Do I need a full structural building survey

Kynthia

You and your OH need to sit down and agree whether to get a homebuyers survey, a full structural survey or to not bother at all. Asking friends and family is a good way to get advice and other opinions, but also do more research from impartial professionals too and understand the consequences of all options before deciding which way you want to go.

arthurdick

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

Hang on Arthurdick, I'm offering an opinion and as such my views are as valid as yours. We just have a different point of view and the OP is entitled to a bit of balance.

You have cited precisely the circumstances that this surveying lark preys on - insecurity. "What will happen if....?", "who will cover my potential losses if...?" etc. Well, I can tell you it won't be a surveyor.

The fact of the matter is that whatever survey you have done, the surveyor will ensure the report is couched in terms that cover his rear end; he will recommend you get in specialists or have the blatant cheek to say he didn't examine some things because a carpet was in the way or the wallpaper hid severe problems or such like.

A so-called structural survey will cost the OP a lot of money and, in truth, most people won't walk away once they've spent money on a house even if the surveyor has the balls to say what he really thinks instead of just picking up a pay cheque.

Tell you what OP, spend your hard-earned on getting a 'professional opinion' then come back and let us know if it was worth the money. And how much you have to spend on the recommended specialists.

hang on lordy, i am not having a go at you mate, or your views, i know where you are coming from..and i do sort of agree with you, but only because i have been there and done that before, i have bought and sold 5 houses over the years, not all with a full structural , some you can just sort of sum up yourself.
it was just that the o.p. as a 1st time buyer, was unsure of what to do

Lord_Baltimore

arthurdick wrote: »

hang on lordy, i am not having a go at you mate, or your views, i know where you are coming from..and i do sort of agree with you, but only because i have been there and done that before, i have bought and sold 5 houses over the years, not all with a full structural , some you can just sort of sum up yourself.
it was just that the o.p. as a 1st time buyer, was unsure of what to do

Ok Arthur, my apologies. We clearly both have experience in property and hopefully our opinions will help the OP to arrive at a considered decision.

I certainly don't think my view is right and that anything otherwise is wrong but a full structural is sometimes relied upon by the layman whereas it isn't necessarily the be all and end all.

Survey or not, keep your eyes open and rely on your own judgement too OP; it's your money after all.

propertyman

botchjob wrote: »

late on this but we had a great surveyor for our current house who bluntly said it was a waste of time getting a full structural survey on the (Victorian) house unless it had been extended. As it had a kitchen extension, and as a bit of paperwork was missing, we ended up having a full structural survey done.

Which turned up nothing untoward that one would expect from a 120 year old house that had stood all that time.

I agree that there's a hysteria among many buyers who like hand holding and think it would be MAD not to have a full structural. Well it's not.

By your own logic "if the survey did turn up something untoward that one would not expect from a 120 year old house that had stood all that time" then it was mad not to do it then?:rotfl:

The point is that if a buyer knows little or nothing about property, they have the choice of whether to make an informed decision or are prepared to accept the risk and cost of a what if.

If they can, and moreover afford it, then they can have stage 1 mortgage valuation. And if so, I would repeat

for many homes a sensible buyer is better off thinking about having his own electrical gas and plant (boilers tanks etc) tests, and examining service histories, drains chimneys flues etc tested, and a timber and damp survey, alongside one of these inspections, especially in older premises

It is a choice:money: