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Advice on surveying a foreign property
mrlukeduke
Posts: 9 Forumite
Hi all
I am considering buying my parents' villa in Spain but want to have it surveyed for any structural issues first, so I know what I'm buying from them. I also have a vision for the property should there be no major issues reported.
I have been in contact with a company out there who help a lot of expats etc so speak English. Apparenty they do "everything" from surveying to architecture/designs to refurbishment to legal/council bureaucracy, and so on; and they do not use subcontractors. Which is ideally what I want.
Anyway... I suddenly realized that there might be a conflict of interest with having a surveyor come in to survey a property on which a "thumbs up" (i.e. no structural issues) would grant this same company more work.
Should I be seeking an independent surveyor, someone unrelated to the architectural company? Or are all architects also surveyors, and thus I have legal/regulatory protection like in the UK?
Any tips/thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
Luke
I am considering buying my parents' villa in Spain but want to have it surveyed for any structural issues first, so I know what I'm buying from them. I also have a vision for the property should there be no major issues reported.
I have been in contact with a company out there who help a lot of expats etc so speak English. Apparenty they do "everything" from surveying to architecture/designs to refurbishment to legal/council bureaucracy, and so on; and they do not use subcontractors. Which is ideally what I want.
Anyway... I suddenly realized that there might be a conflict of interest with having a surveyor come in to survey a property on which a "thumbs up" (i.e. no structural issues) would grant this same company more work.
Should I be seeking an independent surveyor, someone unrelated to the architectural company? Or are all architects also surveyors, and thus I have legal/regulatory protection like in the UK?
Any tips/thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
Luke
0
Comments
-
You need a Spanish solicitor anyway so let them deal with it.
Keep buying the property separate from any plans you might have for it.0 -
I'm confused -- the solicitor doesn't do surveying...
I would only buy once a survey is conducted to assess structural integrity and if there are no major issues.
My question is how independent a surveyor would be who works for a renovations company.0
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