Being a worrywart?

Libra1975

At the beginning of the house buying process (i.e. the decision was to house-hunt!) my partner and I decided we would go with a homebuyers survey when we found a property. We have now found a property and made an offer, the house has had a lot of work done on it, mostly by the owner (who is not a builder) because of this I am now thinking we should get a building survey to make sure the work he has done is up to standard (he has all the building reg documentation done apparently). My partner is wavering on this as so many people have said that a building survey is overkill. Also our mortgage advisor has said to get the survey done seperately from the mortgage valuation as we ould pay extra for the bank to do it and it would be better to get an idependent view.
So!
Am I being a worrywart for wanting a building survey?
Is it better to get an independent survey rather than lump it in with the mortgage valuation?

cattie

A survey carried out by the one the lender is using for the valuation generally works out cheaper than commisioning a seperate surveyor, so not sure why the mortgage advisor told you otherwise.

If the work done on the house has all the certificates & building reg documents then I'd personally be content with a homebuyers survey rather than a full building survey, unless the house is quite old & has had some structural repairs or such carried out in the past, or looks in poor state of repair.

silvercar

Our lender could not arrange a full structural survey along with the valuation, they could only tie-in homebuyers reports.

I would get a full survey, this is the biggest purchase you will make (until the next house!), better to have peace of mind.

Having had both at various times in the past, I think you get more out of a full survey. A homebuyer's report is covered with too many caveats.

You could get the structural survey done before paying for the mortgage valuation and then decide whether to go ahead based on the survey.

marybishop

Definitely agree with Silvercar - if the house has had major works all done by the owner you need the Building Survey. There'll be too many ifs and buts in the HB so you'll be left wondering. And make sure the vendor can produce the relevant paperwork as a condition of the sale and be wary if they can't.

Doozergirl

So do you need a Building Survey if the house hasn't had major works done If you were going to have a Building Survey done anyway, then fine, but I can't see the logic in having one because the owner carried out work and has building control sign off?

I'd be happy with a Homebuyers and a raft of guarantees!

Libra1975

What do you mean by a raft of guarantees?

Doozergirl

Well, if you have work carried out then much of it should normally be under some kind of guarantee, even a limited one - plumbing, electrics, roof, damp, windows blah, blah... You can even purchase cover for kitchen units but any buyer of mine can whistle for that - that's what household insurance is for!

regularsaver1

Doozergirl - our full suvey was done on Friday. He was there for 3 and a half hours. Decided full structural as it wasn't too much extra and ya never know! it is a big purchase.

We actually met the vendors at weekend as we had to discuss what furniture was part of the deal for the solicitors

Jason74

To be honest, you are probably worrying a little more than you need to as others have said. Having said that, as one prone to worry myself, I know that peace of mind is important.

With that, I'd probably go for the building survey. The cost compared to a homebuyers is "only" an extra few hundred quid, which is noting in the context of the cost of a property. You will then know exactly what you're buying, and if you're a natural worrier that is a very valuable thing

Libra1975

cattie wrote: »

A survey carried out by the one the lender is using for the valuation generally works out cheaper than commisioning a seperate surveyor, so not sure why the mortgage advisor told you otherwise.

Has something to do with the fact the banks will take a cut of the surveyor fee as they have recommended him and hence it will cost us more and it would be better to hirer a locally recommended surveyor.