vendors want to do survey themselves

illusionek

So I have just spoken with the EAs and they were very surprised I do not want to go with vendors' survey. I was said it is not a standard behavior and having in mind that I just did structural which took 4hrs they do not need to agree for another. After a long conversation, I was told I can go with my own survey if I really have to but was told I cannot expect a clear access to loft.

My structural survey clearly highlighted roof timbers as an area of concern and there was a very clear comment that access was very restricted. Therefore I asked to let me know when loft can be cleared before I go ahead with the survey and was told I am being unreasonable and flatly refused.

I did say that the previous survey specifically mentioned roof timbers and restricted access and thats the reason for my request.

I am about pull out my offer but just thought it would be worth checking if I am being really unreasonable?

jimbog

It might be worth not burning your bridges by adding ' if the vendor changes their mind and allows access to the loft be sure to let me know'

illusionek

I don't really want to pull out but obviously it makes me worried if they do not want me to do damp & timber survey which is very standard thing and are not willing for a particular area of concern to be inspected.

I only asked for a loft to be in a condition allowing inspection of timbers as last time access was very limited due to clutter and I was told I am being unreasonable. Am I really?

Doozergirl

I'm not sure how many people would be willing to empty our their loft for a survey. You're not actually committed to this purchase at present and it is incredibly disruptive.

The vendors have offered to undertake a survey, perhaps potentially resolve the issue. You have turned this down and are demanding that they empty their loft or you will pull out. Unreasonable of you? Certainly uncompromising.

In the same situation, I have the contacts available to me to rectify any problems at the best price without compromising on quality. I would therefore want to examine and rectify the problems myself. Many, many vendors carry out works before putting their homes on the market. Indeed, many houses are renovated precisely for sale. Just because a potential issue is picked up on at survey, it does not suddenly mean that the potential purchaser is the only person that can carry out work.

The majority here seem to be wary of vendors, but any buyer is perfectly welcome to have as many surveys as they like before or after any remedial work is carried out. It isn't suddenly illogical to want to fix your own house to be sure that you are maximising value from it.

teffers

I'm confused. Surely the (very real) disruption and removal of loft contents will be the same, regardless of whether the vendor or the buyer arranges the survey ?

Unless of course the vendor's is carried out from the outside ... :rotfl:

illusionek

Well exactly that's my point. Especially that I made it very clear that this was a recommendation from my structural survey. I am also not saying I want to remove floorboard or anything like that, we are talking here about not fixed items.

The other thing is that the next buyer will most likely ask for the same thing after their survey. So it really makes me think they want to hid something, especially that I was really pushed to accept vendors' survey and that was even before I mentioned loft issue.

fezster

It's entirely possible that another purchaser may not bother with a full structural survey, and even if they do, they may not bother with a timber survey. It's not necessarily the case the vendors are trying to hide something, but I would certainly not be willing to proceed unless they allowed the survey. I think you need to talk to the surveyor and ascertain exactly what kind of access they require whilst minimising disruption to the vendor. Otherwise, unfortunately, you're at an impasse and may just have to walk away.

Lokolo

You stated that the vendors will "do it for you" when asking to arrange one. Are you sure they don't mean that they will arrange a time and date that will be suitable for your chosen surveyor to come round?

If you have a particular surveyor then I am not sure why you haven't just said "This is the surveyor I am using, if they want to do it at a time convenient to them they are more than welcome."

Doozergirl

That's the thing. Most buyers will not ask for the loft contents to be removed. The survey may not be that comprehensive. Fact is, I never understand how helpful surveyors really are going to be when they turn up on site dressed in formal shoes, trousers, shirt and tie armed with a poncy stepladder.

Pull out if it's too much hassle for you, but don't think that these vendors are particularly difficult or that your way is the only way. I don't think being suspicious of people is a great way of buying property; you'll never be satisfied.

Roof timbers are not the most complicated or expensive things to change or treat.

HouseBuyer77

So I have just spoken with the EAs and they were very surprised I do not want to go with vendors' survey. I was said it is not a standard behavior

Bare in mind EAs want to sell the place ASAP, so they will certainly advise whatever they think will make the sale go through quicker (well at least some of them will).