Choosing a surveyor and survey type- help please

love_lifer

Hello all


I've had an offer accepted on a house and wont have to use a mortgage. The house is Edwardian, early 20th century, over 4 floors. The electrics look complicated- messy wiring in the cellar -but apart from that its a substantial terraced house that wont be falling down.


I'm out of practice, haven't bought a house for 24 years- do I go for a home buyers or a buildings survey? And I take it local independent surveyor is best, on the whole?


All advice gratefully received

G_M

Depends on variety of factors:

* the property - general condition, whether cared for or ignored for years
* yourself - risk averse or a gambler?
* yourself - competant with common sense, or a DIY numbskull?

Either rely on yourself to spot, identify and evaluate issues, or pay a professional, or ask a friend to look.

eg - if you took binoculars and looked at the roof, could you spot missing/damaged slates/tiles? Worn roof ridges? It's not rocket science.

Freecall

Many people are disappointed with surveys they have commissioned. Even full structural surveys are usually full of caveats such as 'we were unable to investigate (insert item of choice) fully and therefore recommend you seek independent specialist advice'.

I think that this often misses the point. Having someone check that the heating works, the doors and windows open and close properly, the WC's flush, work has been done to the house which requires appropriate certification etc can be really useful.

Most buyers only actually get to visit a property 2-3 times before buying and it can, in practice, be very difficult to check these things.

As G_M says, it very much depends on your own attitude but somebody who does it as a job will find it much easier to have a good poke around than the avererage buyer ever will.

Hoploz

While I'd agree, it would have been useful if someone had warned me that the toilet was cracked and therefore leaked onto the kitchen ceiling below if used, I really feel I wouldn't have wanted to pay someone a grand to do so.

It is my belief that anyone who has reasonable eye sight can carry out their own survey. There's even no reason why you shouldn't make an appointment to carry it out yourself, with or without an informative builder friend. The seller doesn't need to know who is who anyway.

All I read on here is people who have received survey reports they cannot understand, that give caveat after caveat, misleading clauses such as 'may contain asbestos' along with thoroughly basic information on a property's condition and previous maintenance. I was only discussing this yesterday with DH. The more I read on here the more convinced I am that surveys are a complete waste of money and only serve to make an otherwise uninformed buyer nervous and make a seller irritated by unnecessary delays.

If you think the building is basically sound but you have concerns about the wiring, then commission an electrician's report. There will doubtless be many items which do not meet today's building regulations, as they change all the time, but it will give you an idea what definitely needs doing for immediate safety (need) and what is recommended for the future (want.)

The other usual items on surveys on older properties are chimney condition, roof condition and a bit of damp. So have a look in the loft to see whether there's evidence of any leaks or woodworm.

But that is only my opinion. OP did ask.

love_lifer

Thanks all. That's helpful. I'm handy so not deterred by some work on a house. It's because I'm so out of practice I asked. Think i'll go for the home buyer and consider a follow on electrics report. As long as its functional I have no problem with older electrics


The house has been empty a few months so its useful being able to see everything naked so to speak. There was a funny smell last time I went. Must check that out on my next viewing, as well as paying closer attention to potential problems

love_lifer

or maybe , on re-reading your responses, I'll just get a builder friend to look, if I can find one

Hoploz

Empty houses always smell funny, even when there's nothing wrong with them. Pop the boiler on for a bit and a bit of ventilation and it often goes. In fact I once asked the EA to put the boiler on before a second viewing of an empty property (in this case it was mainly to check all the rads came on as it was old and empty) They didn't seem to mind. By the time we got there they were all nice and warm.

I feel a survey is fine if it is for your own information. Preparation for what you might like to sort out once you move in, if you like.

Other people seem to have them purely so they can find the remotest maintenance lapse to knock 10k off the price.

G_M

Would you buy a 2nd hand car after a 5 minute look? Or would you lift the bonnet, start the engine, and go for a drive?

Since a house costs (say) 1000 times more than a car, why not spend just a little more time taking a good look.....?

I'd make an appointment, take a torch, and ladder, and binoculars, and spend an hour+ there, looking at/checking everything. Take a list with you, make notes, and tick things off.

And if you have a builder friend, all the better.

love_lifer

Im going for my third viewing this week- this isn't a whimsical buy- and yes I have all the requisite items for a good look/poke around. Will decide on the survey following this