Survey on an old house

Drachenfach

Could do with some advice here folks.

We're planning to buy a house and are at the stage of offer accepted, mortgage arrangements in place and solicitors ready for instruction re searches etc. The house link is below.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50078252.html
It is an old property (early 1800s) that has been extended a few times, most recently 1970s. I assumed we would want a full structural survey (full building survey?).
Mortgage broker advised we just get a bog standard report and then ask builders etc to look at anything of concern.
Husband thinks this sounds like a plan and will save money.
I think this is a dreadful idea and want every inch of that house inspected. We already know there's cracks in the kitchen extension and the roof is super complicated.
Thoughts?

sean1989_2

from learning lessons on here - i think its wise to have a full survey/ home buyers survey

might cost you £400-600

But may find repairs in excess of thousands that you could negotiate off the price...or decide to not purchase

csgohan4

Full building survey everytime. Does your builders have indemnity insurance if they miss anything or understate an issue??


The extension would be a potential issue, does it have safe foundations since it was built so long ago. Cracks would be a worry ? subsidence?


A house is your biggest buy in your life, don't skimp on a few hundred quid and find your house needs major structural work e.t.c costing thousands.


Since it is that old I would also get a plumbing and electrical survey done as well to be safe.

ManofLeisure_2

To be honest, I don't think the advice being given to you by your mortgage broker is sound. With a property of this age I would most certainly proceed with a full survey.

Jhoney_2

Drachenfach wrote: »

Could do with some advice here folks.

We're planning to buy a house and are at the stage of offer accepted, mortgage arrangements in place and solicitors ready for instruction re searches etc. The house link is below.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50078252.html
It is an old property (early 1800s) that has been extended a few times, most recently 1970s. I assumed we would want a full structural survey (full building survey?).
Mortgage broker advised we just get a bog standard report and then ask builders etc to look at anything of concern.
Husband thinks this sounds like a plan and will save money.
I think this is a dreadful idea and want every inch of that house inspected. We already know there's cracks in the kitchen extension and the roof is super complicated.
Thoughts?

It is a dreadful idea.
The photographer seems to have gone to great lengths to avoid a straight view of fire in pic 4 - looks like floor slopes or chimney is DIY opening the burner door looks like it doesn't close properly and that smoke mark may be a flue issue (bare in mind the roof is complicated already....

All the beams need to be inspected for rot etc - curiosity would make me want to know how the oven hood bodge is affecting the beam it's cut around.

In any event an old property can be a money pit for a myriad of reasons.

Dird

What can they even cover with a full structural survey though? The house I'm currently looking at had a chimney removed 25 years ago & they never got a regularisation certificate at the time to say it was built to spec. It's now 25 years on with no cracks so pretty sure it's been made safe but was still flagged up as a concern in homebuyers report (same as electrics/gas). My uncle (a builder) said there's no way to make sure there's steel in place without ripping stuff out which the vendors won't do...presumably a full structural survey would have the same issue of uncertainty?

csgohan4

Dird wrote: »

What can they even cover with a full structural survey though? The house I'm currently looking at had a chimney removed 25 years ago & they never got a regularisation certificate at the time to say it was built to spec. It's now 25 years on with no cracks so pretty sure it's been made safe but was still flagged up as a concern in homebuyers report (same as electrics/gas). My uncle (a builder) said there's no way to make sure there's steel in place without ripping stuff out which the vendors won't do...presumably a full structural survey would have the same issue of uncertainty?

Getting your mate or a Full structural will likely not be able to knock down walls that is true. But one has insurance and also will provide suggestions formally.


Ergo The vendor might be obliged to disclose work down in the past or potentially lose a sale if a professional cannot assess the structure in more detail.


the vendor will likely say to put it where the sun doesn't shine if you say, your mate says there is a problem can I have a discount.

Dird

csgohan4 wrote: »

the vendor will likely say to put it where the sun doesn't shine if you say, your mate says there is a problem can I have a discount.

Nobody can say there's a problem as they can't see it :P My uncle wrote a letter saying he's sure there's a RSJ supporting the removed wall but no way of knowing about the steel support for the chimney breast...will have to see what the mortgage provider says about it :shocked:

csgohan4

Dird wrote: »

Nobody can say there's a problem as they can't see it :P My uncle wrote a letter saying he's sure there's a RSJ supporting the removed wall but no way of knowing about the steel support for the chimney breast...will have to see what the mortgage provider says about it :shocked:

But it sounds better coming from an accredited company doing surveys, as one from a builder will not cut it, especially if it's to a lender.


But yes I agree you won't know what's behind the wall unless you dig around

Drachenfach

Thanks folks. I had a feeling you'd all say that!

It's not our first buy but the previous one was an ex council terrace. Much simpler!

We've got a fund put aside for work needed, but I want to avoid any nasty surprises.

Jhoney- good spot on the woodburner. They said they run it with the door open cos it's warmer. I expect the flue is f'd. Only the big fat beams are structural, the thin ones in the kitchen and study are decorative.

Csgohan4, the insurance is a big factor for me as well. I want my !!!!!! fully covered before we take this on.

Dird

csgohan4 wrote: »

But it sounds better coming from an accredited company doing surveys, as one from a builder will not cut it, especially if it's to a lender.

But yes I agree you won't know what's behind the wall unless you dig around

Yeah it's all annoying as I've been waiting around for them for 3-4 months while their new bungalow got approval etc. If the mortgage company demands it now it gets awkward as, while the vendor would have to fold then, my mortgage offer expires in December (and I've applied for lots of current accounts since) so I'd need to renew/extend that and recently the landlady asked my sister when we're next supposed to renew our rental agreement as her son had asked about the house :eek: she was surprised to hear we've been on periodic for the last 18 months