Building Survey - lots of further investigations required!

Caz99

Hello,

We are buying an old 3 bed semi (built 1900) in London.

We got a building survey and the survey showed significant damp in the walls - it seems that although there is a damp proof course, the roof, chimney stacks and drainpipes needs fixing/repointing/rendering/tiles replaced etc, and it seems (to me) that this is the most likely cause of the damp. There are also other bits and pieces (less significant than damp, such as a light switch in the bathroom which is againt current regs and wonky floors (there was subsidence but the house was underpinned, the surveyor says however that the wonky floors may make it difficult to re-sell - i think it adds character!), put ventilation grills in etc.

I have got an informal quote from a roofer (he wouldn't come to the property pre-puchase but gave me a ball park figure), I would be happy to go ahead, I spoke with my brother who used to do a bit of labouring/roofing building work and he reckons the damp can be resolved once the roof/drainpipes etc, but the survey also says we should get the following done:

1. dampness, timber decay and wood beetle infestation report (although the survey says no evidence of wood decay or beetles)
2. get electrics inspected by electrical engineer (although no issue with electrics noted in report other than a light switch installed inside bathroom)
3. get central heating checked by heating engineer (although no issues noted with the gas combi boiler already in property)
4. get CCTV drains inspection (although no drain issues noted)
5. get gas appliances checked

my question is, do building surveys typically recommend more additional inspections than are really required? I can't understand why we are being strongly advised to spend all this extra dosh on these additional reports - although it is an old house, it is in occupation by a family and it is nicely kept internally. My other half thinks we should go ahead with all these extra reports though and it is causing some heated discussions!

does anyone have any experience with this? views/advice would be much appreciated.
thank you

Caz

tberry6686

Sounds like typical surveyor butt covering.

Owain_Moneysaver

I'm surprised the surveyor hasn't also recommended specialist inspections for asbestos, legionnaire's disease, radon gas, japanese knotweed, bats and great crested newts.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

I'm surprised the surveyor hasn't also recommended specialist inspections for asbestos, legionnaire's disease, radon gas, japanese knotweed, bats and great crested newts.

Also whether it's built on a plague pit/gypsy burial site/was cursed by a local witch in 1623 etc.

You don't have to do all those works at once; budget for one structural job per year. Guttering/drain pipes are probably the cheapest and easiest to sort.

lxpeanut

Caz99 wrote: »

but the survey also says we should get the following done:

1. dampness, timber decay and wood beetle infestation report (although the survey says no evidence of wood decay or beetles)
2. get electrics inspected by electrical engineer (although no issue with electrics noted in report other than a light switch installed inside bathroom)
3. get central heating checked by heating engineer (although no issues noted with the gas combi boiler already in property)
4. get CCTV drains inspection (although no drain issues noted)
5. get gas appliances checked

Mine recommends exactly the same. I have only ordered a damp report (the timber and beetle stuff is just part of the package) as that is the only actual issue that was picked up.

Hoploz

You clearly love the house and have taken a pragmatic view.

You don't have to do any kind of survey at all, only what is required by your lender if you are taking out a mortgage.

I would say to anyone buying a house of this age that there will be some imperfections, some require fixing, others you just live with. You obviously already realise this.

nubbins

Yep, another classic change clients name and address on old report and resend, £500 thankyou very much :beer:


I would be proceeding without any further inspections on this one!