Purchasing house - crack in wall

d15_2

I have found a few local engineers who have quoted me for some prices for a ;

Quote 1
Specific structure report £200
Full structure report £360

Quote 2
Structure report of up to 6 items £250

Is this about right?

Also, what qualifications etc should the engineer have to make the report valid? Any questions I should be asking the engineer before hand?

Thanks again for all your help.

dc197

If you are in the south east of England then those quotes sound very cheap.
I should think you want some who has a degree in engineering and who is a member of a governing body, e.g. RICS.

d15_2

I am in the Midlands.

Engineers have engineering qualifications and a number of years exerience but I don't think they are RICS though, is this essential?

dc197

No not essential, any more than it's essential to use a plumber who is part of the plumbing guild.
Have a look at the RICS website to see the advantages of using a member.

d15_2

Will have a look, thanks.

On a separate note should my solicitor be organising this?

I had been waiting to get the all clear from the lender before I had thought to instruct my solicitor to start his conveyancing... The thing is they want about 50% of their fees upfront so I have held up instructing them yet (plan was to do it after this Easter break).

Would it be better to get my structure report done first then start the conveyancing? As if any thing major does show up at this stage I may not want to proceed (saving me the solicitor fees).

Sorry if these questions are obvious to answer - I am a first time buyer so this is all new to me.

dc197

You can organise all the survey's yourself. A solicitor could but may change you to do it.
I would instruct a solicitor now but tell them to hold off from doing anything until you give the go ahead. This saves time rushing to instruct when everthing has the all clear.
Alternatively If reducing risk is more important than increasing speed, instruct each person in sequence.

If you abort the sale the convenancer will charge you a fraction of their full fee based on what work they have already done. That fraction varies by solicitor.

dc197

May *charge* you.
Sorry, small phone keyboard.