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HELP! - terrified by findings on Buildings Survey!
Comments
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lincroft1710 wrote: »Did you know that some of the worst housing in Britain was built in Victorian times, most of the slum clearance from 1950s to 1980s was of poorly built Victorian housing.
Yes, I do know Victorian houses are a bit pants now. Would have been useful to know that before we bought ours years ago as FTBs who were a bit skint and fed that rubbish line "they knew how to build them back them" because they really didn't!0 -
Victorian builds ropey standards at the time,but they didn't skimp on room sizes and features,un-like the modern soulless boxes built today.Official MR B fan club,dont go............................0
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Victorian builds ropey standards at the time,but they didn't skimp on room sizes and features,un-like the modern soulless boxes built today.
From experience, you can keep the features and I can choose my house size anyway. I'll stick with this soul-less 22 year old box I have, but take my word surveyors word for it, it was well built and with good space...for a box.0 -
From experience, you can keep the features and I can choose my house size anyway. I'll stick with this soul-less 22 year old box I have, but take my word surveyors word for it, it was well built and with good space...for a box.
Each to their own, I went the opposite way,new build to Victorian.Official MR B fan club,dont go............................0 -
I have a Victorian house and the walls are basically made of mashed potato (Google "bungaroosh"). It is much like owning a classic car - expensive to run but worth it if you're into that sort of thing.0
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martinthebandit wrote: »If your already planning to replace the ceiling anyway is the possibility of a 1 or 2k more to stick an RSJ in really going to make you walk away?
Especially if the rest of the structural survey is generally positive?
I would be tempted to try and negotiate the price down by 1k or so but probably be prepared to take it on the chin.
Thanks. Unfortunately we are also facing a hefty bill for new damp proof coursing and re-plastering by the looks of it, so it's starting to add up! We will get some estimates for the replacement of the RSJ and try to renegotiate.0 -
When we bought our bungalow there was no RSJ above the patio doors out from the kitchen-diner into the garden. Our builder replaced it, I think it cost about £1000.(AKA HRH_MUngo)
Member #10 of £2 savers club
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton0 -
seven-day-weekend wrote: »When we bought our bungalow there was no RSJ above the patio doors out from the kitchen-diner into the garden. Our builder replaced it, I think it cost about £1000.
Not too bad then. Did the job require the ceiling to be removed and replaced afterwards, or was the builder able to fit the RSJ from above?
So far we have been told they could either remove floorboards upstairs to do it, or remove ceiling. I'm thinking floorboards may be less mess but could be wrong!0 -
It's almost certain the surveyor is giving you worst case scenario, to cover him/herself. Without removing the ceiling or lifting floorboards, they would not know for certain. It's definitely worth having a conversation with them before spending any more money, to gauge their thoughts. Surveyors are often willing to give far more information verbally than in their report, as there's no comeback on their verbal comments!
Personally, if you like the house enough, then I would just assume the work needs doing and use this as an opportunity to negotiate a discount. You'll then be adding value to the house too. Just negotiate a bigger discount than you estimate the work to cost to take account of the time and inconvenience as well as additional risk.0 -
PrincessJR wrote: »Not too bad then. Did the job require the ceiling to be removed and replaced afterwards, or was the builder able to fit the RSJ from above?
So far we have been told they could either remove floorboards upstairs to do it, or remove ceiling. I'm thinking floorboards may be less mess but could be wrong!
He just propped the ceiling up with AKROs while he was doing it (remember ours is a bungalow!).(AKA HRH_MUngo)
Member #10 of £2 savers club
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton0
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