Surveyor missed major structural defect

AnotherJoe

Doozergirl, if its as obvious "as all that" why was it missed by the valuer and the builders when they arrived and the OP?

I hope for the OP it works out but having seen the extent of caveats in surveys I'm guessing not especially if this was a valuation rather than a survey.

Clutterfree

Erinoco wrote: »

The builders haven't undertaken any structural work so we know it wasn't anything they have done. The company does a range of work including building work but they were originally only doing rewiring, boiler replacement and plastering. We uncovered some dodgy lintels internally which they were in the process of replacing and that's when they had builders brought in. It is clear to anyone in the know that the drop in the wall is old and the cause has been identified and a full structural report obtained. The internal skin is fine so any work they have needed to do has not impacted the outerskin.

Erinoco wrote: »

Because so many lintels have had to be replaced we also need to leave the work exposed for approval. The kitchen and dining room floors and ceilings need to be taken out so they can put in scaffolding inside to support the house so the work to do that and then put it all back together aswell as the wall I guess...

We are seeking a few more quotes and opinions on this of course but the main issue currently is the surveyor and responsibility.

Apologies if I'm incorrect, but isn't replacing lintels structural work?

Doozergirl

The OP has had a structural report done and categorically stated that it isn't the builder.

Replacing an internal lintel, even on the same wall is not going to cause the outer skin of a house to detach itself from the inner one.

We are simply waiting to hear what kind of report it was.

Doozergirl

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Doozergirl, if its as obvious "as all that" why was it missed by the valuer and the builders when they arrived and the OP?

I hope for the OP it works out but having seen the extent of caveats in surveys I'm guessing not especially if this was a valuation rather than a survey.

Because sometimes people don't see things. The builder wasn't being paid to check the structural integrity at all (electrics, plastering, boiler) but did find the problem. That hardly makes the builder the cause of the problem.

There is possibly a link somewhere to the surveyor suggesting wall ties and the problem that actually exists. Whatever has happened, the OP has taken the correct parh, has a full structural report in hand now and there is a serious, ongoing issue.

If the OP has a homebuyers report then they need to go for the surveyor with all guns blazing. If it is just a valuation report, it wouldn't hurt to have a go, considering the potential costs. The surveyor appears to have failed the mortgage company too.

Out of morbid curiosity, I'd like to read the new report.

Clutterfree

Doozergirl wrote: »

The OP has had a structural report done and categorically stated that it isn't the builder.

Replacing an internal lintel, even on the same wall is not going to cause the outer skin of a house to detach itself from the inner one.

We are simply waiting to hear what kind of report it was.

They said there was only one offered with their mortgage, so I doubt it was a full structural survey but hopefully the OP will confirm soon.

Davesnave

OP has been viewing the thread this morning, knows what questions we're asking and isn't responding.

Draw your own conclusions.

Bossypants

AnotherJoe wrote: »

I woudl say, that does NOT mean "is one required because it looks dodgy" it means "is one required by the buyer" and you didn't want one so he ticked the box. There would have been an extra charge for that.

If this was the report for the mortgage, then usually that box does mean 'one is required because it looks dodgy', at least that's what I had on my first purchase. In that case, the lender refused to proceed until a structural survey was completed, which I had to arrange myself and then submit to them.

kingstreet

Can we please stop inserting the word "survey" into anything done for a mortgage lender alone, as it always muddies the waters.

It's best described as a 'mortgage report & valuation' if done entirely for the lender.

Bossypants

kingstreet wrote: »

Can we please stop inserting the word "survey" into anything done for a mortgage lender alone, as it always muddies the waters.

It's best described as a 'mortgage report & valuation' if done entirely for the lender.

You're right, I have edited my post accordingly.

kingstreet

Bossypants wrote: »

You're right, I have edited my post accordingly.

It was general for the board, not aimed at you or anyone else personally.