Direct valuations - HSBC

Tayz

I'm going through this process right now having instructed HSBC to conduct a RICS homebuyer report yesterday (6th Feb 18) on a property I intend to buy (under a tight deadline so I will be chasing everyone). Typically people only have something negative to say online, so hopefully someone with good experience of DirectValuation can pop a post on, but i'll intend to follow this up with a post after the whole process to let you all know my experience.

In response to this current thread though ....If you opted for the RICS homebuyer report or upgraded building survey by a RICS appointed professional, then you always have recourse to make a direct complaint as every RICS member/firm needs a complaint handling procedure or complain via RICS themselves at the Website and follow 'Regulation> complaints' If valid, this goes directly on their professional record.

Tayz

Following on from above as promised the survey was instructed by HSBC to SDL Valuations (Direct Valuations) who are a management company of many independent local surveyors across the nation. They have access to these peoples diaries to schedule the dates/times of valuation visits and you get direct correspondence with the RICS Surveyor as you have to sign a client acceptance form. The report is then returned to HSBC and copied to you directly. In Basingstoke Upton Crescent house I just recently attempted to purchase, a local surveyor was appointed with 2 days and the survey complete before the end of the following week. All positive from my experience and took just under 2 weeks from instructing HSBC to having the report in my hand.
Unfortunately in this case the entire area in this part of basingstoke is rendered pre-cast concrete frame houses (not obvious as no lines or panel appearance due to render) which the big name highstreet lenders usually dont lend against - so our purchase has fell through unless we have a 40% deposit!...so be aware that any 'unusual construction' (which is anything other than brick/blockwork and a pitched roof) will be a stumbling block to lenders and be sure to ask the question of estate agents early rather than pay the £300 for a report to tell you so.

BartyBoy

It may be a bit too late for me, but I am in a process of purchasing a property and my mortgage broker has introduced me Direct Valuations to do a full building survey. One of their guys (Direct Valuations) phoned me a month ago trying to book me an appointment for the survey, but I told the guy I hadn't yet received a mortgage offer, I said I would get the broker to contact him instead.

The same guy emailed me a couple of weeks ago asking for an update so I forwarded the email to the broker to follow up. Again, the mortgage offer wasn't yet issued, so he couldn't do anything.

Then last week, my mortgage offer has finally come through and I thought the broker has made in touch with Direct Valuations, but when I just asked the broker the question yesterday, the broker was quickly writing to Direct Valuations to arrange an appointment. :wall:

The same guy from Direct Valuations phoned me yesterday saying he will book a surveyor for me and it will take up to 10 working days for the full building survey to be done. Then another 7 working days to get the report sent to me.

And now, after reading some comments about Direct Valuations here, I am a bit worried and concerned. I have been once told not to bother with any surveys because if anything goes wrong with the property, these surveyors will not take any responsibilities, apparently their reports are full of small prints to protect themselves. But then I read an article on a well-known newspaper, the reporter said no matter what property it is, a full building survey should always be done, and this is why I decided to get a full building survey. As a sole buyer, I thought it would be wise to pay a professional to inspect the property for me. I hope my £725 is not wasted... :think: