Survey result concerns...

Thrugelmir

junebug87 wrote: »

Bought as a renovation project by the sellers last July/August, refurbished and sold on).

Sounds like a quick turn around at minimum expense to make a profit. Rather than a "professional" refurbishment.

Cakeguts

dc197 wrote: »

Lethally collapsing chimney stacks and leaking pipes is a bit extreme.
All the survey said was "repairs needed" and "slightly corroded". That could merely mean "repointing needed" and "rust visible" respectively.

I agree it could but you wouldn't expect to pay for a refurbished property and still have to do work like this to the property. It should have been included in the refurbishment. Has anything been covered up would be my worry.

dc197

True. But refurbished does not have to mean restored to mint condition. Plus the word refurbished may have been thrown out by the EA and therefore should be salt-pinched.

Marvel1

I think I would be wary too, considering they bought the property for this very reason, as it sour s like they only done it up to look nice to potienal buyers.

NicNicP

We had a survey done for the house were in the process of buying and there were quite a few number 2's and 3's. Most of the 3's were suggesting we get the appropriate people to check things he wasn't qualified to (gas, electrics, etc) and the 2's were all highlighting things that would need doing in the future like replastering if a dado rail was removed. I think they make points on everything to cover their backs just in case c

[Deleted User]

I'd get a builder round to check on the various points mentioned.., and have a good look in the loft space to check the roof.., only because damp could be hidden by fresh painting and could be hiding some indications something is wrong. I'd get him/her to check the guttering too.

It does sound however like a pretty worthless report that is highlighting all possible problems, rather than indicating real problems. Its a cover my back report. Hopefully.

junebug87

Thanks all - a mixed bag of comments!

We really like the house so we're going to get someone to take a look at the roof/chimney/guttering issues and then get a quote for the necessary work. I guess we just wait and see what they find and go from there. Does anyone know what we're meant to do once we have this information? For example, if they come back and say it would cost £4K to fix those issues - do we give this information to the estate agent and try and get the sellers to fix it? Or would we use it to negotiate £4k off the asking price?

Do you think it's appropriate to ask for more information on the sellers renovation? I.e. a more detailed description of what was updated? I'm hoping this would give us an idea of whether they did just do a good cosmetic upgrade or whether they dealt with anything else along the way too.

McTaggus

Ours highlighted roof and guttering issues too, but in the debrief call with the surveyor he explained they weren't urgent issues but things we would need to consider fixing over the course of the next couple of years as standard property maintenance costs. I wouldn't be overly worried by the report - but I would ask for a copy of the renovation records.

Our property came with a file that the owners had maintained over the course of the last 20 years detailing all work they had undertaken from carpet replacements through to structural work when they knocked through to next door. If they have a record of works done, it may help you get a better feel for what has / hasn't been done and put your mind at rest one way or the other….

MartiMcfly

Unless you buy a new build, you will always get reports like this. No house is perfect.

The gamble is, do you try and play chicken with the seller and ask for money off? I know if I was selling somewhere with a report like that coming back to me from my buyer, I tell them where to go if they asked for money off, that report says basically its not a brand new house- wow.