Home Buyers or Full Survey for a Barn Conversion??

dadio77

Hi All,


I've spoken to three surveyors, and two have advised/told me that I need a full Building Survey for a barn conversion I am purchasing. The other said a HB report would be fine (and he was surveying my house in another area, rather than quoting for the work).


As far as I know, the barn was converted less than 10 years ago, and has no listing etc. - here is the link:


http://www.bartlams.co.uk/component/property/DR00022124


Any advice on what the best course is would be appreciated, as the cost of a full survey is around double (although I appreciate either is a tiny amount of the purchase price, I don't really want to spend money I don't need to).


Many thanks!

Bossypants

Personally when buying anything other than a flat I would have a full structural survey done. In the greater scheme of things it's not that much more expensive for (relative) peace of mind. Especially for something like a barn conversion, where you can get all kinds of interesting feats of engineering trying to turn essentially a very large shed into a luxury home, I'd definitely go for the full structural.

Beautiful property, by the way, I hope all goes well for you!

AdrianC

On that, I'd probably be happy with a minimal survey. It's not exactly been knocked-up-by-numbers by a pile-'em-high national housebuilder, so the risk of poor quality is lowered. It's also not likely to have been a one-off by somebody trying to skimp on costs to keep within their unrealistic Kevin-fuelled dreams. It's probably been reasonably well done by a mid-size firm as part of a larger conversion development.

DaftyDuck

I have looked at the photos and, without question, I would want a full structural survey.


Possibly insufficient roof drainage (pic 2), query lintel r.h.s (pic 3), tying of new roof to older timbers (pic... lost count, bedroom), rear, possibly insufficient roof projection... can't really say that, just mmmm, again, query sufficient roof drainage, .... All of that is based on vague supposition, but a good survey will tell you more about a property and its failings/weaknesses than any amount of speculation that you or I may do.

I agree, it's probably been reasonably done.... but I'd value a good second opinion.

I have never regretted having a full structural, and I'm on something like my eighteenth purchase.

AdrianC

I should have said that I was assuming full building regs sign-off, which would have picked that kind of design flaw up.

DaftyDuck

AdrianC wrote: »

I should have said that I was assuming full building regs sign-off, which [STRIKE]would [/STRIKE]have picked that kind of design flaw up.

... should ....

I do agree with you, but I'm just a slight pessimist. I'm also not sure that a purchasing surveyor won't work to a higher level of ... well, customer satisfaction.... than building regs.

I've seen plenty of buildings that fully meet all regulations, yet they are a complete crock of predigested comestibles. I've even sold one like that.... not this one I'm selling at the mo, I'd have to say, but a much earlier one.

dadio77

Thanks all, I appreciate the responses - I have decided to go for the full survey, it ended up costing £250 more, which for the extra piece of mind is not much at all in the grand scheme of things!

dadio77

DaftyDuck wrote: »

I have looked at the photos and, without question, I would want a full structural survey.


Possibly insufficient roof drainage (pic 2), query lintel r.h.s (pic 3), tying of new roof to older timbers (pic... lost count, bedroom), rear, possibly insufficient roof projection... can't really say that, just mmmm, again, query sufficient roof drainage, .... All of that is based on vague supposition, but a good survey will tell you more about a property and its failings/weaknesses than any amount of speculation that you or I may do.

I agree, it's probably been reasonably done.... but I'd value a good second opinion.

I have never regretted having a full structural, and I'm on something like my eighteenth purchase.

Thanks very much for taking the time to mention these things!