Surveyors nominated by insurers

Knid

Hello all. Another first time poster seeking advice I'm afraid!

We're currently going through a grindingly protracted process to try and get insurance company and their adjustors/contractors to admit fault and fix up the results of some work done back in 2013. In short: they fixed subsidence cracks on SE London victorian house, and immediately afterwards we began developing severe damp, something that had never been an issue in the house before the work. We're convinced it's the render and plaster they used, they deny this. Have gone through ombudsman complaint, and the ombudsman's final ruling is that the insurers must now pay for a surveyor to assess the situation, and the surveyor will make a binding ruling on whether they are at fault. Insurers (well, the adjustors) to nominate four surveyors from which we then select one.

So the question is: what are the questions to ask the prospective surveyors in order to pick the best, most honest, least-!!!!!!ing-about, least-likely-to-side-with-a-big-company-that-gives-them-regular-work option of the four? I'm in no way technically minded (though learning a lot about moisture and various rendering processes!), so all advice is super appreciated. Just want this over with because we're currently unable to sell or rent the place until it's all dealt with. Thanks in advance...

eddddy

So it sounds like an RICS Chartered Surveyor will be instructed as a 'Joint Sole Expert' or something similar - is that right?

TBH, I think the top priority is to ensure that the building surveyor specialises in building defects. Check their websites to see if they specifically say they are building defect specialists, with experience in period properties. Maybe ask about the type of projects they typically do.

Also, ask whether removing some plaster and/or digging holes would assist with diagnosis (and who would cover costs of making good etc).

The most important thing is that they diagnose the problem correctly. It won't help if they tell the insurance co to re-plaster, if that doesn't solve the problem.

david1951

As above - try to get a local surveyor that also has experience with the problem at hand. I would speak to them on the phone and see if they know much about the houses on your road, the building materials used, etc. Then ask if they have experience being a Joint Sole Expert with building defects (or just do 'bog-standard' house buying surveys).

Knid

Thanks both, sage advice all round - especially to remember that the right diagnosis is more important than the "winning" diagnosis. Easy to get caught up in battling the insurance company especially when they drag their heels all the time, but you're right: there's no point winning the battle if it doesn't get your house fixed up properly.