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Structural survey report - help?!!

I have made an offer on a property but there are about 9 items listed in the report under "state of repair and construction". I think it is because asbestos and ground movement are mentioned that I'm feeling anxious.

Being a bit of a girl in this respect (I am blonde!)... I'm really not sure how significant these are. The surveyor isn't available at the moment to discuss, and I don't want to progress further if these are significant issues (am I about to buy a bungalow that's going to fall down?!!!) Any help/advice either on here or via personal message would be very much appreciated, thank you. Its a 3 bed detached bungalow 1975 approx build.

I will be replacing boiler and new kitchen/bathroom and probably more power points (but hopefully not total rewire as looks quite new, new consumer unit)

Garage has a bit of a make shift lean too added to the end of it but garage itself is standalone brick built.

Sorry this message is so long, but wanted to type it out exactly as it is. Some of it is poor english and doesn't make sense e.g. on item 3 it says "risk of cracking, sagging, difficulty in opening" and then says afterwards "all opened". So do surveyors put in these generic sentences about all of the risks just in case, but then he has clarified afterwards by saying they all opened? Not sure if its just poor gramma/english not helping with my understanding! There seems to be various issues just mixed up together in each section. I have typed it out exactly as it is!!

1.rake out repoint verge mortar, take safety measures due to asbestos undercloaking.Plastic soffits unvented, if overclad not replaced risk of hidden defect (asbestos/rot)
2. Sealed downpipes prone to blockage, fit balloon guard.
3. Support to upvc glazing not confirmed, upvc is weak in load bearing. Risk of cracking, sagging, difficulty in opening. All opened. Fractures under side window. Structural engineer to inspect before exchange.
4. very slight fractures under rear window. Rake out repoint.Monitor. Render will be ongoing maintenance item.Damp proof course bridged by steps. Moisture likely.
5. Protimeter tests did not note excessive moisture. Slightly higher readings were found to bedroom wall at back of the shower which is not untypical. Note moist timber floors will rot.
6. Structural engineer to inspect split roof purlin in loft before exchange. NICEIC electrician to refix bathroom light, ensure all electrics, extension and external are certified as safe. Do not use shared electrics.
7. Fit vent to gas hob plinth. Bathroom fan not working. Central heating pipes laid in solid floor will rot\leak. Repiping can be expected. Solid floors uneven. Risk of hidden defect.
8. Garage of half brick construction which is seen as sub standard but typical for ancillary buildings.Fracture cracking to garage wall. Brick work moves on touch. Rebuilding required. Wall is not safe.
9. Structural engineer to inspect garage. Signs of localised ground movement to shed, patio.drive. Rake out repoint eroded mortar joints to garage. Damp proof course to garage is too low (should be two courses, 150mm, 6" above ground level). Loose garden wall copings. Road slopes downwards to this property. Road drains may overflow. Garden and drive slop downwards to property. Water run off can be expected. Risk of sub floor defect. Flat roods fail suddenly.

Comments

  • Hoploz
    Hoploz Posts: 3,888 Forumite
    You're right, it reads very badly, all jumbled up!
    But the contents are as I would expect for the age if the building. Doesn't sound like its falling down ... Although the garage is!
    Most of these items are general maintenance points rather than catastrophic.
    Get the electrics tested as suggested.
    I wouldn't bother paying a structural engineer to inspect the garage - a builder could sort it, or you might demolish it
    Ask when the windows were replaced as they might have a certificate which would indicate they've been supported, but more than likely they were done years ago so there won't be one. This could be problematic with cracking etc.
  • rosie383
    rosie383 Posts: 4,981 Forumite
    As for the windows being difficult to open, but all opened... think of a screw top jar. Difficult to open, but it gets opened in the end.
    Father Ted: Now concentrate this time, Dougal. These
    (he points to some plastic cows on the table) are very small; those (pointing at some cows out of the window) are far away...
    :D:D:D
  • Thanks, so far for your comments. Will definitely need someone to look at the garage then, I have a 2-year old so don't want to risk something collapsing on her. Plus, I will need to go back to vendors with a revised offer if it does need demolishing!! I think....?
  • Nothing there that is worrying in my opinion.
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