Survey Results - how bad is it?

Scampy

Hi,

Me and my partner have just had a full survey done on the property we are in the process of buying. It's a 1901 detached with some alterations/extensions so we knew it wasn't going to be straight forward and have budgeted for some works. Still as FTBs it is all a bit scary so any opinions from more knowledgable members would be much appreciated (we will of course be speaking to our builder as well).

This is all new to us so we don't know if it as bad as it sounds. There is quite a long list so I'm worried the costs might be a lot more than we had expected and could keep adding up.

I will try to cover the most important points below without pasting the whole report here.

Chimney to be demolished and re-built in good quality brick with a damp proof course and detailed lead flashing. Alternatively the stack could be replaced with an appropriate metal flue pipe to retain the wood burner (we would like to keep this).

Gutters to be replaced (we already knew this so not too concerned, although disappointing that they have been left in poor condition for as long as they have).


Rendering to be re-brushed and painted. We could see some discolouration from the leaking pipes/damp so again not a suprise.


Damp proof course. The original/older part of the house was almost certainly not built with a damp proof course but there are drill holes and plastic plugs visible through the bellcast at the base of the rendering to the front and right hand side but also evident in the brickwork below the bellcast to the rendering along the left hand side despite this apparently being a fairly modern extension. These drill holes indicate that a chemical damp proof course has been installed... There are some dampness problems internally and further investigation and remedial works will be required.

Clearly, it will be essential to make the building weathertight as quickly as possible and this will be achieved by rebuilding or replacement of the chimney stack and repair or replacement
of the defective rainwater goods. However, it will then take a considerable time for the damp affected areas to dry out internally and, in fact, it is quite likely that staining and discolouration will remain as wall and plasterwork will have been contaminated by salts. This is a problem known as salt damp and you will probably need to undertake quite extensive replastering of the affected areas.


Areas requiring further investigation and/or specialist advice

1. Dampness problems to ground floor walls with particular reference to the areas where there is rot in skirting boards.
2. The electrical installation.

Immediate repairs

1. Rebuilding of the chimney stack or provision of a replacement flue to serve the wood burning stove.
2. Overhaul/replacement of rainwater goods and waste pipes.
3. Repair of rendering where necessary.
4. Repairs to double glazed windows.
5. Servicing of the wood burning stove if you wish to retain this for future use.
6. Repairs to defective sanitary fittings.

Thanks in advance for any comments.