Choosing a Building Surveyor

JinnyN

Hello MSE Community,

My first post here after using this site as a mortgage adviser. I couldn't find anything on the main site or the forums and was wondering if someone would mind giving me some more advice.

So here goes..

My partner and I are first time buyers. We've had our full mortgage offer accepted and sent through.

The Mortgage Valuation report has just come through and there are some concerns on it - the valuer has said the property is "in acceptable condition for lending purposes" but that there is some maintenance, repair or upgrading that will be required.

It is a Victorian mid-terraced house. The concerns in brief are that windows appear defective, possible penetrating damp and a couple of other bits.

I was wondering if anyone knew the best way to source an independent Buildings survey? I've heard sometimes they can be affiliated with other companies and not necessarily impartial. As much as i don't want anything left unnoticed, i also don't want someone to way over-quote as that's more stress for us and unfair to the Vendor.

My next question is: Is it unreasonable to hold of instructing the solicitor (we have one now and all the paperwork ready to send back to them) to avoid costs?
I'm thinking we should see the results of the survey before we spend anymore money - the survey cost would be enough irritation without the solicitors searches if the damage turned out to be more work than i would like to carry out at the current purchase price.

I'd like to add that i do really like this property. It does need a bit of an uplift inside and in the garden, but that'll just be me putting my stamp on it over the years so all good there!

Sorry for the essay length first post, any advice is very much appreciated.

G_M

I would have expected a mortgage adviser to be a bit more clued up....

If you want a survey done, get a surveyor. Either use someone you know, personally or professionally, use a recommendation, or get several quotes from RICS surveyors.

Then decide what level of survey you want.

But if it's just the windows that worry you, get a builder to quote for new windows! No big deal.

It's a Victorian house. They need maintenance/upgrading.

JinnyN

Thank you for your reply GM. Sorry for my poor phrasing above, I meant I'd been using the advice given on this forum as a mortgage/buying advice service. I'd be an awful mortgage adviser!

We have booked a second viewing and are arranging for a trusted builder to come along too.

i guess book in a full survey or homebuyers report depending on the builders views - they'll be more clued up than me.

Does anyone see a problem with that? I don't want to annoy the vendor, I'd just like to find out more and be a little cost savvy if possible.

csgohan4

A house is the biggest purchase you will ever have. Don't skimp on costs, get a full building survey.


Most of all don't use Estate Agent's recommended services. Inflated and pants.


Annoying the vendor is part of buying. Since having my offer accepted and mortgage offered, I've visited the vendor three times already to get quotes for bathrooms and floor refurbishment quotes. He even gave me his number rather than go through the EA for times to book visits.


Sure they have every right to refuse, but if they become difficult, it may scare off the buyer. Ask nicely though.

JinnyN

Thank you both for your input. I'm going down with the builder on Saturday and getting a few quotes together from RICS approved surveyors.

Fingers crossed!