Confused about whether to go for a home buyers report or full structural survey?

*katie*

Hi all,

As per the title, I am currently trying to decide which is the best option to go with.

The house I would like to buy is a small two bed terrace. Not sure when it was built exactly but I would guess that it's Victorian era, so over 100 years old. It is brick built and there are no obvious cracks anywhere. It has been extended to add a conservatory.

Any ideas? I feel like there is a lot of conflicting advice out there about these reports. My instinct is to play it safe and go with the full structural, but the surveying company and others have told me it's not necessary - please does anyone have any advice?

camptownraces

Full structural survey for any Victorian building.

trailingspouse

Much depends on your own level of knowledge. When we bought our current house (Edwardian) we didn't get the structural survey done, because we knew it needed to be totally renovated (and as this was my 4th full renovation I didn't feel the report would tell me anything I didn't know). I also preferred to put the money towards doing the work rather than paying for the survey.

But if you're new to all this or not sure of yourself, then go for the structural survey - it will put your mind at ease.

Cakeguts

Full structural survey because they don't only pick up on faults when you buy but the indicate what might need to be repaired in the future so you shouldn't get any nasty surprises.

Hoploz

I don't tend to get surveys done myself but if you want the extra info get a full structural survey as you'll get far more info than a homebuyers which is essentially a tick box system.

My advice is to shop around though. Prices will vary considerably (and don't rely on your mortgage lender's surveyor as they often don't offer the option) I've had quotes from £500-£2000 for the same survey in the past. Last time I got a full survey (2007) I had it done for £400 when the lender's surveyor wanted £350 for just the homebuyers.

DigForVictory

Me, I get a full structural off a RICS named bod every time.

It not only gives me solid ammo to negotiate the house price with, it also gives me a traffic light list of must do, recommend in a year, recommend in 5 years. So if you can live with that bathroom suite (say) a bit longer, you can afford the full rewire at once more easily.

Worth every penny for the negotiating position & then for the target list.

csgohan4

you get what your pay for, beware alot of them do provide alot of caveats meaning they are basically cover their own backs and wanting you to spend more money getting more specialised reports like a plumbing or electrical survey e.t.c

teddysmum

No visible cracks does not mean that there is no subsidence. My in-laws lived in an Edwardian terrace for about 5 years before a ground floor to upstairs ceiling crack appeared, one day.


My brother-in-law is a PhD geologist, who happened to have ground maps and was able to prove that the 'Coal Board' was responsible.


The result was that one by one the whole terrace was temporarily rehomed while each house was treated , at no expense to the residents who got a cosy few weeks in a nice semi.

*katie*

DigForVictory wrote: »

Me, I get a full structural off a RICS named bod every time.

It not only gives me solid ammo to negotiate the house price with, it also gives me a traffic light list of must do, recommend in a year, recommend in 5 years. So if you can live with that bathroom suite (say) a bit longer, you can afford the full rewire at once more easily.

Worth every penny for the negotiating position & then for the target list.

csgohan4 wrote: »

you get what your pay for, beware alot of them do provide alot of caveats meaning they are basically cover their own backs and wanting you to spend more money getting more specialised reports like a plumbing or electrical survey e.t.c

teddysmum wrote: »

No visible cracks does not mean that there is no subsidence. My in-laws lived in an Edwardian terrace for about 5 years before a ground floor to upstairs ceiling crack appeared, one day.


My brother-in-law is a PhD geologist, who happened to have ground maps and was able to prove that the 'Coal Board' was responsible.


The result was that one by one the whole terrace was temporarily rehomed while each house was treated , at no expense to the residents who got a cosy few weeks in a nice semi.

Thanks a lot for your responses everyone. I called the surveying company today and they again tried to talk me into the homebuyers. It also appears I have misunderstood what the other report is - apparently it is a 'building survey', not a structural report.

Am I correct in thinking that I will need to organise my own structural report outside of the surveying company used by the mortgage lender? Please does anyone have any ideas about how to do this and what the costs might be? Will they still be able to advise on other issues? And will I still need to book a valuation through the company used by the mortgage lender?

Apologies for the questions, have the estate agent on my back about this now too

david1951

*katie* wrote: »

Thanks a lot for your responses everyone. I called the surveying company today which surveying company? the mortgage lenders? and they again tried to talk me into the homebuyers why?. It also appears I have misunderstood what the other report is - apparently it is a 'building survey', not a structural report. sort of. It essentially looks in more detail at everything. The homebuyers will still cover structural aspects.

Am I correct in thinking that I will need to organise my own structural report outside of the surveying company used by the mortgage lender? Please does anyone have any ideas about how to do this and what the costs might be? Will they still be able to advise on other issues? And will I still need to book a valuation through the company used by the mortgage lender?

Apologies for the questions, have the estate agent on my back about this now too

The mortgage company typically need only a very basic survey - essentially a simple valuation. Let them do that and pay the nominal fee.

You need your own survey, and most people have recommended a full buildings survey for a Victorian house. I couldn't agree more. The starting point is a local, RICS surveyor (Google) - phone a few and see if they've surveyed any properties close to and similar to yours (they probably have).

Get quotes and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.