Who foots the bill for additional surveys?

Ithaca

When we sold our house our buyers' survey recommended a damp report.

They chose one of the well-known local damp survey firms so I was fearing the worst, but in the end the bloke came round and was only in the house for 3 minutes (literally, I timed it). He shoved the damp meter in the wall and said "yep, it's a bit damp but that because we're in the kitchen and you probably don't open your windows enough when you boil the kettle" and off he went.

Cost our buyers min. £80 which works out at £960/hour (nice work if you can get it!).

DRP

tilley2904 wrote: »

Buyers now want:
Damp & timber survey (EA says will get 'Freebie' which to me means it will be a company who also carry out remedial works for damp, surprise surprise)
Gas & electrics safety certificate
CCTV drainage report
Possibly a builder to come and look at Windows and doors which may or may not have lintels

At least 3 of those inspections will be coming from people who have an interest in finding work to carry out. I'd be less concerned about paying for surveys, than the buyer/EAs expectation that you will be reducing the sale price to reflect the work 'required'.

I'm not normally a knee-jerker, but I would be telling the buyers where to go* - they sound like trouble even at this early stage (not really that early, but after 7 weeks they don't sound like they're in much of a hurry).



*or at least being very firm that you won't be negotiating any further on price.

lewishardwick

Im in the process of buying. My Homebuyer report flagged up gas/electric safety. The electrics are new and I have a copy of the installations certs and liability (the vendors partner is an electrician). Just so happens the it wasn't to hand for the survey. Gas, hmm I'll probably get someone to recommission the boiler to be safe, but to be honest, the heating has been fully functional at every visit.

The biggest pain was a wall tie survey. It was also the biggest concern. This was carried out by a company who provided remedial works so it was always going to be a bit bias. However I found them to be very helpful and honest to the vendor and I. the exiting wall ties are perfectly fine, they are just not in the correct pattern for what they would expect. It's a 1960's house so cant really appropriate blame to any recent owner.

I would politely suggest that if they want the surveys, then they pay. However, if may just delay you by another 3-4 weeks. If you're not prepared to wait, re-market.

AnotherJoe

7 weeks and a discount for a quick sale ?Put it back on the market unless there are some issues you are aware of, let's say damp or whatever.

glasgowdan

Buyers pay for these surveys, end of.

[Deleted User]

If I was you, I'd be reading the EA's paperwork very carefully and noting how soon I could get rid of them.