Advice needed for requesting repair quotation from the vendor after survey

cidfenmaria

Is it usual to ask for rectification or quotation from the vendor after the building survey?

We had the building survey report back and the surveyor identified some defects and suggests that a couple of things should be looked at and budget for rectification/repair so that potential financial liability is known before proceeding.

Have made a list, so should I pass this to the vendor to sort out or, I should actually arrange a local trades man go for a quotation (e.g. investigate whether there are concerns and the potential costings). Is that a normal things to do? What should I bare in mind during this process.

I dont have lot of experience of buying house so hope if someone with similar experience could advise on tips. not trying to be fussy just want peace of mind

G_M

The survey was for you, not the seller.

It's for you to decide whether to

* use it as a 'to do' list of repairs after you own the property
* decide to withdraw fro the purchase due to the issues identified
* ask for a reduction in sale price based on the cost of repairs and hope the seller agrees

It is certainly not for the seller to get quotes.

Nor would it be wise for you to ask/insist the seller undertake repairs (which would likely be done as quickly, & cheaply, as possible.

AnotherJoe

cidfenmaria wrote: »

Is it usual to ask for rectification or quotation from the vendor after the building survey? Not from the vendor, no.

We had the building survey report back and the surveyor identified some defects and suggests that a couple of things should be looked at and budget for rectification/repair so that potential financial liability is known before proceeding. Then arrange for some tradespeople, as you have put below, to quote.

Have made a list, so should I pass this to the vendor to sort out or, absolutely not. How could you trust what they said or did. I should actually arrange a local trades man go for a quotation (e.g. investigate whether there are concerns and the potential costings). Is that a normal things to do? What should I bare in mind during this process. That some defects may be expected and trivial and built into the price. And some so called defects may be the surveyor covering themselves for example it's common for them to say the electrical system may need investigation. That doesn't mean it does and neither is the fact it's not up to current specification necessarily an issue.



I dont have lot of experience of buying house so hope if someone with similar experience could advise on tips. not trying to be fussy just want peace of mind

Also understand that if the survey says that such and such doesn't meet current building regulations, that's common since they change and are updated frequently and only a new build will. That doesn't mean you need to change everything to meet current regulations.

cidfenmaria

Thanks above it's very helpful. Have just asked the agent for arranging a check with a trades man on my end, but they said just send the survey report regarding those defects for them to have look first.

A bit strange & feel that they want to avoid this. Is this not a usual thing to happen for the buyer?

david1951

cidfenmaria wrote: »

Thanks above it's very helpful. Have just asked the agent for arranging a check with a trades man on my end, but they said just send the survey report regarding those defects for them to have look first.

A bit strange & feel that they want to avoid this?

I wouldn't send them the survey. It is yours and you need to decide whether you want the defects that are identified sorted out before you continue with your purchase. The estate agent is definitely not going to encourage you to do this.

What are the defects? Can you post the list that you made? Did the surveyor value the property?

My most recent survey said that the render on an outside wall needed to be repaired, and this would cost about £500. At no point did I consider going back to the vendor requesting that they drop the price by this amount, or repair the wall. I just did it once I moved in.

AnotherJoe

cidfenmaria wrote: »

Thanks above it's very helpful. Have just asked the agent for arranging a check with a trades man on my end, but they said just send the survey report regarding those defects for them to have look first.

A bit strange & feel that they want to avoid this?

You should not be asking the EA to do this, they work for the seller, not you.

You have to arrange it yourself.

cidfenmaria wrote: »

A bit strange & feel that they want to avoid this?

Of course they do, they want a simple sale,and its not their problem. Most likely they will trivialize them. Now you've given the report to the EA they are in a position to say they are trivial,and maybe they are, but its certainly not in their interest to say they will cost a lot.

What are these things anyway?

G_M

cidfenmaria wrote: »

Thanks above it's very helpful. Have just asked the agent for arranging a check with a trades man on my end, but they said just send the survey report regarding those defects for them to have look first.

A bit strange & feel that they want to avoid this. Is this not a usual thing to happen for the buyer?

Do NOT rely on the EA for this. It is YOU buying the property, not the EA.

The EA is not your friend.
He works for the seller, not you.
He is paid by the seller, not you.
His sole motivation is to get the deal to Exchange so he gets his commission - if he can do that by convincing ou that the defets are trivial, or cheap to rectify, so that your mind is put at ease and you proceed to Exchange, he will.

Find your own contractors.

cidfenmaria

Someone said I should arrange on my own but I can only get to the vendor from the agent for this because I can't just turn up with a contractor and say we are here to have a quotation?

I have not passed it yet but I'll put on my own words and would tell I still want to check it for precaution. They can't refuse it can they?

david1951

1 - decide if the issue needs further investigation

2 - find a qualified person to advise you on the issue. They will likely want to see it

3 - contact the estate agent and say you wish to have a further viewing

4 - assess the issue with the qualified person at the property

The estate agent can be dealt with purely on a 'need to know' basis. They only need to be involved for step 3, and even then they do not need to know what issue you are investigating.

The more you communicate with the estate agent, the more they feel like they can hassle/pressure you.

AnotherJoe

cidfenmaria wrote: »

Someone said I should arrange on my own but I can only get to the vendor from the agent for this because I can't just turn up with a contractor and say we are here to have a quotation?

Not just turn up, but you can certainly arrange it in advance !

You've jumped half a dozen steps from "i cant turn up unannounced" to "therefore I must ask them to quote me" leaving out all the possibilities in between including the simple one of arranging a viewing along with a tradesman!!

And I'll ask again, what are these issues about which you are concerned?

G_M

Of course you need the EA to facilitate access. The EA might arrange this with the seller, or supply a key temporarily, or attend himself.

But that is miles away from asking the EA to locate/instruct a suitable contractor and arrange for that contractor to attend!