am i really being that difficult?

cookie_monster_2

thank you . without family to go through these kind of things with it's difficult and we don't really have anyone to go to. we're both novices (and that's generous).


there were other issues picked up BUT after another inspection, paid for by us, we have found it's not really anything to worry about.


there was electrics that apparently don't meet today's regulations but we don't think this is of a problem worth investigating as it is exactly the same as the one that our friends have - it's not totally modern but not ancient either.

AdrianC

cookie_monster_2 wrote: »

there was electrics that apparently don't meet today's regulations

Ah, yes, the other - and even more widespread - standard backside-covering phrase... "Today's regulations" means the 17th edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations, introduced in 2008 and amended in 2011. ONLY wiring that can be proven to have been installed and certified since 2011 will meet "today's regulations"... Having the entire wiring tested and, quite probably, modified every time the regs change would be a tad overkill.

I wonder whether there's mileage in a sticky, "Standard survey phrases to ignore".

ToasterScheme

Whilst its very common for 'survey speak' to be alarmist where 'there is no evidence of a problem', I don't think that it's quite as simple here. There IS some evidence that there MAY be a real issue:

cookie_monster_2 wrote: »

Whilst the condition of these ties cannot be properly ascertained without opening up the structure, when considering the properties construction, age and exposure, and the horizontal cracks on the two storey off shoot a more detailed inspection is recommended.

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So OP is probably being wise, not naive.

Gordon_Hose

Don't think anyone called her naive?

cookie_monster_2

I didn't even pick up on that phrase myself toaster - but yes I guess that does look potentially bad.


It's funny, we're buying a property over one hundred years old and ALL of the problems are with the two storey extension at the back which was built around 1970. There's also a single storey extension which causes some problems too.

ampersand

If OP's in an area where water abstraction permits and blue clay striation/dessication are issues i.e. The Fens[which I know something about over decades] she is right to have worries over those cracks, a possible source of deeper worry.

However, there are many old worker cottages along the banks of several rivers here, that have VERTICAL cracks, but stay up and are lived in....
Movement is something I'm wary of round here.

cookie_monster_2

It's near a river but I wouldn't say close in my estimations. Granted just outside the house is a big forest and at the bottom of the forest there is water leading to the river.

ampersand

Don't force yourself to worry needlessly.

You mentioned 'cracks', but here they relate to excessive water abstraction drying out the deep blue clay.

Unless I've missed sth, I don't see your answer to this-
'Bit confused by this: 'as we paid full asking price and that was subject to survey.'
Does this mean you said[to who? - vendor or agent?] you would pay f.a.p. ONLY if survey was clear?'

cookie_monster_2

Yes, I told the EA that we were offering full market price on the condition that nothing serious came up on the survey. We have taken on some extra costs ourselves that we aren't bothered about fixing up in the near future:


- Roof needs replacing on the two extensions
- Outside stone walls needs completely rebuilding as it is bulging significantly






I do see where people are coming from saying that the surveyor valued it at that much but he isn't the one paying for it, we are. We don't think it is worth that plus thousands of pounds of extra work on top. As simple as that really. I really don't want it to cost that much and that is why I am getting more than one estimate as I am hoping, and praying, that it isn't serious.

m_13

I think your problem could be that the property is worth that value with the problems that the surveyor identified. We are buying a wreck. We exchanged today (hurrah). It needs complete rewiring, has no heating or hot water, rotten windows and single storey extension that is pulling away from the house and needs demolishing. However, the price we are paying is the value of the house that needs all that work. If you don't think it's worth what the valuer valued it at that's a personal judgement and not something that you force the sellers to agree with. Has your mortgage company but a retention on the mortage?