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Purchasing house - crack in wall
d15_2
Posts: 7 Forumite
I am going though the process of purchasing a dormer bungalow.
A valuation survey and home buyers report has been completed via the lender.
The surveyor got back to my on the same day and advised me that no major issues had been found, my lender also confirmed on the same day that the valuation was ok.
2 days after speaking to the surveyor I called to ask when I would be getting the report, at this time she advised me that she had been thinking and would suggest I get a structure engineer out to inspect a crack she had noticed!
Slight crack on External wall (which has been repaired)... When looking inside around the same location (kitchen) there appears to be a crack going trough the tiles.
The kitchen fittings are around 15 years old, the current owners have lived there for 30+ years and the bungalow is approx 50 years old.
As its bank holidays etc I have not had time to speak to the estate agents or go to see the cracks myself.
Questions;
Should I get a structure engineer out? What are the costs approximately?
Should I get a builder to take a look?
I will get the estate agents to ask the current owners question on when the exterior wall had been repaired.
A valuation survey and home buyers report has been completed via the lender.
The surveyor got back to my on the same day and advised me that no major issues had been found, my lender also confirmed on the same day that the valuation was ok.
2 days after speaking to the surveyor I called to ask when I would be getting the report, at this time she advised me that she had been thinking and would suggest I get a structure engineer out to inspect a crack she had noticed!
Slight crack on External wall (which has been repaired)... When looking inside around the same location (kitchen) there appears to be a crack going trough the tiles.
The kitchen fittings are around 15 years old, the current owners have lived there for 30+ years and the bungalow is approx 50 years old.
As its bank holidays etc I have not had time to speak to the estate agents or go to see the cracks myself.
Questions;
Should I get a structure engineer out? What are the costs approximately?
Should I get a builder to take a look?
I will get the estate agents to ask the current owners question on when the exterior wall had been repaired.
0
Comments
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If she's suggested a structure engineer, then I'd do that first.0
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We're waiting on a structural survey - ours is £4000
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A specific structural survey, where you only ask them to look at one particular problem should cost between £300 - £600 depending on area, experience or specialities. A normal house with 'normal' cracking I would expect at the lower end.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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Not the same thing, but stator is right regarding price.what'snext wrote: »We're waiting on a structural survey - ours is £400
For the extra that it would cost, I'd get the structural engineer to cast their eyes around a little more, as they will likely know the weak points of such buildings and local ground conditions.0 -
For future viewers, important not to skimp on surveys for likely the most expensive purchase of your life."It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"
G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP0 -
Wait until you hear from the lender whether they are happy with their valuation. If the crack comes up and they decline to give you a mortgage, then you won't have wanted to shell out on a structural survey.For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong.0
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Wait until you hear from the lender whether they are happy with their valuation. If the crack comes up and they decline to give you a mortgage, then you won't have wanted to shell out on a structural survey.....my lender also confirmed on the same day that the valuation was ok.
Good night, last night?
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Morning to you all, thanks for all your replies so far.
My plan of action;
Obtain report from surveyor.
Contact estate agent and ask them to contact seller to find out when/why the repair work was done on external wall.
Obtains quotes to get a structure survey done.
As I mentioned earlier the surveyor initially gave the OK saying there was nothing major to worry about, at the same time she contacted my lender and the valuation was approved and a mortgage offer is due to be drawn up on Tuesday. Question is now that the surveyor has advised me to get a specialist survey done... Will she also inform the lender?
When speaking to the surveyor she suggested that it more than likely is historic damage but she would prefer it if I get a structure report done. Is it now compulsory that I have to get the cracks surveyed by a structure engineer?0 -
Seems odd that your surveyor has told your lender everthing is fine but told you to get further reports done.
The answers to your questions of the owner's must ultimately come via their solicitor to yours. Anything they or they agents tell you directly should be treated as suspect.
Ask to see insurance claim details, if any. That will help explain what, when and changes to premiums.0
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