home buyers report

Smodlet

teneighty wrote: »

Oh dear, that wasn't the answer I was expecting. A Homebuyers Survey on a 4 bed detached should take a lot longer than that, even a relatively new house. No wonder the surveying profession has lost the public's confidence. I am not a fan of the Homebuyers Survey format but this just goes to show that they really aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

There are great surveyors and those at the other end of the spectrum, as in any profession. The one I used to do admin work for did two surveys for us, took at least two hours over each and produced very detailed reports (30 - 40 pages, plenty of photos) for both, no more or less than he did for all of his clients. I would recommend him to anyone in the area he covers. I have heard of others who should carry a white stick!

teneighty

Smodlet wrote: »

There are great surveyors and those at the other end of the spectrum, as in any profession. The one I used to do admin work for did two surveys for us, took at least two hours over each and produced very detailed reports (30 - 40 pages, plenty of photos) for both, no more or less than he did for all of his clients. I would recommend him to anyone in the area he covers. I have heard of others who should carry a white stick!

Fair point. I expect the big national firms to try to rush their surveys and just fill them with standard generic nonsense, especially when they are only charging £300 but was disappointed that this one was carried out by an independent surveyor charging £600. Total rip off.

Of course there are still a few good surveyors out there, I have generally found they are usually local independent surveyors and usually do not do standard generic Homebuyers Reports but use their own survey format, preferably a full building survey. But of course you usually get what you pay for.

hazyjo

jewel226 wrote: »

I have decided to have one done now, its a 50yr old house, I think I will ask to go round with him.

That's not standard, and I'd leave him to it. Can't think that he'd want you there either - sorry!


Jx

john_white

I'm surprised the surveyor discussed the price he agreed with his client with you.


He did tell you he was charging them £600 didn't he?

jewel226

well I just assumed it was £600 could be more, by chance I phoned up the same company to get a quote and they said they are surveying my house too gave the date and time , they quoted £600 for a 2 bed house which we are buying.

AdrianC

jewel226 wrote: »

but I still feel £600 for 35mins work is a lot

You aren't paying £600 for 35min work.

You're paying £600 for a 35min on-site visit, plus travelling time, plus the written report, plus the legal recourse if it turns out there's a problem that was missed, plus the expertise in both construction techniques and in local market valuation.

But, even with all of that, £600 isn't cheap. Shop around.

robatwork

AdrianC wrote: »

You aren't paying £600 for 35min work.

You're paying £600 for a 35min on-site visit, plus travelling time, plus the written report, plus the legal recourse if it turns out there's a problem that was missed, plus the expertise in both construction techniques and in local market valuation.

But, even with all of that, £600 isn't cheap. Shop around.

This is true. But 35 mins isn't enough to survey anything bigger than a wendy house.

This wasn't a valuation report where some "professionals" don't even get out their car.

Thinking about when I bought my house, I probably spent over 35 mins on each viewing!

Smodlet

AdrianC wrote: »

You aren't paying £600 for 35min work.

You're paying £600 for a 35min on-site visit, plus travelling time, plus the written report, plus the legal recourse if it turns out there's a problem that was missed, plus the expertise in both construction techniques and in local market valuation.

But, even with all of that, £600 isn't cheap. Shop around.

More often than not, AdrianC, I agree with you but have to question your reference to "legal recourse". There are so many get-out clauses on a Homebuyer's report, I doubt many successfully sue their surveyor. If you know differently, I would be interested to hear of this.