyor phoned me the day before. He was very nice and I pointed out some things I had noticed on my viewing.

timor_2

Annie1960 wrote: »

Get back to the bank, ask to know the details of the surveyor, and if they won't tell you then cancel and book your own survey.

It sounds like your choice is:

a. a cheap survey where you can't talk to the surveyor in advance, or
b. pay more and have more control.

I agree, but I have already paid the fee for valuation and survey.

Not happy about the lack of contact details and not hearing from the surveyor. The EA told me it was booked with countrywide but they wouldn't let me know of any further information.

It does sound ridiculous for such an important element of the house buying process.

Should I ask my FA for a contact with the bank?

Gonzo1987

If you phone countrywide they should be able to get the surveyor to call you back.
Surveyor's will be happy to talk to you before/after the survey, but it's not the done thing to phone every single person before it takes place.

Phone the admin office and ask for somewhere to send an email with points you want to raise.

Mrs_Soup

I can't recall having had any contact with the surveyor eiether time I bought a property but I would expect to be able to if I had wished if I was paying for it.

Annie1960

timor wrote: »

I agree, but I have already paid the fee for valuation and survey.

Not happy about the lack of contact details and not hearing from the surveyor. The EA told me it was booked with countrywide but they wouldn't let me know of any further information.

It does sound ridiculous for such an important element of the house buying process.

Should I ask my FA for a contact with the bank?

Perhaps the EA doesn't know the details.

In your position I would definitely do whatever I could to speak to or email the person who will be doing the survey.

If you know it's with Countrywide, then maybe try to contact them directly and see if you get anywhere.

timor_2

Annie1960 wrote: »

Perhaps the EA doesn't know the details.

In your position I would definitely do whatever I could to speak to or email the person who will be doing the survey.

If you know it's with Countrywide, then maybe try to contact them directly and see if you get anywhere.

Hi, following my last post I did exactly that.

I actually managed to get to their surveyor's department and confirmed the booking. They contacted the surveyor who gave me a call this afternoon. So not bad, considering some negative reviews I've read on countrywide here.

It sounds like a local surveyor, so hopefully they'll do a good job.

Thanks for all the replies!

xemmax

Mine was with Countrywide too (was also worried by the bad reviews online), the surveyor phoned me a couple of days before to tell me when he would be carrying out the survey and asked if I had any concerns or anything I would like him to focus on. Had the survey results back the next day by email.